-^^6 



^76^ 



-^^IsT- 



^^^^,,^ATED HlSTo,^^ 



-OF- 




ofoiA County 



CALIFORNIA. 



Containing- a History <>f tin' County of Sommia fiMm tlic Earliest Period 

of its Occupancy to the Tresent Time, to<,'ethev witli (Himpses of 

its Prospective Future; witli Profuse Illustrations of its 

Beautiful Scenery, Full-Page Portraits of some of 

its most Eminent Men, and Biograjdiical 

Mention of Many of its I'ioneers and 

also of Pi-onnnent Citizens 

of To-day. 



m 



THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY, 

11;! Ada.m.n St., Ciiicm.o, Ii.linoi.^. 
1 b 8 l> . 



^S5^ 



<^ 



V 



T 



•} 



>^^ 



IXTUODUCTORY 



CHAPTER I. 
A CnAPTEn OP C'F.NTrniF.s. 

California Discovered— Origin of Name— Sir Francis Dralie— Monterey Bay Discovered by Viscaino— San 
Franciscan Friars Plant the Cross at San Diego— Bay of San Francisco Discovered— Monterey Founded and 
Mission Establislied— San Francisco Bay Explored —Presidio and Mission Established al San Francisco— Call, 
fornia Weak and Defenseless — Ceutury Ends and no Settlement North of Verba Buena - - . . 4-11 

CHAPTER 11. 

The Kt'ssians at Ross. 

The Russian American Fur Companj- — Razanof Visits San Francisco in 1805 — Fishinir for Otter along the 
Coast— In 1809 Kuskof Anchored in Bodega Bay— In 1811 the Russians Established Fort Ross— What the 
Frenchman, Durant ('illy, said of Ross in 1838 — Ross a Busy Bee-Hive of Industry - - - - 12-19 

CHAPTEi; TTI. 

The SpANIAKtlR NonTTT OF THE Bay. 

After Forty Vears the Spaniards Secure Lodgment North of San Francisco — A Branch Mission Established at 
San Rafael in 181S— Exploring Expedition under Captain Argiiello in 1821 — In 1823 Padre Altimira Visited 
Petalnma and Sonoma Valleys and Chose Sonoma as a Mission Site — Missicra Dedicated as San Francisco 
Solano, April 4, 1824 20-28 

rUAlTER IV. 

The RrssTASs and Ross to a CoNoi.rsiON. 

The Russians Realize Ihey have too Narrow a Fiehl — Will Buy more Territory or Sell their Establishments — 
Overtures not well Received by Mexican Authorities — Vallejo Comniandante at Sonoma in 18:J4 — Russians 
Sell to Captain John Sutter in 1811 and Depart for Alaska— P>idwell and Beunitz at Ross — Fort Ross in 188S 
29-S() 



CHAITEi; V. 

.MEXIfO UuflES Cor.ONTZATTON NOUTH OF SaN FuANCTSCO. 

Governor Figueroa Sets on Foot a Coloni/alion Enterprise — Attempts to Establish Settlements at Pelaluma 
and Santa Rosa in 18:!:!— In 183.j Sonoma Laid Out and made the Center of Military Power and Secular Coloni- 
zation North of the Bay — Vallejo Authorized to Otler C'olonists Grants of Land — Becomes the Controlling 
Power — Makes an Alliance with Indian Chief Solano — In 18:38 Sinall-Pox Among the Indians- - 37-44 



iv CONTRNTS. 

CHAPTER VI. 

The C'ArTi'UE of Sonoma. 

Mexican Kule Neariiig ils EdJ — California Leaders Quarreling Among Themselves — War Expected Between 
United Stales and Jlexico— Americans in a Ticklish Position — What Larkin was Expected to do — What Fre- 
mont did do — Bancroft's Instructions to Commodore Sloal — Vallejo — Sutter — Fremont and Gillespie — Midnight 
Attack by Indians — Fremont's Uelurn Down the Sacramento Valley — Sonoma Captured — Capture of Vallejo — 
Taken to Sacramento — How Received by Fremont Ah-M 

ciTArTER vn. 

The Bkah Flag — Stars and STRirEs. 

Kevolutionists Found a New Government — Hear Flag Adopted — How and by Whom JIade — Captain Ide Issues 
a Proclamation — Lieutenant Missroon Arrives — Killing of Cowie and Fowler at Santa Rosa — Battle of Olom. 
Jiali — Castro Leads Troops Across the Bay — Fremont Hastens to Sonoma — Goes to San Bafael — C'alilornia Bat- 
talion Organized — Fremont Starts After Castro — Captain Montgomery Dispatched Lieutenant Revere to Sono- 
ma with an American Flag, and July 9 the Bear Flag came down and the Stars and Stripes went up - 57-G!l 

rilAPTER VIII. 

The Past and Present. 

The Bear Flag, how male— Names of Kevolutionists — State Seal — General M. G. Vallejo — General .7. A 
Sutter— Sonoma District Pioneers — Native Sons of the Golden West ....-.- 70-SS 

CHAPTER IX. 

Military and Politicat. History. 

Sonoma Under Jlililaiy Rule — Civil OtHcers Appointed — How Justice was Administered — Constitutional C(Ui- 
vention — First Election — California Admitted into the Union — Machinery of Civil Government Set in Motion — 
Agitation of County Seat Removal— Santa Rosa Chosen — Early Court Accommodations — County Buildings 
- - - - . 89-101 

CHAPTER X. 

Location and Topograi'iiv. 

Boundaries of Sononia Cnunty—Her Mountain Ranges — Forests and Valleys .... 103-106 

CHAPTER XI. 

American Occvpation. 

Sonoma a Central Point after the Bear Flag Revolution— Efl'ect of Discovery of the Mines— F. G. Blume's 
Staleraent— First Settlers at Petaluma— Bachelor Ranches— County as it was in 1854— Assessor's Report for 
1855 — First Fair in Sonoma County 107-117 

CHAPTER XII. 

Reminiscent of a Third op a C'enti'ry Aoo. 

An Epitome of the First Year's Record of the Sonoma County Journal— The Geysers in 185(i— The Petaluma 
Hunters in 18(iO 118-l'i8 

CHAPTER XIII. 
The Coi nty Developing. 

Immigration Pours into Sonoma County -Products of Country Between Pelalumaand Bodega— Santa Rosa and 
Russian River \ alleys— The Year 18(it— Land Troubles— Bodega War— Healdsburg War— .Muldrew Shadow- 
Miranda Grant — Bnjori|ues (irant - - - ItiO-Hl 



rjONf Biffs. 



CHAPTEH XIV. 

GEOI.OriY, MiNEHALOGY AND FOSSII-S. 

Basalt Rock — Asbestos — Chromic Iron — Cinnabiir — Suli>luir — Coi^per — Fossil Uemains — Petri fad ions 14'i-147 

CHAPTER X\'. 

MExrcAN Land Grants of Sonoma County. 

ItancUos Musalacon — ^Colate — Giiilicos — Canada lie Pogolome — Llano de Santa liosa— El Molino — Ilnichica — 
Yulpa — Guenoc — Soloyome — I'odega — Blucher — Callajomi — Muniz — Lagnna de San Antonio — Arroyo de San 
Antonio — Senode IMalconies— Uoblar de la l\[isera— Canada de la loniva — Eslero Americano — German — Peta- 
liima — San Miguel — 'I'zabaco — Caslamayome — Cabeza de Santa Kosa — Agua Caliente . - - 14y-lo6 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Haii.ways, Highways, Water Courses and Bays. 

San Francisco and Northern Pacific Railroad — North Pacific Coast Railroad — Santa Rosa and Carquinez Rail- 
road—Public Highways — The Last Stage Driver — Rivers and Water Courses— Bays and Coves— Colonel Peter 
Donahue - - - ir)7-104 

CHAPTER XVIL 

Events in Chronoi-ogicai, Order. 

A Record of Years — Incidents — Accidents — Discove.ies — Developments, etc. .... ]fi.")-170 

CHAPTER XVIIL 

Indian Mass.^cres. 

Ill-fated Sonoma Countians — Doctor Smeathman— Canfield, Van Ostrand ami Borton — Barnes — .Jndson, 
Woodworth, Baker and Old Benjamin — Leihy — Mrs. Sallie Ann Canfield 171-177 

CHAPTER XIX. 

Sonoma and Marin County Agricultural Society. 

When Organized — Its Changes in Organization — Its Fairs and Officers — Change of Location of Fair Grounds — 
Its Good Ett'ect on Our Industries 178-1H3 

CHAPTER XX. 

Nature's Laboratory- The Geysers. 

The Geysers — Visited in ISOri by Vice-President Schuyler Colfax and Samuel Bowles, Editor of the Springfield 
.Massachusetts, liepuhlican — What Mr. Bowles Wrote — Clark Fos.s — The Eartluiuake, 1808 184-188 

CHAPTER XXI. 

Redwood Forests. 

E.\tent of Redwood Forests — Lumber Output of Mills — Colonel Aimstrong's Grove — A ilousterTree — The Big 
Bottom Forests, etc. . - . 18!I-UI4 

CHAPTER XXII. 

Names Belonging to History. 

President Rutherford B. Hayes, Geneial William T. Sherman and Secretary of War Alexandei' Kauisey— Culo- 
nel Rod .Matheson—.Iolin Miller Cameron — Salmi Morse- - - 1!I5-'J00 

CHAPTER XX ill. 
Zoological. 

Animals Native of Sonoma County — Grizzly, Brown and Black Bear — Panther-Fox— Wolf— Coyote— Wild 
Cat— Mounrain Cat— Elk, Deer, Antelope, etc. 201-204 

CHAPTER XXIV. 
Our Flora anm Conikera. - . . . 205-209 



OONrEWTS. 



CHAPTEll XX\'. 
" I.o Till-; Poou Indian." 

The Imliaus— Mission Record of Tribal Kaines— Vallejo's Esliiuatp of their Niimlier— Number at Time of 
American Settlement— Complexiou and Stature— How they Lived— Tlieir Implements— Interview with Cask., 
bel and Jose Viquaro — John Walker's Statement ;;iO-'2i:i 

CIIAPTKi; XXVI. 
General Htstory to a CoNcirPsiox. 

From 1870 Onward — The Southern Counties Open to Settlement— Its Etieft— Sonoma Prospers Without a 
Change in Iler Industries— Grain and Potatoes not Grown so Largely— Stock, Hay ami Fruit Growing— Kail- 
ro.ids Stimulate the Lumber Business— Statistical and Otherwise — Sonoma County's Future '.'H-SiO 

criAPTKR XXVIl. 
Santa Rosa. 

Town.ship History- Growth of tlie Cily— liusine^s Interests- Aildress of Hon. G. A. Johnson— Churches- 
Schools — The Press . 2i3-242 

t'llAPTKR XXVIIl. 

PETAT.r>rA 

Township History— Origin of Name- Chronological— Business Interests— Churches— The Press 24:^-'2(i4 

CHAPTER XXIX. 
Township IIistoriks. 

Mendocino— Clovcnlale— Sonoma— Analy—Boilega — Russian River —Washington— Redwood— Ocean — Salt 
Point — Ivuighl's Valley — Vallejo 2(i5-:i0(i 



^BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES,^ 



A. 

Abraham, Isidore 20!) 

Adams, John 43!) 

Agnew, S. J Cy'SH 

Aguillon, Camille TUT 

Akers, Stephen T3G 

Alexander, J. .M 2T0 

Alexander, L. M 311 

Allen, Otis .SOo 

Allen, S.I :i82 

Amesbury, William 722 

Anderson, L. S (iT5 

Anderson, T. H. B 48;i 

Andrews. Robert 581 

Arata, B 402 

Auradou, J. A (i:W 

.\iistin, Charles 400 

Austin, James 'MH 

Austin, J.S ry.M 

B. 

Baer,G. B 2TT 

Bailey, J. II 4fi(j 

Bailitr,John 588 

Baker, A. .M 729 

Bale, Edward T 70:i 

Barhani, .1. A .'U.5 



Barlow, S. Q .531 

Barnes, E. H fi40 

Barth, Adam T:^3 

Bayler, John .")11 

Baylis, T. F r,7-> 

Bell, R. W ()l(i 

Berry, B. B 818 

Berry, S. B ;i22 

Bidwell, Ira 41.5 

Bloch, George 809 

Bodwell, C. A 008 

Bolle, Henry 830 

Bohlin, F. A" 427 

Bouton, Andrew 477 

Bowman, J. H 497 

Braunern, William 725 

Briggs, Robert 419 

Brooke, T.J 407 

Brooks, Elmout 507 

Brown, F.T 700 

Brown, fl. C ,507 

Brown, John 398 

Brotherton, T. W 331 

Bryant, D. S 338 

Burnett, A. G 400 

Burnham, Albert 708 

Burris, L. W 088 

Butt, Allied 026 



Byce, L. C 548 

Byington, H. W .59!) 

C. 

Cady, M. K 434 

Caldwell, Albert .545 

Campbell, Joseph 578 

Campbell. J. T OOi 

Cantield, W. D 078 

Cary, Bartley 7 Ki 

Carithers, D. N 42!) 

Carr, Mark 41!) 

Carriger, C. C 08;i 

Caniger, Nicholas 009 

Carroll, Patrick 415 

Cassiday, Samuel 2."j8 

(;assidy, J. W 405 

Castens, Henry GT2 

Cavanagh, John 560 

Chalfanl, J. K .554 

Champion, John 541 

Chaniplin, C. C 584 

Chart, Obed .591 

Chase, M. E .' 500 

Chauvet, Joshua .525 

Clark, Benjamin ....412 

Clark, James 532 

Clitlord. Rev. G. B 077 



CONTENTS. 



CoiUlin?, G. R 440 

C'otfey, lleury ('•i4 

C'olgau, E. P.' 00!) 

Colson limtliers 587 

C'orastock, William 40'2 

Cooper, S. K 'UD 

Cooper, K. M 4:)4 

Cooper, James ... .004 

Conuer, Joliu -ilG 

Cottle, B. H 2o8 

Crais, O. W 4i;8 

Cralle, L. J OJO 

Crane, Joel . . .■"'.">(! 

Crane, ]{i)ljert 40.') 

Curtis, J. II 478 

I). 

Davidson, J. ¥. 404 

Davidson, S. E 408 

Davis, G. W. ikE. W 707 

Davis, H. II 488 

Davis, U. S 403 

Davis, \V. S 008 

De Haj' Brothers 715 

Delalieia, H. II 440 

Dfumau, Hod. Ezekial 543 

De Turk, Isaac 310 

Dickenson, J. K 404 

Dickenson, AV. L 303 

Diet/., Gerhard 725 

Drayeiir, A. ct Brollicr 510 

Dresel, Julius 500 

Dunn, M. H 040 

Dunu,T. M 504 

Duuz, C. J 452 



Eardlev, W. J 522 

Edwards, J. L 384 

Ely, Elisha 311 

Esppy, G. T 590 

Evans, E. W. M 450 

F. 

Farrar, M. C 503 

Far(|uar, C. H 442 

Ferguson, J. N 543 

Ferguson, W. W 542 

Fitield, E. J 307 

Fitield, W. E 390 

Fischer, G. F 50!) 

Fisher it Kinslow 005 

Fisk, Kev S. b 541 

Filch, II. D 403 

Fowler, E.J 026 

Fowler, J. E 023 

Fowler, S. C 623 

Fowler. !S.L 624 

Fox, Henry 333 

Frasee, C. b 407 

Fulkerson, .lohii 328 

Fulkerson, Kirliard 327 

Fulkerson, S. T 330 

KulkersoM, T. W 329 

Fulton, Thomas 524 



Gale, D. I{ 612 

Gale, Otis 521 

Gallaway, A. J 3f5 

Gannon, J. P 310 

Gaver, A. P (103 

Gearini;, Charles 717 



Gibson, John 565 

Gibson, J. K 568 

Glaisler, T. S 5. 9 

Glynn, F. B .563 

Gobbi, P. & J. J 321 

Goodman, L. S 702 

Goss, Johu 605 

Grainger, W. C 338 

Granice, II. II ',81 

Grant, C. F 405 

Grant, J. I) 404 

Green, P. F 091 

Gregson, James 330 

Grillith, E.J 412 

Glover, CD 410 

Gundlach, Jacob 499 

Gunn, J. 0. B 540 

H 

llafhl, Conrad 100 

Hall, George 585 

Hall, J. W - 487 

Hall, L. B 487 

Hall, Robert 517 

Haran, Owen 428 

Hardin, J. A 400 

Ilardin, L. A 009 

Harmon, G. AV 485 

Harris, Jacob 4.50 

Harris, T. L 300 

Harris, G. S 087 

Hartsock, Mrs. I. M 030 

Ilasbrouck, H. B 484 

Haskell, Barnabas 310 

Haskell, W. B 320 

Hathaway, E. L 731 

Hayden, E..\\ 440 

Hayne, W. H 445 

Heaton,S. O 028 

Hendri.x, Lewis 020 

Higgins, Asa 701 

Hill, Dickson it Goodl'ellow 454 

Hill, J. M 451 

Hill, William.... 352 

Hilton, W. H 001 

Hinkle, J. B 530 

Hoatr, O. H .503 

Holloway, J. C 530 

Holmes, H. P 728 

Hoist, Peter 582 

Hood, William 3.'0 

Hooper, G. F 047 

Hopkins, S. J 540 

Howe, Roben 017 

Howell, Orrin.' 619' 

Hubbard, Henry 504 

Hudson, David 710 

Hudson, 11. W 411 

Hudson, Martin 700 

Hunt, J. II 444 

Huntley, G. W 481 

Huntley, Will 372 

I. 

Ink, W. V 442 

Ivancuvich, George 331 

J. 

Jewett, D. G 308 

Jewetl. E. G 515 

Johnson, G. A 3S0 

Johnson. 3.7. 421 

Jones, W. D 480 



K. 

Kelly, J. W 378 

Kennedy, G. H 526 

Killam, A. F 724 

King, G. F 0.50 

King, John 435 

Kirch, Henry 431 

Knapp, A. H 734 

Knapp, W. L 583 

Kuu.st, Charles 714 

Kraucke, P. W 5.1 

L. 

Lal'ranclii, Giuseppi 732 

Lang, J.B (io2 

Lapum, Hicks 537 

Laughlin, A. D 450 

Laughlin, J. H 408 

Laughlin, J. M 432 

Lauler, Nathan A; Co 4-18 

Lee, A. G 731 

Le Febvre, O. j>1 508 

Lehn, Charles 5Ul 

Leininger, Joseph. . . 6~<7 

Lewis, J. B 470 

Lewis, R. E 380 

Lewis, W. A 606 

Light, E. H 712 

Likens, Levi 730 

Lippitt, E S 037 

Litchtield, Duraiit 638 

Litchfield, Jlarliu 600 

Longmore, William 607 

Loomis, F. C 514 

Losee, J. A 035 

Luce, Jirah 345 

Luce, M. Y 493 

Ludwig, T. J 370 

Lyon, R. B 711 

M. 

Manion, William 370 

Mauion, W. U 379 

Manuel, II. C 676 

Martin, Jlrs. F. Jlcti 642 

Martin, W. II ..406 

Mather, J 348 

Matheson, Col. Rod 340 

Matthews, C. W 523 

Mayuard, F. T .585 

McChristian, Owen 598 

McChristian, Patrick 5.0 

McClelland, Buchanan 711 

JlcCoimell, W. E (i.50 

McDonnell, William 492 

McGaughev, L. J 401 

McGee, J. Il (iOO 

JIcHarvey, Cliarles 041 

McMeaus.A. C 344 

McNabb, J. II 2.57 

McXear, J. A 518 

Meacham, Alonzo 643 

Mecham, Harrison 084 

Melson, J.R 425 

Merchanl, T. S 66!) 

Merrill, J. P 546 

Meyer, Claus 583 

Micliaels, Augu>l 700 

Michaelson, L. C .630 

Millingtou, Setli 555 

Miller, A.J 420 

Miller, C. S 66ii 

Miller, O. T 51(i 



COyTEXTS. 



Miller, T. B :547 

iMills, A. J 547 

Moore, A. P oOl 

Moore, Koberl 6«1 

Mordecai, ThoiiKis 480 

Morris, J. II. 1' 35S 

Morrow, E. E 574 

Mulgrew, F. B 691 

Mulgrew, J. F 351 

N. 

Nay, S. A 453 

Near,'C. D ms 

Norton, L. A 424 

U. 

O'Brien, Joliu 08!) 

Oliver, J. S U'Jo 

Ormsby, G. W 43:i 

On, .Julius 718 

Overton, A. P :J32 

Overton, J. II 714 

P. 

Paulieco, F. J 051 

Pajre. T. S ()^6 

Parker, Freman 511 

Parkerson, C. J 737 

Parks, I). H 474 

Passalacjua, F 723 

Patty, L. H 570 

Pearce, George 682 

Pepper, J. T 401 

Pepper. W. H 48!) 

Peny, C. A 604 

Peters, A. N 422 

Peters, J. T 482 

Peterson, A. .1 350 

Petitdidier, N 728 

Philips, Waller 575 

Piezzi, Victor 367 

Piggott, .1. K 473 

Pond, C. H 270 

Poulson, O. P 721 

Pratt, E. F 6.55 

Pressley, .1. G 580 

Prindle, William 426 

Proctor, T.J 377 

Puniphrev, A 671 

Putnam, D. W. C 513 

Putnam, T. C 507 



Katkliir, W. G 620 

Hagle,G. J 388 

Kagadale, ,1. W 309 

Range, Charles 505 

Kankin, .J. II 420 

Uasthen. Henry 472 

Keid, .1. B 397 

Iteiners, C. A ,574 

I'.icksecker. L. E 0.59 

Uidgwav, .Jeremiah 436 

l!ol)in.son, W. .J 519 

Kodgers, A. W 358 

Hodgers, J. P 345 

Rogers, E. A 343 

Rose, J. R .579 

Ross. Ijo.nsoTi 55S 

Kufus, Ernst .538 

Runyon, Arraslead 325 



Russell, W. F 671 

Rutledge, Thomas 690 

f^arguisson, Cornelius 557 

Sauhorn, G. N .560 

Savage, C. W 735 

Sbarboro, Andrea 48S 

Scanimon, CM 459 

Schmidt, Peter 727 

Schniltger, C. II 594 

.Schocken, Solomon 450 

Schroder, John 094 

Seaman, J. F 6.52 

Sears, Franklin 517 

Seavey, S. A 391 

Shattuck, D. O 5.52 

Shaw, I. E 459 

Shaw, S. H 409 

Shaw, William 690 

Simi, G 673 

Simpson & Roberts 674 

Sink, W. D 713 

Skillman, Theodore- 088 

Smith, R. P 662 

Snyder, J. R 413 

Soidale & Giacomini 4!)8 

Spencer, B. M ... 334 

Springer, ChrislopI 726 

Stamer & FeUhneyer 065 

Stearns, F. R 5.!6 

Steele, Frank 726 

Stephens, William 705 

Stevens, Lester 534 

Stewart, David 497 

Stewart. D. R 609 

Stolen, P. N 615 

Stridde, Charles 335 

Sti'ong, John 704 

Stuart, A B 341 

Stuart, A. McG 342 

Stuart, C. V 430 

Sullivan, I. W 349 

Surryhne, Edward 690 

S wain, R. ,M 392 ' 

Sylvester, D. n' 512 

T. 

Talbot, Coleman .559 

Talbot, Holmau 507 

Taylor, J. S 4.55 

Taylor, O. A 047 ; 

Thompson, A. J 6.54 

Thomson, E. P 053 

Tivnen, John 462 

Torr, C. L 0.53 ; 

Torrance, S. H 573 

Trapet, J. B 551 

Trip]), 11. L 548 I 

Tupper, G. A 3.55 [ 

U. ! 

Underbill, J. G 3.57 

V. 

Vallejo, M.G 72 I 

Vollmar, P. II 013 

M'agele, Conrad . . .732 

Walden i Co 509 - 

AValls, David 501 



A\'alters, Sol 709 

Warboys, J. W 365 

Ward, T. M 667 

Ware, A. 15 ,5.52 

Wartield,R. H 644 

Warner, A. L 469 

\\'egener, Julius 580 

Weguer, Edward 481 

Weils, I^leasaut 317 

Wells, W. R 314 

Weske, Adolph 535 

Weyl, Henry 443 

Whallon, Murray 656 

V\'hite, Harrison 381 

White, J. H 673 

Whitney, A. L. i: Co 617 

Whitney, A. P 447 

Whitney, W. B 681 

Wightman, Chauncev 504 

Wilbert, P .". , ','77 

Wilcox, W. O 411 

Wiley, J. W 597 

Williamson, J. R 723 

Wilson, J. E : 430 

Wilton, T.G 314 

Winans, D. M 6M2 

■Winkle, Henry 619 

Winkler, Clayton 627 

Winter, T. S 502 

Woodward, C. W 615 

Woodworth, FA 373 

■\Voolsev. E. W 576 

Worth, "W. H 3.55 

Wright, F. C 3.58 

Wright, W.S. M 479 

Y. 

Yandle. F. J 6.55 

York, C. W 6-18 

Young, B S 374 

Young, J. S 592 

Z. 

Zaitnian. William 555 

Zimiuerniau, George 503 

ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Allen, Otis, Residence of 394 

Adams, John 438 

Auradou, J. A 632 

Bouton, Andrew, Residence, Or- 
chard and Nursery of 476 

'Briggs, Robert 418 

Colgan, E. P 698 

Dickenson, W. L 360 

Dickenson, W. L , Residence of. .361 
Glynn, F. B., Residence and Mills 

of 562 

Johnson, G. A Frontispiece 

McChristian, Patrick .528 

Poulson, O. P 720 

Proctor, T. J 376 

Ragsdale, J. W 308 

Runyon, Annslead 324 

Scammon. C. M 4.58 

Shearer, M. M 223 

Sonoma County Court-House. . . . 99 
Stamer & Feldmeyer, Residence 

and Winery of 064 

Stewart, David 496 

Stuart, A. B 340 

Wiley, J. W 596 




i INTRODUCTORY. ^ 



-^&( 







tT first seeming the writing of a county 
history does not present the features of a 
difficult task, but tlie work once entered 
upon, it is found tliat the very narrowness of 
the field but serves to perplex and render more 
intricate the labor. As an integral part of the 
warp and woof of a great State it requires 
great care and nice discernment to determine 
where the shades of legitimate county history 
end and State history begins. This is more 
particularly true of Sonoma County than of any 
other county in the State, for she is the warp 
beam back to which is traceable every thread of 
California history since it passed under the 
dominion of the .Vmcricans. Nowhere else in 
the State is there presented such a tangled skein 
of history to unravel as in this same Sonoma 
County. At the very outset we are confronted 
with four distinct and different conditions of 
humanity, each fulfilling an allotted life-work — 
all living history. Compassed by different envi- 
ronments, and battling with that destiny that 
marks the fittest for survival, each has a claim 
for recognition and Justice from the pen of 
truthful, impartial history. Indians, Russians, 
Spaniards and Americans will each, in turn, re- 
ceive tliat attention and consideration that the 
importance of their respective being and life- 
mission may seem to warrant. There is now 
but a sad remnant of Sonoma County Indians 
left. Soon they will all have passed away. Of, 
and about them, coming generations will have 



a right to expect to find in the pages of history 
some authentic account. So, too, of the Rus- 
sians, who, in the early years of the century, 
and even before the Spaniards had tempted her 
wilds, had established a colony in the northern 
end of the now Sonoma County, it will be per- 
missible to give as extended an account as can 
be safely vouched for as being accurate and au- 
thentic. This Eussian occupation doubtless ac- 
celerated the coming hither of those under 
Spanish authority, and whatever there was of 
friction on account of this seeming joint occu- 
pancy of this territory by Spaniard and Musco- 
vite, comes within the legitimate scope of Sonoma 
County history. Of the Spanish occupation 
and rule, it will be our aim to use just discrimi- 
nation in drawing conclusions between the con- 
flicting statements and claims of the difierent 
historians of that period. For two decades pre- 
vious to the hoisting of the Dear Flag at 
Sonoma, and which ultimated in the termina- 
tion of Spanish rule on this coast, there seems 
to have existed an anomalous condition of attairs 
in California. Under the old Spanish rule, the 
San Franciscan friars had been granted liberal 
privileges, and with indomitable energy and zeal 
had extended their missions coastwise from San 
Diego to the center of the Territory. ,\s the 
honey bee is said to be tlic forerunnei- of civili- 
zation, so too, Mexican immigration seems to 
have followed with sleepy stops the paths made 
safe iiy the mori^ detci-mincl ['adres. These 



UI8T0KT OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



missions, whether or not they filled the full 
measure of expectations in the civilizing and 
Christianizing of the aborigines of California, 
certainly paved the way for the advance of a 
higher order of civilization. These ecclesiastical 
institutions, under the exclusive dominion of cul- 
tured ])riest3 of Castilian nativity, were con- 
ducted with a strict regard to system and 
business methods little understood by the im- 
migrants from Mexico who followed in their 
wake. Rich in herds and with granaries well 
stored with cereals, these missions became pur- 
veyors to the advancing colonists, as well as the 
army of soldiers sent hither by the Mexican 
Government. In this thrift of the missions, 
their seeming strength, lurked the concealed 
danger that ultimated in their doom. As slow 
as had been the progress of Spanish coloniza- 
tion, yet in 1821, when Mexico threw off the 
Castilian yoke, a liberal share of California's 
population were natives of the Territory. The 
better class had received the advantages of as 
liberal culture as the parochial schools of the 
missions afforded, and, naturally enough, began 
to assert themselves as factors in the political 
affairs of the Territory. Mexican independence 
achieved, those here, natives of Spain became 
the subjects of suspicion and surveillance; and 
in this class was embraced all the mission 
priests, who certainly laid themselves open to 
watchfulness by stubbornly refusing to take any 
oath of allegiance to the newly fledged Repub- 
lic of Mexico. In setting in motion the new 
machinery of Territorial Government, as ad- 
ministered from the City of Mexico, there came 
to the surface yet another disturbing agency, 
that gained force with the advancing years, and 
that was a growing animosity between those 
native of California and those sent hither by the 
^lexican Government to fill either civil or mili- 
tary positions. AYith that superciliousness not 
uncommon to those who have basked in the 
sunshine of a higher and more refined civiliza- 
tion, the Mexicans sent hither to fill positions 
of honor and emolument, evinced a contemptu- 
ous regard for those whose educational advan- 



tages and social opportunities had been confined 
to the circumscribed limits of mission and 
pueblo. This naturally met with the resent- 
ment at the hands of the " native sons " that it 
merited. This simply shadows forth existing 
conditions in California twenty years anterior 
to the commencement of American rule, and 
may be epitomized thus: The mission padres 
intuitively realized that republican govern- 
ment was the beginning of the end of the life- 
work to which they had consecrated the best 
years of their existence. The Government of 
Mexico, with an empty treasury, had already 
set lustful eyes upon the wealth of these mis- 
sions, the accumulations of years of depriva- 
tion, toil and danger, and as hush-money to 
conscience was willing to devote a share of the 
loot to the aid of colonization in California. 
The governing classes of the Territory were not 
averse to this confiscation of mission wealth, 
for they had already become used to exacting 
from the padres a liberal share of their sup- 
port — and then the fact that the Padres were 
natives of Spain was sufficient to sanctify the 
rigorous end contemplated. And, finally, the 
native Mexicans had a contempt for native Cali- 
fornians and the latter had a very warm hatred 
for the former — in truth, everybody appears to 
have been jealous and suspicious of everybody 
else. A sorry beginning for experiment of re- 
publican government, certainly I And to add 
to the seething of this kettle of broth, within 
the decade following Mexican independence 
there began to straggle into the Territory, over 
the crest of the Sierras, the hated Americans; 
more dreaded than the denizens from the frigid 
north who had so unceremoniously established 
themselves at Fort Ross. It was a rather cheer- 
less prospect, this, for a Territorial government 
that was constantly receiving floridly written 
orders from the parent government to guard 
every avenue of entrance to the Territory against 
the encroachments of foreigners, with no seem- 
ing thought or attempt to satisfy the cravings 
of an empty, Territorial, military exchequer. 
These fulminations from the ancient city of the 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Aztecs, that were usually months in reaching 
tlie C!alit'urnia government at Monterey, are 
only useful now to siiow how dense was the 
ignorance then in reference to the extent and 
t()pogra[)hy of California. AVhy, a thousand 
American colonists might have entered the 
mirtlicrn end of the Territory and sown and 
gathei-ed a cmp witliont the Governor of Cali- 
fornia knowing anything al)Out it. As the 
years came and went the Territorial authorities 
were more and more brought to a realization of 
the fact that the snow-capped Nevadas could not 
1)0 accounted a safe wall of protection against 
invasion from the P^ast. With but a few forts 
scattered from San Diego to San Francisco, and 
they garrisoned by soldiers numerically few, and 
they, proverbially on the ragged edge of revolt 
on account of arrearages of pay, it is not a mat- 
ter of wonder that California became tlie poach- 
ing ground of hunters, trappers and all kinds of 
adventurers. The drift of such was naturally 
toward the northern end of the Territory. Tliis, 



together with a view of circumscribing as much 
as possible the occuj)ation by the Russians, evi- 
dently hastened the inauguration of military 
authority on the north side of the bay. While 
this must be accounted a very important event 
in writing up the annals of Sonoma County, it 
should not 1)0 allowed to overshadow the fact 
that, as had been usual in California, the cross 
had long jireceded the sword- -in truth, right 
here met, and were planted in Sonoma County 
soil, the cross of the Catholic church, thus far 
north on the circuit of its mission from Home, 
and the triune cross of the (ireek church, re- 
lating back to the Czar of Russia, and thus far 
southward on its mission of pointing weary, 
earth-laden humanity to the haven of peace 
and rest above. In future chapters will be 
found, as nearly as possible, in chronological 
order, all mattersof im|)ortauce relating to Cali- 
fornia, and to Sonoma County, particularly, 
from the time that civilized man first visited it, 
down to the ])resent time. 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 




A (dHAPTBI? of (dBNTURIES. . 



'Sy ®9'®'^^fe ^»»»«^^*^^^^^^^^ 



CHAPTER I. 



CAr.IKORNIA DISCOVERED IN 1542 BV JlAN RoDRIG LEZ CaBRII.M) ORK.IX OF THK XAME SlE 

Francis Drake in 1579 — the wonderful things he saw in Marin County — Montekev 
v>ky discovered by viscaino in 1g03 a complete blank in history for a period of 

160 YEARS THE SaN FrANOISCAN FrIAES PLANT THE CROSS AT SaN DiEGO, J UNE 11, 1769 

IN July, 1769, a party start overland for San Diego to establish a mission at Mon- 
terey — failing to recognize Monterey they continued on north, and on the 2d of 
November discovered the Bay of San Francisco — Monterey was founded, a mission 
established; and from there in 1772 ax expedition started to explore the Bay oi- 
San Francisco — following around the eastern shore of the bay, on the 27th of March 

THEY CAME TO SaN PaIJLO BaY, AND DOUBTLESS HAD A VIEW OF SoNOMA CoUXTV HILLS AND 

MOUNTAINS — IN 1775 San Fraxcisco Bay was explored by water — IN 1776 a presidio 

AND MISSION was ESTABLISHED AT SaN FrANCISCO THE Y'EAR PREVIOUS BoDEGA BaY HAD 

BEEN DISCOVERED ON SEPTEMBER 23, 1776, AN EXPLORATION IN BOATS TOOK PLACE AND AN 

ESTUARY- OF SaN PaBLO BaY WAS NAVIGATED TO ITS HEAD — DOUBTLESS PeTALUMA CrEEK 

— California weak and defenseless — the century ends and no settlement north of 
Yerba Buena. 



fHERE is nothing more attractive to the 
general reader, and more especially those 
in early life, than thrilling narrative of 
danger and adventure in the exploration and settle- 
ment of frontier territories. A desire to placate 
this somewhat morbid desire for sensational read 
ingsays a very great temptation in tlie way of the 
historian to draw somewhat upon his imagina- 
tion for his facts. However palatable tliis might 
be to the reader of the present, it would be a 
fraud upon coming generations, who will have 
a riglit to expect at the hand of the historian sub- 
stantial accuracy in the recital of historical 
events to be handed down to tliein. With this 
conception of what should be the highest aim 
of history, we turn to trace the first rays of 



civilization cast upon territory, now within the 
confines of Sonoma County. This necessitates 
a review of the early discovery and final settle- 
ment of California by the Spaniards. 

Of course tliere is great obscurity, and con- 
sequent contiicting opinions among historians 
relative to who was the actual discovei-er of 
California, and from whence the derivation of 
the name. The weight of the best authority, 
however, confers upon Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, 
a Portuguese navigator in tlie Spanish service, 
the honor of liaving first visited the waters of 
our golden shores and set foot upon California 
soil. Cabrillo had under liis command two 
Spanish exploring vessels, and there seems little 
doubt that on the 28th of September, 1642, an- 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNT T. 



cliorage was reached in what is now San Diego 
liarbor, althongli the name tlien given was 
'• San Mignel." 

Tlie date of discovery, tlms disposed of, tlie 
next consideration is as to the probable origin 
of the name, California. Upon this point there 
is even a wider di\ergence of opinion among 
writers than as to who was the discoverer of 
the country. Upon this subject Hubert Ilowe 
Bancroft, who is in a position to arrive at as 
accurate conclusions on disputed historic points 
as any living man, says: "The name was ap- 
plied between 1535 and 153U to a locality. It 
was soon extended to the whole adjoining re- 
gion ; and as the region was supposed to be a 
group of islands, the name was often given in 
plural form, ' Las Californias.' " Whence came 
the name thus applied, or applied by C(')rtez 
as has been erroneously believed, was a ques- 
tion that gave rise to much conjecture before 
the truth was known. The Jesuit missionaries 
as represented by Venegas and Clavigero, sug- 
gested that it might have been deliberately 
made up from Latin or Greek roots; but favored 
the much more reasonable theory that the dis- 
coverers had founded the name on some mis- 
understood words of the natives. These theories 
have been often repeated by later wi'iters, with 
additions rivalling each other in absurdity. At 
last in 1862 Edward E. Ilale was so fortunate 
as to discover the source whence the discover- 
ers obtained the name. An old romance, the 
Serga/< of Esplandian, by Ordonez de Mon- 
talvo, translator of Amadh of GauJ, printed 
])crhaps in 1510, and certainly in editions of 
1519, 1521, 1525 and 152G in Spanish, men- 
tioned an island of California, " on the right 
hand of the Indies, very near the Terrestrial 
Paradise," peopled with black women, gritfins, 
and other creatures of the author's imagina- 
tion. There is no direct historical evidence of 
the aj)plication of this name; nor is any needed. 
No intelligent man will ever question the ac- 
curacy of Ilale's theory. The number of Span- 
ish editions would indicate that the book was 
popular at the time of th", discovery; indeed 



Eernal Diaz often mentions the Amadis of 
Gaul to which the esj>landi(ni was attached." 
This seems to set at rest definitely and forever 
the question of the origin of the name Cali- 
fornia. 

lieverling to Cabrillo's discovery of this 
coast, it only remains to say that that intrepid 
mariner died on one of the islands off from the 
Santa Barbara coast supposed to be San Miguel, 
from the effects of a broken arm, on the 3d of 
January, 1543, and there rests in an unmarked 
grave. Theie were other visitors to this coast 
following its discovery, but of their going and 
coming comparatively little is known, until Sir 
Francis Drake puts in an appearance, and finds 
a harbor, where he enters to make repairs on 
his vessel, the Golden Hind, on the 23d of 
July, 1579. What harbor was entered by Drake 
is yet, and perhaps always will be, a serious 
bone of contention among historians. The dis- 
putants are about equally divided between the 
Bay of San Francis^co, Drake's Bay (so called) 
in Marin County, and Bodega Bay in Sonoma 
County. Hubert Ilowe Bancrolt, in his recently 
published history of California, seems to be in 
some donbt himself, but as he evidently con- 
siders Drake a prince of prevaricators, he gives 
him the benefit of the donbt, and signifies his 
belief that the harbor now called Drake's Bay 
was his by right of discovery. But this is of 
small moment now, for all the records of Drake's 
visit to the coast are so extravagant and dis- 
torted that the conferring of his name upon an 
indentation in thecoast even as small as that just 
below Point Ileyes was more than he merited. 
In order that tiie reader ma}' judge for him 
self in reference to the degree of importance 
to be attached to Drake's statements, we give a 
sample of what was described as having occurred 
at the harbor where his vessel was being re- 
paired. 

" The arrival of the English in California 
being soon known throughout the country, two 
persons in the character of embassadors, came 
to the Admiral and informed iiim, in the best 
manner they were alile, that the King would 



UISrOUY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



assist him if he might be assured of coming in 
safety. Being satisfied on this point, a numer- 
ous company soon appeared, in front of wliich 
was a very comely person bearing a kind of 
scepter, on whicli hung two crowns and three 
cliains of great lengtii; the cliains were of 
bones and tiie crowns of net-work curiously 
wrought with feathers of many colors. Next 
to the scepter-bearer came the King, a hand- 
some, majestic person, surrounded by a number 
of tall men, dressed in skins, who were fol- 
lowed by the common people, who, to make the 
grander appearance, had painted their faces of 
various colors, and all of them, even the chil- 
dren, being loaded with presents. The men 
being drawn up in line of battle, the Admiral 
stood ready to receive the King within the en- 
trance of his tent. The company having halted 
at a distance, the scepter- bearer made a speech 
half an Iiour long, at the end of which he be- 
gan singing and dancing, in which he was fol- 
lowed by the King and all his people — who, 
continuing to sing and dance, came quite up 
to the tent; when, sitting down, the King tak- 
ing off" his crown of feathers, placed it on the 
Admiral's head, and put upon him the other 
insignia of royalty; and made liim a solemn 
tender of his whole kingdom. All of which 
the Admiral accepted in the name of the 
Queen, his sovereign, in hope these pi'oceed- 
ings might one time or other contribute to 
the advantage of England.'" 

This dish of taff"y secured for Drake knight- 
hood at the hands of Queen Elizabeth, who, in 
conferring the title, said " that his actions did 
him more honor than his title.*' And all this 
is reputed to have transpired close by Sonoma 
County over three hundred years ago. 

The only definite discovery of real merit after 
that of t'abrillo, was the discovery of Monterey 
Bay by Yiscaino in 1603. Thenceforward for 
a period of 100 years, so far as relates to civil- 
ization, complete silence brooded over what is 
now called California. No doubt during those 
long years the aborigines were filled with won- 
der and conjecture as to what had become of 



the bearded, white strangers, who in big canoes 
propelled by wind had come and gone for the 
period of a generation. As common as was great 
longevity of life to those untutored children of 
nature, the e^'cs that had beheld either Cabrillo 
or Vizcaino had long been closed in death be- 
fore that eventful morning of April 11, 17G9, 
when Juan Perez brought the San Antonio to 
anchor in the l>ay of San Diego. On board of 
this vessel were two Franciscan friars, Juan 
Viscaino and Francisco Gomez, with all the 
necessary church appurtenances necessary for 
the establishing of two missions. Aside from 
the crew there were a few carjjenters and black- 
smiths, together with a cargo of miscellaneous 
supplies. The Indians were friendly, and still 
had a traditional knowledge of the former visit- 
ors to this coast. In addition to those who took 
jjassage on the San Antonio, others to the 
number of over one hundred, and among them 
Father Junipero Serra, started overland from 
lower California. They reached San Diego on 
the first of July. It required some time for 
needed preparation, and on Sunday, the 16th of 
July, with all the ceremonies common to such 
occasions, Father Serra blessed and planted the 
cross, around which was to cluster memories of 
the first permanent establishment of civilization 
in California. 

We have neither time and space, nor does it 
come within the scope of this county history, 
to enter into a minute detail of the struggles 
and vicissitudes which followed the line of the 
establishing of missions, and the slow' march of 
civil government up the California coast. Our 
object will have been accomplished when we 
have made complete the chain of Spanish occu- 
pancy from the founding of the first mission, 
San Diego de Alcala, at San Diego, down to the 
founding of the last mission San Francisco 
Solano, at Sonoma. 

On July 14, 1769, Tartola, with sixty men, 
including fathers Juan Crespi and Francisco 
Gomez, started from San Diego for the purpose 
of founding a mission at Monterey. Tiieir 
wanderings were l)y devious and sometimes 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



rugged trails, as they deemed it necessary to 
keep near tlie coast in order not to miss the 
liaven of their destination. But mountains 
insnrnionntable'drove tlieni to lower levels, and 
they seem to iiave coine down the Salinas Val- 
ley and reached Monterey Bay just ojiposite the 
present town of Castroville. Lo(jking at the 
bay from the land, they failed to recognize it 
as the object of their search. The pine point, 
where is now Pacific Grove Ketreat, served to 
till the description of the navigator who had 
tlescribed Monterey Bay, but after exploring it 
by land as far south as Carniello they concluded 
that the bay tiiey were looking for lay further 
to the north; and, acting upon this decision, 
they resumed their inarch. 

As unfortunate as was this mistake to those 
weary, foot-sore pilgrims, tliey had the compen- 
sating honor of making a discovery of more 
importance to the world than the short delay 
in fonnding a mission at Monterey, for on the 
2d of JSovember they discovered the great Bay 
of San Francisco, destined to become one among 
the most consequential harbors in the world. 
But their orders were to found a mission at 
Monterey, and like good Catholics the^' wei-e 
obedient to the mandate given them; and being 
now convinced that that bay was the one lying 
under the shadow of Point Pinos, already vis- 
ited by them, they set out on their return jour- 
ney, and ou the 28th of November again reached 
Monterey, and passing over the hills to Car- 
mello Bay, they pitched camp and remained 
until the 10th of December, taking a general 
survey of the surrounding country. Grass was 
now abundant for their animals, but game 
and even iish were scarce. A mule was killed, 
and its flesh, together with that of the sea-gulls, 
was used to husband the flour that was already 
reduced to fourteen small sacks. At a council 
held it was decided to retrace their steps to 
San Diego. On an eminence, probably near where 
now stands the old San Carlos Mission, a cross 
was planted, at the foot of which was buried a 
document giving a brief sketch of the jouriiey- 
inifs and discoveries of Partola and his com- 



pany. On the 11th they started southward 
following the general road np which they had 
come, and without any serious mishap or ad- 
venture reached San Diego on January 24, 1770. 
While this expedition failed in the accomplish- 
ment of the object, for which it had been in- 
augurated, it is certainly entitled to precedence 
in the very fnjnt rank of all e.xplorations ever 
undertaken by the Spaniards in California. It 
must be borne in mind that the years of over 
a century and a half had run their course since 
keel had furrowed the Bay of San Diego, at 
the time the San Antonio with the missionaries 
landed there in the spring of 1769. It was 
only three months after the effecting of this foot- 
hold to civilization on this coast, and two days 
before the formal inauguration of the mission 
at San Diego, that Partola and his pilgrims 
started forth for a journey of several hundred 
miles, through the wilds of California. They 
were like a rudderless vessel at sea, without 
chart or compass, save that on their left they 
knew that the waves of the broad Pacific were 
ceaseless in their throbbing pulsations along 
California's shore. Of the interior they knew 
nothing. They had every reason to believe that 
it was populous with barbarians; and yet with 
all these dangers staring them in the face they 
went forth and achieved the results already nar- 
rated. To erect a monument to the memory 
of the members of that expedition would be 
useless; for more enduring than marble or 
granite shaft is the Bay of San Francisco, which 
they discovered. 

If we may be permitted the e.xpression, the 
happy mistake of Partola and his fellow ex- 
plorers had added the Bay of San Francisco to the 
geography of the world. It now seems inex- 
plicable why it was not at once made the center 
from which radiated other Spanish occupancies of 
the coast. But it must be remembered that 
California belonged to Mexico, and Mexico be- 
longed to Spain. It can well be understood 
that orders and mandates transmitted through 
the course of so circuitous a route, and so ham- 
pered by all the formalities of red tape, so dear 



niSTOUY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



to Spanisli officials, were very old, and some- 
times of impossible fulfillment when they 
reached this coast. And to still more compli- 
cate matters there seems to have been little 
nnity of feeling and action between the Padres 
who were alone intent upon founding missions 
for the Cliristianization of barbarians, and the 
military who were looking to colonization as the 
ultimate means of establishing permanent civil 
government on this coast. In a double sense, 
it was a " house divided against itself." The 
bonds of sympathy that had united Spain and 
Mexico were becoming strained; and there was 
a growing estrangement between civil and 
church polity in California which plainly indi- 
cated that the twain could not move harmoni- 
ously forward upon parallel lines in the same 
field. Either left to a free territory, would have 
acquired vigor and strength from the very diffi- 
culties to be surmounted; but occupying a 
common field and aiming at cross purposes was 
productive of enervation and inaction. The 
Padres, at first only seemingly fired by an hon- 
est zeal in behalf of the spiritual welfare of be- 
nighted luunanity, were not proof against the 
cravings for wealth and dominancy when their 
llocks and herds began to be numbered by the 
thousands, and they naturally became obstruc- 
tionists to the large acquirement of lands by 
those who came as colonists to seek homes in 
this land of productive soil and genial clime. 

While missions were being founded at incon- 
sequential places along the coast, and inland, to 
the southward, the waters of the Pacific contin- 
tinued to silently ebb and flow through the 
great Golden Gate. Three years had run their 
course since Partola and his adventurous ex- 
plorers had set foot on the sand dunes skirting 
the Pay of San Francisco, before further at- 
tempt was made at exploration to the north. 
And as strange as it niay seem, it was a San 
Francisco bay under the lea of Point Reyes 
that was yet the objective point by the Padres 
who wished to found a mission that would do 
suitable honor to San Francisco, their patron 
saint. With this dominant idea still in view. 



on March 20, 1772, Commandante Fajes, with 
Crespi, twelve soldiers, a muleteer, and an In- 
dian, left Monterey for the north. The Partola 
expedition had settled the matter that the San 
Francisco bay of which they were in search 
could not be reached by a land expedition 
around the west side of the inland sea they had 
encountered. Hence Fajes and his party de- 
termined to pass around it to the east. In this 
attempt they discovered San Pablo Pay on or 
about the 27th of March, 1772. And right 
then and there is probably the first time that 
the eyes of civilized man had a view of the hills 
and mountains now compassed within tiie 
bounds of Sonoma County. They passed upon 
the south shore of Canjuinez Straits, and on- 
ward to the junction of tlie Sacramento and 
San Joaquin rivers; then, turning southward 
passed east of Mount Diablo, going across the 
mountains, striking the trail up which they had 
traveled somewhere in Santa Clara Valley; and 
thence continued on their way back to Monte- 
rey. Considering the number of men, this was 
among the most notable expeditions on i-ecoi'd. 
Old Spain, with a seemingly more intelligent 
appreciation of the importance of this newly 
discovered harbor to her possessions on the 
Pacific coast than had either the Mexican or 
California authorities, became very importunate 
to have it speedily occupied. Orders were 
cheap, but the available means and colonists 
were not so readily obtainable. I'nt Lieutenant 
Agala set out with an expedition from Monte- 
rey, on the San Carlos, and entered the harbor 
of San Francisco on the first day of August, 
1775. He spent over forty days in explorations 
of the harbor, but neither the map nor diary 
of this survey is preserved. Several of the 
officers landed several times on the iu)rthern 
shore of the bay, and mention is made that 
Canizares was sent to explore the noi'tliern 
branch of the " round bay " (San Pablo), going 
up to fresh-water rivers, and bartering beads for 
fish with many friendly natives. They may 
possibly have navigated Petahima Creek, but 
this is uncerhiin. 



HISTORY OF aONOMA COUNTY. 



' The year following, on SepteiriLer 17tii, under 
the direction of Comniandante Moraga, the 
presidio of San Francisco was duly inaugurated 
amid the firing of cannons, ringing of bells and 
all the formalities usual to typify absolnte 
Spanish possession. The San Carlos had just 
arrived, and Captain Quiros, Canizares and Re- 
ville, master and mate, participated in the lay- 
ing of the corner-stone of this the future 
metropolis of the Pacific coast. Something 
over one hundred persons were present on that 
occasion. Rij^ht then and there it became a 
fi.xed finality that civilization held the keys to 
the Golden Gate to the Pacific coast. In order 
to punctuate this so as to rivet the attention of 
the reader,- we borrow the language of a writer 
in the Overland Monthly who says: "On that 
same 17th of September, on the other side of the 
continent, Lord Howe's Hessian and British 
troops were revelling in the city of New York." 
We might supplement this with the observation 
that if it took from 1776 to 1823 for Spanish 
occupation to extend its lines from San Fran- 
cisco to Sonoma, it should somewhat break the 
force of carping criticism in reference to the 
time consumed by Moses aiul the children of 
Israel in their emigration from Egypt up to 
the land of Canaan. But in this we anticipate 
history. 

On the 23d of September, Quiros, Canizares 
atid Cambon took the ship's boat and went on a 
voyage of discovery up the bay. The year 
])revious, on the 3d of October, Bodega y Ca- 
dra, in the schooner Sonora., had entered the 
bay named at the time Bodegfl. The parties 
who started out on this exp)loration of the bay 
from the ])rcsidio of what is now San Francisco, 
was imbued with the idea prevalent then that 
there was a strait connecting that bay with 
Bodega. It was but natural that they should 
seek a satisfactory solution of this question. 
They started on the 23d of September and re- 
turned on the 29th. Mr. Bancroft, in speaking 
of Quiros and this expedition, says: "Although 
prevented from e.xploring the great river, he 
was able to settle another disputed (piestiou. 



and proved that the 'round bay' (San Pablo), 
had no connection with Bodega; for, sailing in 
that direction, he had discovered a new estuary 
and followed it to its head, finding no passage 
to the sea, and beholding a lofty sierra which 
stretched toward the west aiuI ended, as Quiros 
thought, at Cape Mendocino. This was proba-/ 
bly the first voyage of Europeans up the wind- 
ings of Petaluma Creek." And thus it is 
probable that contemporaneous with the date of 
our declaration ot national independence on the 
Atlantic side, Quiros and his companions vis- 
ited the very site upon which Petaluma now 
stands. 

The next mention we find that has any con 
nection, either near or remote, with Sonoma 
County, is the visit of Captain George Van- 
couver to this coast in 1792. It will be remem- 
bered that Drake, in his very florid recital of 
what had occurred on his visit to this coast, had 
accepted from the " King " everything far and 
near as a generous gift to his Queen, and in 
consideration of the striking resemblance of 
the sand dunes around Point Reyes to the 
chalky sea bluffs of Great Britain had named 
his newly -discovered country " New Albion." 
Vancouver seems to have had faith in the 
Drake fiction, and with true Briton stubborn- 
ness persisted in applying the name New 
Albion to this coast as far south as San Diego. 
While his mission was ostensibly one of 
scientific research and observation, it evidently 
excited distrust of English designs in the mind 
of Governor Arrillaga. Vancouver had arrived 
at San Francisco, Governor Arrillaga being at 
Monterey, the capital. Unwittingly the C!om- 
mandanto of San Francisco, in genuine Spanish 
hospitality, had not only given Vancouver a 
hospitable reception, but had furnished him an 
escort of soldiers to guard him on a snrt of 
picnic into the interior, as far iidand as the 
mission of Santa Clara. For tliis indiscretion 
Commandante Sal received a not unmerited 
reprimand from Arrillaga; for Vancouver in 
his report of this visit shows that he took in 
the whole situation; that Spain, with a few rusty 



HI8T0RT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



(•aiiiKins and scarcely soldiers enough to man 
thein, was lioldinir peaceable possession of 
California. 

The story of British vessels hovering along 
the Pacific coast of course was transmitted to 
both Mexico and Spain, eliciting the usual in- 
junction to the Governor of (,'alifornia to keep 
all foreign vessels from landing in Pacific coast 
harbors. How such orders could be enforced 
when there were not more cannon at the San 
Francisco Presidio than there are fingers to a 
human hand (and at some of the sea coast mis- 
sions the two or three cannon possessed were 
not even mounted), it is difficult to understand. 
Ibit the mainsprii g to all authority in Califor- 
nia had evidently reached the conclusion that 
something heroic must be done. The whole 
story is told by Hubert Howe Bancroft in the 
following extract: 

•'Together with his order reijuiring precau- 
tions against the English and other foreigners 
with a special view of keeping Spanish weak- 
ness from their knowledge, and subsequently, 
tlie viceroy fmnounced his intention of remedy- 
ing that weakness by strengthening the four 
presidios and by the immediate occupation of 
Bodega. Tlie 16th of J uly Arrillaga sent in a 
report on the state and needs of Californian de- 
fenses. A^ancouver, nnwisely permitted to in- 
vestigate, had been surprised to find California 
so inadequately protected, and the Spaniards 
seem to have realized the utter insufficiency of 
their coast defenses at about the same time; but 
nothing was accomplished in 171*3 l)eyond an 
unsuccessful attempt to occupy Bodega Port. 
Tills Bodega scheme and the whole project of 
strengthening the California defense were de- 
vised by Viceroy Revilla Giedo, and urged most 
ably in his report of April 12, 1793, a docu- 
ment which covers the whole northern question 
from a Spanish standpoint, and although little 
consulted by modern writers, is a most important 
authority. 

'•After giving a complete history of his sub- 
ject the distinguished author argues that dis- 
tant and costly outposts in the north are not 



desirable for Spain; and attention should be 
given exclusively to the preservation and utili- 
zation of tiie establishments now existing in 
California, and to prevent the too near appi'oach 
of any foreign power. To this end Bodega 
should be held, and the English plan of making 
a boundary of San Francisco Bay be thus de- 
feated. Probably this one measnre may suffice 
in the north; Nootka may be given up, and 
Fnca, and also the Entrada de Heceta, or Co- 
lumbia River, unless it should prove to aft'ord a 
passage to the Atlantic or to New Mexico. * * 
" Because of its supposed excellence as a har- 
bor, and because of its vicinity to San Francisco, 
making its occupation by England equivalent to 
an occupation of that harijor for purposes of 
contraband trade, it was decided to found a 
Spanish settlement at Bodega. Moreover, there 
were rumors that foreigners were already taking 
steps in that direction. To this end, the 10th of 
February the viceroy announced the giving of 
orders to the commandante at San Bias to des- 
patch a schooner and long-boat for the service, 
and Arrillaga was directed to go to San Francisco 
to meet the vessels. He gave orders the 20th of 
March to have a road opened from San Francisco 
across to Bodega. These instructions came up 
on the Acanzaza, which arrived at San Francisco 
on the 24:th of July. Arrillaga obtained boats 
from the vessels, set across some thirty liorses, 
and on the 5th of August Lieutenant Goycolchea, 
with a sergeant and ten men, set out to open 
the road and to meet at Bodega. Matute, who 
with the Sutil and Me.cleana had probably been 
sent direct to that port from San Bias. Unfor- 
tunately 1 have not found Goycolchea's diary 
which was sent to Mexico, and we know abso- 
lutely nothing of either the exploration by sea 
or land, save that Matute returned to San Fran- 
cisco on August 12th, and five days later Arril- 
laga informs the viceroy that the occupation of 
Bodega is put off for this year. The postpone- 
ment proved to be a permanent one, for some 
unexplained cause, and the ten soldiers and five 
mechanics with some stores intended for Bodega 
were retained by Sal at San Francisco." 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



So nearly came Sonoma County to civilized 
occupancy before the commencement of the cur- 
rent century. The only other, ami more defi- 
nite statement, of Spanish visitation to territory 
now within Sonoma County jurisdiction during 
the early years of this century, is that in Sej)- 
tember of 1810. Moraga, a Spanish officer, 
visited l)odega, '■ discovering and exploring to 
some extent a fertile valley in that region, to 
whicli, however, lie gave no name." 

Thus, in a hurried way, have we followed the 
fortunes of the Catholic cross northward from 
San Diego until it wtis securely planted at 
Lone Mountain. Over a third of a century had 
been marked on the dial of time, and yet that 
emblem of Cliristianity was yet nnplanted on 
the northern side of the Ijay. The tloci<s and 



herds of the nineteen established missions had 
increased until their numbers were pressing upon 
the utmost limits of pasture supply. The opu 
lence of the Padres, taken in conjunction with 
the fact that they were being made largely to 
bear the burthen of civil and military govern- 
ment, seemed to have somewhat dampened their 
ardor in mission work; at least so far as related 
to venturing uut into new and unexplored fields. 
Here, for the pi-esent, we place a perioil to 
Spanish occupation, and turn to hyperliDrean 
latitudes to note the southward coming of the 
Greek triune cross. Before the close of our 
next chapter these emblems of two mighty 
churches, one being carried northward and the 
other southward, will have met and been planted 
within the limits of Sonoma County. 



HTSTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



*^^'^f^ 







CHAPTER II. 



The IIussian-Amkuican Frii Company — Razanof, its head JtANAUEii, visits San Franiisco in 
1805 — EETriixs TO Alaska with a cakcii) hf whicat — nsiiiNci for sea ottkr along the 

COAST becomes common THE MA(;Nn'lI>E OF THE lilSINKSS IN 1809, KuSKOF, AN OFFICER 

OF THE Alaska Fir Company, anchorkd in TIodioua Bav, anii with a lak(;e numiser of 
Aleut fishkumen who>[ he p,Ror(iHT ■\vrrii him, spent ekmit months fishixo and explor- 
ing — IN Isll THE Russians came hack to Bodega with an outfit to found a settle- 
ment — thev establish Fort Ross — were the first to estap.lish a permanent settlement 
IN Sonoma County — the California authorities object, but the Russians stay — they 

MAKE extensive IMPROVEMENTS; PLANT ORCHARDS AND RAISE GRAIN WHAT THE FRENCHMAN, 

Duiiaut Cilly, said OF Ross in 1828 — what varied occupations t.ie Russians followed 

THEV r.UILT SEVERAL VESSELS lioSS A liUSY BEE-HIVE oF INDUSTRY. 




1 1 1 1 jE Spain was alwaj'S in a state of nn- 
rest coast possessions, slie was not 
bronglit face to in regard to the security 
of her Pacific face witli any real danger until in 
the first decade of the present century, At first it 
was England and France toward which lier appre- 
hensions were directed, with an occasional spasm 
of suspicion that the United States had a lust- 
ful desire for expansion in this direction. Of 
course Spain was having spats and wars witli 
other European powers, and tlie people of Cal- 
ifornia, when informed as to the government 
with which Spain for tiie time being was em- 
broiled, naturally felt uneasy when a vessel 
carrying the flag of such government was seen 
liovering along the California coast. 

The possessions of Russia up north had been 
turned to account and were then under the 
dominion of the Russian-American Fur Com- 
pany. As Russia and Spain were then as near 



at peace as was coinpatible with nations always 
in armed expectancy of war, no serious danger 
to California seemed to be apprehended from 
that source. Rut there were causes at work 
that turned tiie attention of Alaska authorities 
southward. The provision supplies they were 
dependent on from Russia, on account of ad- 
verse winds and other unavoidable causes, did 
not always reach tliem in season, and as a result, 
several times the gaunt wolf Famine stalked in 
their midst. Hunger knows no law, and in its 
presence the amenities usually observable be- 
tween nations at peace, are liable to be set at 
naught. In 1805 the newly appointed Russian 
Chamberlain, NicholiPetrovich Razanof, reached 
Sitka at a time wiien the inhabitants were in 
sore distress for food supplies. lie had a ves- 
sel laden with such articles as bethought would 
be needed by the presidios and missions of 
California and came down to San Francisco. 



IIISTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Kazanof was too great a diplomat to let the 
Spaniards know the real-condition of att'airs at 
Alaska. He had to feel his way carefully, for 
the authorities were under injunctions to en- 
courage no trade with foreign vessels. The 
missions had plenty of wlieat, just what he most 
coveted, and he had many articles of utility and 
ornament that the Californians needed and 
wanted. To make a long story short, Kazanof 
returned to Alaska with liis vessel well stowed 
with wheat. And more than this, it did not 
escape his keen eyes that the whcjle coast 
north of San Francisco was lying idle and un- 
productive. And another thing he did not fail 
to observe was that the waters abounded with 
sea otter. This same thing seems to have 
been taken in by the lynx-eyed Yankees even 
before Itazanof visited this coast, for we find it 
recorded that in 1803-'4 Captain Joseph O'Cain, 
in the American vessel (TC'aiii, made a sea 
otter j)oacliing expedition along the coast, going 
certainly as far south as San Diego, and being 
rewarded with a take of 1,100 otter-skins. 

Arrillaga had been appointed Governor of Cal- 
ifornia, and on his arrival at Monterey, the cap- 
ital, in 1806, one of his tirst pronunciamentos 
was a determination to put an end to illicit 
and contraband trade. lie expressed liimself 
cognizant of the fact that instructions from the 
head government had been, if not entirely 
evaded, at least loosely obeyed, and that he 
should not connive at such flagrant abuses. His 
intentions were doubtless honest, but then, 
humanity is fallible ! Thenceforward there 
were always vessels hovering along the coast, 
and it seemed remarkable how often they run 
out of water, or provisions, or had to make some 
needed repairs, and found excuses for anchoring 
for a time near some coast mission. The (iov- 
ernor of California and his handful of military 
could froth and fume as much as they pleased, 
but then what could they do about it 'i While 
these coast poachers in Spanish waters may not 
have direct connection with Sonoma (J(jnnty 
history, yet their meanderings were all con- 
verging toward IJodcgii Bay and tlic ultiiiiate 



occupation of the country from that point north- 
ward by the Russians. In truth, the only way 
to convey to the readers an intelligent concep- 
tion why the Russians made this long skip from 
Alaska to Ross, is by taking into account the 
wealth offered by the sea as well as the pro- 
ductiveness of the shore. In 1806 Captain 
Jonathan Winship, in the American vessel 
CrCdin, with his brother Nathan as mate, made 
a seaotter expedition on this coast. They were 
acting under the auspices of the Russian-Amer- 
ican Fur Company, and were accompanied by 
northern Indians and canoes to do the lishing. 
The Farallone Islands were found a fruitful 
field of operation. In September uf that year 
Captain Winship returned to Alaska with 5,000 
otter-skins. In October of 1806 Captain Camp- 
bell, another American under contract with the 
Alaska Fur Company, and accompanied by 
Aleut tishermen with twelve bidaskes (tishing 
boats), passed a season on this coast and re- 
turned to Alaska in August of 1807 with 1,230 
otter-skins. In 1807 Captain Winship was 
back to the coast again accompanied by fifty 
native hunters from Alaska, and his objective 
point seems to have been the Farallone Islands. 
How great was his success may he known from 
the fact that he i-etnrned north in April. Sev- 
eral other vessels are mentioned as having 
fished along the coast, and in every instance 
they are reported to have made a profital)le 
catch of sea-otter. Although outside of the 
chronological order of occurrences to be re- 
corded in this history we, in order to make 
clear the magnitude of the sea-otter fisheries 
along this coast, (piote the following from 
Hubert Howe Bancroft's History of California: 
" On April 1, 1811, the Albatross sailed for the 
north, leaving the O'Cain to look after atfairs 
on the lower coast, andreturnedto the Farallones 
to leave supplies. Then she went to Drake Bay. 
where she was joined by the (/Cain, and Isabel 
on the 11th of May. Here the two vessels re- 
mained a month, often communicating with 
the different gangs of hunters l)y means of 
boats. In .June the AUj((tri)Ss went south 



HTSTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



again and was occupied in picking up for tinal 
departure the luinters and the product of their 
labors for l)oth ships; and on the I'Jtli she sailed 
for the north, arriving at the Russian settle- 
ments in August. After repairing the ship and 
discharging his Indians, Winship returned 
down the coast and anchored on the 27th of 
September at tiie South Farallones. The 2d of 
October, taking on board all the hunters, except 
Rrown with seven Kanakas, the Albatross 
sailed for the Islands, so loaded with furs that 
some water-casks had to be broken up and the 
hemp cables carried on deck." Ky reference to 
a note in the work above quoted from, we tind 
that the Alhatross, for the seasons of 1810 
and 1811 took 74,526 fur seal skins, of which 
73,402 were taken at the P'arallones. Besides 
these there is enumerated among the pelts 248 
beaver, 21 raccoon, 6 wild-cat, 153 land-otter. 
4 badger, 5 fox, 58 mink, 8 gray squirrel. 1 
skunk, 11 muskrat and 137 mole skins. The 
estimated value of this cargo of furs at Canton, 
China, was .$157,397. A Captain Smith is re- 
puted to have visited the Farallones in 1808 
accompanied by a band of Kadiac Indians and 
quite a Heet of bidaskes, remaining two years 
and departing with 130.000 seal, beside many 
otter skins. Alvarado is the anthority for the 
statement that there were months when 2,500 
sking, worth $90 each, were exported. In 
order not to speak hap-hazard upon this subject 
we interviewed General AI. G. Vallejo, par- 
ticularly in reference to the subject of sea-otter 
(»n this coast, and we have it from his own lips 
that the Bay of San Francisco and all the bays 
and estuaries along tlie coast were swarming 
with them in the early decades of the century. 
But we return to the year 1809. That year 
was made memorable to Sonoma County from 
the fact that on .the 8th of January Kiiskof, an 
officer of the Russian Fur Company on the 
Kadiac. I'etrof master, entered Bodega Bay and 
remained there continuously until the 29th of 
August. It seems to have been a mission of 
observation, exploration and fishing combined. 
Friendly relations with the Indians of the sur- 



rounding country were established and a few 
temporary habitations erected. While we sliall 
always, in referring to this bay designate it 
Bodega Bay. the reader should be apprized 
that the Russians called it " Roumiantzof Bay.'" 
Through tlie natives Governor Arrillaga soon 
learned of the presence of a large Russian ves- 
sel at Bodega and that the crew had erected 
huts on shore. The number of persons given 
by the Governor as belonging to the KadUic, 
were forty Russians and 150 Indians, including 
twenty women. Fifty canoes were reported as 
having been crossed over from Huymenes Bay 
to Pt. Boneta. And here it is in place to 
explain in order that the carrying of these 
canoes, called by the Russians '• bidaskes,'" may 
the more readily be understood by the reader. 
They were constructed with a very light, flex- 
ible frame, over which was stretched a sheath- 
ing of sealskins so sown together as to render 
the seams impervious to water. The hunter 
could readily take his boat on his back and 
carry it a long distance. The Aleuts were ex- 
perts in the handling of these tiny crafts and 
did not hesitate to venture quite a distance out 
to sea in them. 

A stay of over seven mouths at Bodega had 
enabled Kuskof to form a very intelligent 
opinion as to wliether or not there was any- 
thing in that latitude worth the Russian Fur 
Company's further attention. He seems to 
have reached an affirmative conclusion. As he 
took back with him over 2,000 otter-skins as 
tangible evidence to the company of the worth 
of the field in which he had been tarrying, it 
probably did not require much urging on his part 
to induce his co-laborers at Alaska to seek a 
foothold in this more southern and genial clime. 
Referring to this visit of Kuskof to Bodega Bay, 
Air. Bancroft says: "The native chiefs were 
made friends by the distribution of petty gifts, 
and there is not much doubt that they made, 
either now or the next year, . some kind of a 
formal cession of territory to the new-comers. 
The price paid, according to the statement of 
the natives in later years, as Payeras tells us, 



IIISTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



was "three Idaiikets, tliree ))airsof breeches, twu 
axes, three hoes, and some heads." It was upon 
Russian title derived through this jnunilicent 
purchase price paid, that Colonel Muldrcw, 
nearly half a century later, gave a great deal 
of disquiet to the American settlers all along 
the coast from Toniales Bay to Cape Mendocino. 
Raranof, the Chamberlain of Alaska, douljtless 
acting on instructions from St. Petersburg, took 
immediate stejis to found a settlement on the 
California coast. To this end, an expedition 
was fitted out and placed under the control of 
Knskof, who, on the Chirikof v{\i\i all necessary 
implements and supplies, left Alaska late in 
1811 or early in 1812 for his new field of 
operations. Of this expedition l>ancroft sajs: 
" There were in the company ninety-five men of 
Russian blood, including twenty-five mechanics, 
and probably eighty Aleuts in a hunting fleet 
of forty bidaskes. The arrival seems to have 
been in March or April of 1812, though of 
this and immediately succeeding events there 
is no detailed record. The Aleuts were sent 
out to hunt otter along the coast, apparently 
with instructions not to enter San Francisco 
Bay, for it was best not to oflfend the Spaniards 
just at this time. The Russians prepared 
timber for several months. When all was 
ready the Aleuts were recalled to aid the me- 
chanics, and everybody went to work with a 
will on a foi't and other necessary buildings, 
and in tlie course of a few months a fortified 
village had arisen on the shores of New Albion. 
The site, selected probably during the previous 
viirit, was some eighteen miles above Hodega 
Ray, called by the natives Mad-shui-nui, in 
latitude 38° 33', loniritude 123° 15' accordinor 
to Russian observations, and the fort with its 
ten cannons was erected on a blutt' some 
hundred feet or more above the sea. * '^ '■■ 
All was completed and ready for occupation 
early in September. On September 10th, or 
August 30th of the Russian calendar, the name- 
day of Emperor Alexander, the establishment 
was formally dedicated with great festivities 
and named Ross, from the root (jf the name 



Russia, a name extending far back into an 
tifpiity. 

From that day dates the permanent occupancy 
of Sonoma County by civilized man. Fort Ross 
was something more than a mere station for the 
rendezvous of a fleet of fishing bidaskes. In a 
very few years it had become a manufacturing 
community, largely furnishing various kinds of 
supplies to the less skilled Spaniards south of 
the Bay of San Francisco. Of this we sliall 
speak more fully hereafter. Their ccjining to 
Ross was most certainly an infringement upon 
the territorial rights of Spain. P>ut they 
claimed, or pretended to claim, that by right 
of discovery made by Sir Francis Drake New 
Albion extended south to San Francisco Bay. 
The Spaniards on the other hand claimed that 
Spanish dciminion extended north to the Straits 
of Fuca. Through the natives (for the S|mnish 
authorities at San Francisco had as yet made 
little atteni])t at exploi-ation north of the bay), 
the Spaniards were made aware of the presence 
and operations of ihe Russians at Bodega and 
Ross. As in duty bound, an envoy was sent 
to Ross to learn the objects and aims of the 
Muscovites. The information olttained was 
duly transmitted by the Comniandante of San 
Francisco to the (lovernor at Monterey; and the 
governor in turn communicated the information 
to the Viceroy of Mexico, and thus it was started 
on its course to the ultimate end, the myal 
presence in Spain. Back through this tortuous 
channel, after a long lapse of time, came the 
injunction to the Commandante of San Francisco 
that he must have the Russians march on. Just 
how he was to enforce this order, with four 
rusty cannons, when the fort at Ross bristled 
with ten cannons of larger caliber, the King 
of Spain did not point out. But ink was 
cheaper, and not half as dangerous as powder, 
and the result was a wordy correspondence be- 
tween the (-Jovernor of California and Knskof. 

For several years the communication between 
the California authorities and those at Ross 
was as slow as the courtship between deaf 
mutes, so far as related to the right or wrong 



HT8T0RT OF SONOMA COUNTY . 



of Russian occupancy here. It could not well 
l)e otlienvise. The Governor of CalitbrniH 
could oidy act on authority from the Viceroy 
at the city of Mexico; and the Viceroy derived 
his power from the King of Spain. On the 
other hand Kuskof at Fort Ross looked to the 
Chamberlain of Alaska for his instructions, and 
the Chamberlain took his commands from the 
Czar of Russia. And thus it came to pass that 
the conflicting interests of two of the miglity 
powers of Europe, for a time, centered right 
here within our own Sonoina County. While 
a i:;reat many orders of a mandatory character, 
rei^uiring the Russians at once and immediately 
to vacate Ross were duly delivered to Kuskof, as 
coming from the Viceroy of ]\[exico, it does 
not seem to have disturbed the friendly amenities 
tiiat appear to have existed between the Span 
iards and Russians here, for they seem to have 
done a great deal of bartering in violation of 
the revenue laws as intended to be administered 
by the Mexican authorities. This trade was 
carried on by means of Russian vessels. 

Tiie reader can keep in mind that year after 
year there was remonstrance made by the 
Spanish authorities of California against Rus- 
sian occupation at Ross, always accompanied by 
the fearful admonition that the Viceroy of Mex- 
ico would admit of no further delay in the 
matter. Moraga, the tirst to go to Ross to spy 
out what the Russians were about, was sent 
back to Ross late in 1813, and according to 
Spanish account delivered to Ivuskof the ulti- 
matum of speed}' departure from this coast; 
while Russian record of the same occurrence is, 
as Bancroft says: "That Moraga on this second 
visit brought witl) him not only twenty cattle 
and three horses as a gift, but also the verlial 
announcement, as welcome as unexpected, that 
Governor Arrillaga had consented to an ex- 
change of commodities on condition that pend- 
ing the Viceroy's decision, the company's ves- 
sels should not enter the ports, but transfer 
goods in boats. Accordingly Kuskof at once 
despatched his clerk Slobodchikof to San Fran- 
cisco with a cargo which, in the manner pre- 



scribed, and to t!<e value of $14,000, was 
exchanged for bread-stulfs. Trade was thus con- 
tinued for some time, but no particulars are 
given. That this traffic was allowed, consider- 
ing the urgent needs of California, is not 
strange; nor is the silence of the Spanish record 
to be wondered at, since the trade was illicit. 
There is no good reason to doubt the accuracy 
of the Russian statement. 

That the Russians had come to stay, the lo- 
cation selected and the permanency of the im- 
provements made, amply attested. While 
Bodega Bay, by them called Roumiantzof, was 
a desirable harbor so far as ingress and egress 
of vessels were concerned, yet it did not seem 
to till Kuskof 's conception of strategic strength 
for defensive jjurposes. The site selected for 
Fort Ross, about eighteen miles north of 
Bodega, could hardly be improved on for the 
purpose designed. The following pen-picture of 
Fort Ross and its surroundings is a translation 
from a French book written by Duhant Cilly. 
The author spent two or three days at Ross in 
1828. This is a very accurate description, and 
the more to be prized on account of its having 
been written so long ago: 

"At eleven o'clock in the morning, June, 
1828, we arrived at a colony which the Rus- 
sians had named Ross. It is a great square sur- 
rounded by a solidly built fence of boards 
twenty feet high. This fence is crowned by 
large, heavy war implements. On the south 
west and northeast angles, are two turrets of a 
hexagon shape, pierced with port-holes, for pro- 
tection. Upon the four sides which correspond 
with the four important points are port-holes 
with cannon. In the inside of the square are 
also tield-pieces of bronze, mimnted on w-agons. 
There is a nice house for the commander or 
director, good lodgings for the subordinate of- 
ficers, while the remainder of the square is 
taken up by store-houses and work-shops. A 
chapel and bastion occupy the southeast angle. 
The fort is built at the edge of an elevated piece 
of land about two hundred feet above the level 
of the sea. To the right and left are ravines 



nrsTonr of sonoma covnty. 



whicli give protection against attacks from the 
• north and south, while tlie steep blnfl' and sea 
defend the west. The two ravines open upon 
two little bays which serve as a shelter for 
sliipping. All the dwellings of Ross are built 
of wood, but they are built well and strong. In 
the I'ooms of the director's dwelling are found 
all the conveniences which are appreciated by 
luiropeans and which as yet are unknown in 
other parts of L'alifornia. On the outside of the 
S(|uare are buildings regularly ranged for sixty 
Russians, and low huts for eighty Kadiacs. 
Adjoining these are huts of as many poor 
(native ?) Indians. To the east of the settlement 
the ground gradually rises to a great height, 
which protects the settlement from eastern 
winds. These hills are covered with thick 
forests. The slopes are divided into fields, 
fenced in squares, for grain, French corn, pats, 
potatoes, etc. These fences ai-e used as pro- 
tectors of the crops against enemies and wild 
animals." 

Such was Fort Ross as described sixty years 
ago. So far as location and general details are 
concerned, it is very accurate. The height of 
the mesa on which the fort stands is placed 
at too high a level above the sea, and the 
palisade wall of the fort is given about eigiit 
feet greater height than it really had. That 
the Russians were well prepared to defend 
themselves against attack is evidenced by a 
note in Bancroft's History which says: " Kuskof 
brought eight pieces of artillery in 1812, which 
number was soon increased to fifteen or twenty, 
and even to fort}' of various caliber by 1841 as 
it seems.'' 

But few of Sonoma County's most intelligent 
citizens, we apprehend, are fully advised in 
reference to the magnitude and importance of 
the operations of this Russian colony that 
planted the standard of civilization here. The 
oldest men among us were but mere boys when 
the whole coast of this county from the Estero 
Americano to the Gnalala River were teeming 
with life and enterprise. Aleuts in bidaskes 
were exi)ioring every bay, cove and estuary in 



quest of sea-otter, seal and acqnatic fowls. 
Coming from the frigid north where everything 
was utilized that would appease hunger or pro- 
tect the body from the chilling winds of the 
bleak, hyjjerborean climes, they gathered and 
utilized much that by the less provident 
Spaniards south of the Bay of San Francisco, 
would have been esteemed of no value. But 
Fort Ross was something more than a mere 
fishing station. As already stated they gave 
to Bodega Bay the euphonious name, Roumi- 
antzof; to the country and streams northward 
they gave names of equally as hard enunciation 
to American tongues. The country between 
Bodega Bay and Russian River they called 
Kostromitinof; to Russian River they gave the 
name Slavianki; while to the country adjacent 
to Ross itself, they gave the name Khlebnikof. 
In reference to the character- and number of 
inhabitants at Ross after it was founded, Mr. 
Bancroft says: "So far as I can judge from the 
complicated and contradictory statements of 
different M'riters, Russian and foreign, there 
were at Ross, after the foundation was fairly 
effected, from twenty-five to fifty men of Rus- 
sian blood, and from fifty to one-hundred and 
twenty Aleuts. No Russian women came to 
California, except perhaps the wives of one or 
twt) of the officers in the later years; but 
both Russians and Aleuts married or cohabited 
with native women, so that at the last the three 
races were inextricably mixed in the population 
of Ross. This population, including the native 
Californians who became permanent residents, 
may be estimated as having varied from 150 
to 400. All to a certain extent in the service 
of the company, though many cultivated small 
pieces of ground and traded the products on 
their own account. The Russians were ofticers, 
chiefs of hunting parties, and mechanics; the 
Aleuts were hunters, fishermen, and laborers; 
the Californians were laborers and servants; all 
were to a certain extent farmers and ti'aders and 
soldiers."' 

AV^hile there was a (ireek chapel, as already 
stated, at the fort, tJiere is nnthing to show 



IIIST(il!Y <iF SONOMA COUNTY. 



that tliere was ever a regular chaplain assigned 
to the station. Under authorization of the 
bishop one of tlie officers officiated at funerals, 
solemnized marriages and administered the ordi- 
nance of l)a])tism. 

As this coast had been a common poaching 
grouiiil tor vessels engaged in taking sea-otter 
for neaily a decade before the advent of the 
llussians here, large returns from that kind of 
hunting were not of long duration and the 
Russians naturally turned their attention to 
mixed industries. Bancroft, wlio from his vast 
I'esonrces of data on this subject is in a position 
to speak with great accuracy, says: "As the 
hunt for otter became less and less protitalde, 
and as obstacles interfered with perfect success 
ill way of trade, the agents of the company 
turiKil tlifir attention more and more to home 
industries at Itoss. Agriculture was naturally 
one of the most imijortant of these industries, 
and results in this brarich are shown more or 
less complete in a note.'' Referring to this 
note, we gather the following information in 
reference to the Kussian's farming operations: 
Kuskof, about 1821, retired from command at 
Koss, and was succeeded by a young man, Carl 
Schmidt. Kuskof died in Russia in 1828. In 
reference to farming it is stated that all the fer- 
tile land around the fort was cultivated, and 
there were fields two miles away. In 182S the 
amount of land cultivated in various fields is 
stated to liave been about 175 acres. Seeding 
was done in November and December, after the 
first rains. Both oxen and horses werg used for 
farming purposes, and in rocky places Indians 
were employed to spade the soil. Vegetables 
were raised in abundance in the gardens, in- 
cluding pumpkins and watermelons. Pickled 
beets and cabbage were sent to Sitka. Potatoes 
were planted twice a year, but the yield was not 
large. Wild mustard seed was gathered for ex- 
portation. Fruit trees did well. The first 
peach-tree brought from San Francisco in 1S14 
bore in 1820. Other peach-trees were brought 
from Monterey, and also grape-vines from 
Lima in 1S17, the latter bearino- in 1823. In 



1820, 100 trees, apple, pear, cherry and peach 
were set out, bearing in 1828. As related to 
wheat, great efforts were made and great re- 
sults anticipated in 1826, but there was not 
over a half crop, in consequence of rust. In 
1833 wild-oats sprang up, and thereafter much 
of the land that had been tilled around Ross had 
to be pastured. Mice and gophers had become 
very destructive. Farming was then trans- 
ferred to the month of Russian River, with 
much success for a couple of years; but received 
a set-back by two years of failure. This will 
give a general idea of the farming operations of 
the Russians. 

In reference to stock we find the following: 
Of horned cattle there were about sixty in 
1817, 180 in 1821, 520 in 1829, 720 in 1833. 
and 1,700 in 1841; horses increased from ten 
in 1817 to 250 in 1829, 415 in 1833, and 900 
in 1841; there were IGO sheep in 1817, 800 in 
1822, 614 in 1829, 605 in 1833, and 900 in 
1841; and swine numbered 124 in 1821 and 
106 in 1829. There were about fifty mules in 
in 1841. Many cattle were killed by the bears 
and Indians. I'ulls used to come into the fort 
with lacerated flesh and bloody horns after en- 
counters with bears. In the last fifteen years 
216,000 pounds of salt beef and 17,(100 pounds 
of butter were sent to Sitka. Butter brought 
about thirty cents a pound at Sitka. Excellent 
leather was tanned and exported. The total 
product in good years of cattle and sheep was 
valued at 8,000 rubles. Bancroft says: "There 
was hardly any article of wood, iron or leather 
which the mechanics of Ross in the early years 
could not make of a ijuality sufficiently good 
for the California nuirUet, and to the very last 
they received frequent apjilications from the 
Spaniards. But in the later yeai's many^ minor 
articles were more cheaply obtained from Amer- 
ican and English traders. Several boats were 
built for Spanish officers or friars. Timlierand 
tiles were not only sent south, but north, and 
even in some instances to the Sandwich Islands. 
Pine pitch was also sent to Sitka in consider- 
able quantities, in barrels which, like those for 



iirsTonr of bonoma county. 



iiiuat and other exports, wei'c made l)y the 
Ross coopers." 

iJut the Russians were even more than fisher- 
men, farmers and artisans. lii^ht here in 
Simonia County within the lirst quarter of the 
present century not less than four schooners 
and ships were built and launched, the carry- 
ing capacity varying from 160 to 200 tons. 
The schooner Rotnninatzof, of IBO tons burthen 
was commenced in 1816 and launched in 1818. 
Aside from the labor of construction its cost 
was 20,212 rubles. The brig Buldakof, of 200 
tons burthen, a copper-bottomed vessel, was put 
on the ways in 1819 and completed and launched 
in 1820. Its cost of construction was about 80,- 
000 rubles. These vesselswereprincipally built 
of oak, while in tlie construction of the latter 
ones pine and redwood seem to have been 
])rincipally used. The Vohja, 160 tons, was 
begun in 1821 and was finished and launched 
in 1822, at a cost of about 36,189 rubles. The 
Kidklifa, of 200 tons burthen, was put on the 
ways in 1823, and completed and launched in 
1824, at a cost of 35,248 rubJes. These vessels 
do not seem to have been of long service, and 



this is not to be wondered at when we take 
into account the rawness and character of the 
wood used in their construction. But this in 
no wise militates against the cold facts of his- 
tory that when oui' oldest men we)-e mere boys, 
ship-building was carritd on right here in 
Sonoma County. We have been thus exact in 
giving dates and details because we believe 
every man, woman and child in the county 
ought to know these things. Sir William 
Blackstone says in his commentaries on the 
common law laid it down as a rule that every 
English gentleman ought to know and under- 
stand the groundwork of the laws of the country 
in which he lived. If this was true of English 
gentlemen as related to a knowledge of the laws 
of their country, how much more essential is it 
that every one laying claim to intelligence in 
our midst, should at least have a correct knowl- 
edge of the history of the county in which they 
live ! Having delineated the main features of 
Russian occupation of Sonoma County up to 
1830, we now devote a cha]itcr to Sj)anish pro- 
gress northward. 



iiismnv OF SONOMA couNrr. 




t^t^<^t^t^t^'^9^ 



!>g<^i^<^tgg»t^(^t^? 



.Si^i 



*. 



SJ'thk s;-'ANIaki'S ^:oRTH of the fay, ;^ 



23s^3aj wi?^^rpi'^^ ^^^si3ag?i.;^'^^:a3a.^^33ii 



'^'^^i^^''-^i^^i^^'i-'-^i:^^(-'>'^'^^^^^%^^^ 



#fe' 



CHAl'TER III. 



After fortv years of wattixc the Spaniards sktre a i.ougment north of Sax F'RANnsco 

Bay A BRANCH MISSTON Tn Doi.ORES AY AS ESTABLISHED AT SaX RaFAKT. IN 1818 IN 1821 

AN EXPLORING EXPEDITION WENT NORTH UNDER CaPTAIN ArGUELLO - THEY STARTED FROM 

Cauqfinez; traveled n- the Sacramento Valley, i-iioiiAiiLY m Sha>ta, then crossed 

TOWARD the coast AND CAME DOWN RuSSIAN RiVER Vai.LKY — I r WAS THE MOST EXTENDEI> 

EXPLORATION OF THE SPANIARDS IN 1822 IT WAS DETERMINED To ESTABLISH A NEW MISSION 

NdRTII (IF THE BAY" IN 1823 PaURE AlTIMIRA, WITH A SlITAnLE ESCORT, STARTED Tn Lix Al i: 

A MISSION site; VISITED Petaluma Yall]:y, Sonoma Yallioy, and finally chose Sonoma- 

AFTER CONSIDERABLE TROUBLE AND DELAY THE MISSION AT SoNOMA, UNDER TFILE OF "SaN 

Francisco Solano," was duly dedicated Sunday, the 4rii day of April, 182-1 — the 
Russians at Ross sent articles of decoration for the church at Sonoma — fruit trees 
and \ineyards planted — cattle, horses and sheep Mri.Tipi.Y, AND San Francisco Solano 

GATHERS TO ITS FOLD SEVERAL HI NDRED InDIANS. 



fORTY years had come anJ gone since pre- 
sidio and mission was founded at Yerba 
Buena,aiid yet no fruitful attempt had been 
made to establish settlement on tlie north side 
of the bay. And the lirst movement in that 
direction seems to have been impelled by a 
teeming necessity. At the mission Dolores 
were many hundred neophytes who had been 
gatliered in from the many Indian tribes south 
of the bay. Among these Indian converts there 
was an increasing and alarming mortality from 
])ulmoHary disease. The padres, as a sanitary 
measure, determined upon the founding of a 
branch mission in some more sheltered and 
genial clime on the north side of the bay. Tiie 
ju'esent site of San Rafael was the location de- 
termined upon. The establisliment was to be 
more in the nature of a rancho, witli cliapel, 
baptistry and cemetery, than a regularly or- 



dained mission. Padre Luis Gil yTahoada was 
detailed to take charge of this branch establish- 
ment of the church. In reference to this brancii 
mission P>aucroft says: "The site was proliably 
selected on tiie advice of Moraga, who had 
several times passed it on his way to and from 
Bodega; though there may have been a special 
examination Ijy the friars not recorded. Father 
Gil was accompanied by Derran, Abella, and 
Sarria, the latter of whom on December lith, 
with the same ceremonies that usually attended 
the dedication of a regular mission, founded 
the assistencia of San Rafael Arcangel, on the 
spot called by the natives Nanaguani. Though 
the establishment was at first only a l)ranch of 
San Francisco, an assistencia and not a mission, 
with a chapel instead of a church, under a 
supernumerary friar of San Francisco; yet there 
was no real ditt'erence between its manaij-einent 



HISTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



and that of the other missions. The luimber 
of ncoiihytes trausfei red at first is supposed to 
have been about 280, but there is but very little 
evidence on the subject, and subsequent trans- 
fers, if any were made in eitlier direction, are not 
recorded. By the end of 1820 the population 
had ineTcased to 590. In 1818 an adobe build- 
ing eighty feet long, forty-two feet wide and 
eighteen feet high had been erected; divided 
by partitions into chapel, padre's house and all 
other apartments i'e(|uired, and furnished be- 
sides with a corridor of tules. Padre Gil y 
Taboada remained in charge of San Rafael until 
the summer of 1819, when lie was succeeded by 
Juan Anioros." 

That even the southern eud of what is now 
Sonoma County was yet a comparative terra 
incognito to the Spaniards, is evidenced by the 
fact that as late as May, 1818, on the occasion 
of a visit of President Payeras with Comniandante 
Arguello to San Rafael, they made quite an 
exploration of the surrounding country and re- 
ported having seen from the top of a hill " the 
Canada de los Olompalis and the Llano de los 
Petalnmas."' Thus, as Moses viewed the 
promised land from the summit of Mount Pisga, 
did priest and comniandante from the summit 
of a Marin County hill look down upon Peta- 
luma Valley in the year of grace, 1818. The 
comniandante referred to in this connection was 
Captain Luis Arguello. Governor Arrillaga 
having died in 1813, Ai-guelio filled the position 
of acting governor until Sola was appointed to 
that position. Ai-guello was a man of consider- 
able energy and dash, and it was but natural 
that Governor Sola should select him for a 
hazardous enterprise. Late in the summer of 
1821 the Governor determined to send an ex- 
ploring expedition up north. As this was one 
of the most consccpiential explorations ever 
undertaken under Spanish rule, and as it has 
an intimate connection with Sonoma County, 
we give place to Hubert Howe Bancroft's nar- 
ration of the meaniierings of the expedition. 
which is as follows: 

"Thirty live soldados de cuera and twenty 



infantes, part of the force coming from Mon- 
terey, were assembled at San l"'rancisco. Horses 
and much of the supplies were sent from Santa 
Clara and San Jose up to the Strait of the Car- 
quinez. The officers selected were Captain 
Luis Arguello, Alferez Francisco de Haro, 
Alferez Jose Antonio Sanchez, and Cadet 
Joaquin Estudillo, with Padre Bias Ordaz as 
chaplain and chronicler, and John Gilroy, called 
the 'English interpreter Juan Antonio.' Some 
neophytes were also attached to the force, and 
all was ready for the start the 18th of October. 
The company sailed from San Francisco at 11 
A. M. in the two lanchas of the presidio and 
mission, landing at Ruyuta, near what is now 
Point San Pedro, to pass the night. Next day 
they continued the voyage to the Carquinez, 
being joined by two other boats. Saturday and 
Sunday were spent in ferrying the horses across 
the strait, together with a band of Ululatos and 
Cauucaynios Indians, en route to visit their 
gentile homes, and in religious exercises. 
Monday morning they started for the north.. 

" The journey which followed was popularly 
known to the Spaniards at the time, and since 
as ' Arguello's expedition to the Columbia." 
The Columbia was the only northern region of 
which the Spaniards had any definite idea, or 
was rather to them a term nearly synonymous 
with the northern interior. It was from the 
Columbia that the strange people sought were 
supposed to have come; and it is not singular 
in the absence of any correct idea of distance, 
that the only expedition to the far north was 
greatly exaggerated in respect to the distance 
traveled. The narratives in my possession, 
written by old Californians, some of whom ac- 
companied Arguello, are unusually inaccurate 
in their versions of this affair, on which they • 
would throw Init very little light in the al)seuce 
of the original diary of Father Ordaz — a docu- 
ment that is fortunately extant. 

"Starting from the strait on the morning of 
October 22, Arguello and his company marched 
for nine days, averaging little less than eight 
hours a day, northward up the valley of the 



niSTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Sai-rainento, which they called the Jesus Maria. 
The names of raiiclierias 1 give in a note. Tliere 
is little else to be said of the march, the obsta- 
cles to be overcome having been few and slight. 
Tlie natives were either friendly, timid, or 
slightly hostile, having to be scattered once or 
twice by the noise of a cannon. The neophyte 
Rafael from San Francisco had but little diffi- 
cujtv in making himself understood. The most 
serious calamity was the loss of a mule that fell 
into the river with two thousand cartridges on 
its back. There were no indications of for- 
eigners. 

"On the 30th, to use the words of the diary, 
'the place where we are is situated at the foot 
of the Sierra Madre, whence there have been 
seen by the English interpreter, Juan Antonio, 
two mountains called Los Cuates — the Twins — 
on the opposite side of which are the presidio 
and river of the Columbia. The rancherias be- 
fore named are situated on the banks of the Rio 
de Jesns Maria, from which to-morrow a differ- 
ent direction will betaken.' Accordingly the 
the 31st they ' inarched west until they came to 
the foot of a mountain range, about fifteen 
leagues from the Sierra Nevada, which runs 
from north to south, terminating in the region 
of Bodega.' Exactly at what point the travel- 
ers left the river and entered the mountain 
range, now bounding Trinity County 07i the 
east, I do not attempt to determine, though 
it was evidently not below Red Bluff. The 
distance made up the valley, allowing an aver- 
age rate of three miles an hour for sixty-eight 
hours, the length of the return march of ninety- 
six hours through the mountains, at a rate of 
two miles an hour, and the possible identity of 
Capa, reached in forty-four hours from Car- 
quinez, with the Capaz of modern maps opposite 
Chico, would seem to point to the latitude of 
Shasta or Weaverville as the northern limit of 
this exploration. 

" For nine days, the explorers marched south- 
ward over the mountains. No distances ai'e 
given, and I shall not pretend to trace the exact 
route followed, though I give in a note the 



names recorded in the diary. Like tiiose in 
the valley, the savages were not, as a rule, hos- 
tile, though a few had to be killed in the ex- 
treme north; but their language could no longer 
be understood, and it was often diflicult to 
obtain guides from i-ancheria to rancheria. The 
natural difficulties of the mountain route were 
very great. Many horses died, and four pack- 
mules once fell down a precipice together. The 
3d of November, at Benenue, some l)lue cloth 
was found, said to have been obtained from the 
coast, probably from the Russians. On the 6th 
the ocean was first seen, and several soldiers 
recognized the 'coast of the Russian establish- 
ment at Bodega.' Next day from the Espinazo 
del Diablo was seen what was believed to be 
Cape Mendocino, twenty leagues away on the 
right. Finally, on the 10th, the party from the 
top of a mountain, higher than any before 
climbed, l)ut in sight of many worse ones, 
aliandoned by their guides at dusk, \v\\\\ only 
three days' rations, managed to struggle down 
and out through the dense undergrowth into a 
valley. 

'• And down this valley of Libantiliyami, 
which could hardly have been any othei- than 
that of the Russian River, though at what point 
in the present Sonoma County, or from what 
direction they entered it I am at a loss to say, the 
returning wanderers hastened; over a route that 
seems to have presented no obstacles — doubtless 
near the sites of the modern Healdsburg and 
Santa Rosa — and on November 12th, at noon, 
after twenty hours' march in three da^'s, arrived 
at San Rafael. Next day, after a thanksgiving 
mass, the boats arrived and the w-ork of ferrying 
the horses across to Point San Pablo was be- 
gun. The infantry soldiers, who were mounted 
durinor the expedition, also took this route 
home, both to Monterey and San Francisco. 
Thus ended the most extensive northern expedi- 
tion ever made by the Spaniards in California." 

By reference to the notes referred to by Mr. 
Bancroft in the above, it is (juite certain that 
Arguello and his companions reached Russian 
River at or near the present site of Cloverdale. 



IirSTOIiT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Be that as it may, it is lieyoml cavil that they 
were the tirst Sj)aiiianis to traverse the central 
valleys of Sunoiria County. While the expedi- 
tion was not fruitfnl of far-reaciiing results, yet 
it furnishes an importaut leaf to local history. 
iJeing the tirst of civilized race to traverse the 
territory of the county its whole length, entitles 
that little hand of explorers to kindly reniein- 
hrance and honorable mention in her annals. 

I'ut the time was close at hand when Sonoma 
County which had lain fallow all these years, 
except that jjortion of seaboard under occupancy 
by the Russians, was to come under Spanish 
domination. The establishment of a new mis- 
sion was determined upon. The causes which 
impelled this movement northward will seem 
.strange to the readers of the present generation. 
In the language of Bancroft, " In 1822 at a con- 
ference between Canon Fernandez, Prefect Pay- 
eras, and Governor Arguello, it had been 
decided to transfer the mission of San Francisco 
from the peninsula to the ' northeastern contra 
'■osta on the gentile frontier,' a decision based 
on the comparative sterility of the old site, the 
insalubrity of the peninsula climate, the broad- 
ness of tlie field for conversion in the north, the 
success of the experimental founding of tlie San 
liafael branch, and not improbably a desire on 
the part of two of the three dignitaries to throw 
tlie few fertile ranchos south of San Francisco 
into the hands of settlers. The matter next 
came up just before tlie death of Payeras, who 
seems to have had nothing more to say about it. 
March 23, 1823, Padre Jose Altimira, very 
likely at Arguello's instigation, presented to the 
de]>utacion a memorial in which he recom- 
mended the transfer, he being a party naturally 
interested as one of the ministers of San Fran- 
cisco. On April 9th, the deputacion voted in 
favor of the change. It was decreed that the 
assistencia of San liafael should be joined again 
to San Francisco, and transferred with it, and 
the suggestion made that the country of the 
Petalumas or of the Canicaimos, should be the 
new site. The suppression of Santa Cruz was 
also recommended. The Governor sent these 



resolutions to Mexico next day, and Altimira 
forwarded copies to the new prefect, Scnaii,un 
April 30th, but received no response. 

" An exploration was next in order, for the 
countiy between the Suisunes and Petalumas 
was as yet only little known, some parts of it 
having never been visited by the Spaniards. 
With this object in. view, Altimira and the 
disputado, Fi'ancisco Castro, with an escort of 
nineteen men under Alferez Jose Sanchez, em- 
barked at San Francisco on the 25th of dune, 
and spent the night at San Rafael. l!oth San- 
chez and Altimira kept a diary of the trip in 
nearly the same words. * * * The explor- 
ers went by way of Olompali to the Petal unia, 
Sonoma, Napa, and Suisun valleys in succes- 
sion, making a somewhat close examination of 
each. Sonoma was found to be best adapted for 
mission purposes by reason of its climate, loca- 
tion, abundance of wood and stone, including 
limestone as w^as thought, and above all for its 
innumerable and most excellent springs and 
streams. The plain of the Petaluma, broad and 
fertile, lacked water; that of tlie Suisunes was 
liable, more or less, to the same objection, and 
was also deemed too far from the old San Fran ■ 
cisco; but Sonoma, as a mission site, with 
eventually branch establishments, or at least 
cattle-ranchos at Petaluma and Napa, seemed to 
the three representatives of civil, military, and 
Francisian power to offer every advantage. 
Accordingly on July ith, a cross was blessed 
and set up on the site of a former gentile ran- 
cherai, now formally named New San Francisco. 
A volley of musketry was tired, sex'eral songs 
were sung, and holy mass was said. July ith 
might, therefore, with greater propriety than 
any other date be celebrated as the anniversary 
of the foundation, though the place was for a 
little time abandoned, and on the sixth all were 
back at Old San Francisco." 

We cannot give the reader a more correct 
idea of this tirst exploration of the southern end 
of Sonoma County than is given in the language 
of Padre Altimira's diary, which is epitomized 
as follows in Alley, liowen it Co.'s History of 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNT F. 



Souoiiiii County: '• The I'adre and his party left 
San Rafael, where a mission had been already 
founded, on the 25th of June. 1823, and during 
the day passed the position now occupied by 
the city of Petaluma, then called by the Span- 
iards, ' Pnnta de los Esteros,' and known to the 
Indians as ' Chocuale,' that night encamping 
on the 'Arroyo Lema," where the large adobe on 
the Petaluma Rancho was afterward constructed 
by General Vallejo. 

''Here a day's halt would appear to have 
been called, in order to take a glance at the 
beautiful country and devise jneans of further 
progress. On the 27th they reached the famous 

• Laguna de Tolly,' now, alas, nothing but a 
place, it having fallen into the hands of a Ger- 
man gentleman of marked utilitarian principles, 
who has drained and reclaimed it, and planted 
it with potatoes. Here the expedition took a 
northeasterly route, and entering the Sonoma 
Valley, which Father Altimira states was then 
so called by former Indian residents; the party 
encamped on the arroyo of ' Pulpula,' where J. 
A. Poppe, a merchant of Sonoma, has a large 
tish-breediug establishment, stocked with carp 
brought from Rhinefelt, in Germany, in 1871. 
The holy father's narrative of tiie beauties of 
Sonoma Valley, as seen by the new-comers, are 
so graphically portrayed by himself that we 
cannot refrain from quoting his own words: 

• At about 3 1'. M.,' (June 28, 1823,) ' leaving 
our camp and our boat on the slough near l)y, 
we started to explore, directing our course north- 
westward across the plain of Sonoma, until we 
reached a stream (Sonoma Creek) of aljout five 
hundred plumas of water, crystalline and most 
pleasing to the taste, flowing through a grove 
of beautiful and useful trees. The stream flows 
from some hills which enclose the plain, and 
terminate it on the north. We went on, pene- 
trating a broad grove of oaks; the trees were 
lofty and robust, aft'ordiug an external source of 
utility, both for firewood and carriage nmterial. 
This forest was about three leagues long from 
east to west, and a league and a half wide from 
north to south. The plain is watered by another 



arroyo still more copious and pleasant than the 
former, flowing from west to east, but traveling 
northward from the center of the plain. We 
explored this evening as far as the daylight 
permitted. The permanent springs, according 
to the statement of those who have seen -them 
in the extreme dry season, are almost innumer- 
able. No one can doubt the benignity of the 
Sonoma climate after noting the plants, the 
lofty and shady trees — alders, poplars, ash, 
laurel, and others — and especially the abundance 
and luxuriance of the wild grapes. We ^ib- 
served, also, that the launch ma}^ come up tlic 
creek to where a settlement can be founded, 
truly a most convenient circumstance. AVe saw 
from these and other facts that Sonoma is a 
most desirable site for a mission.' 

" Let us here note who are now located on 
the places brought pi-ominently forward by 
Padre Altimira. The hills which inclose the 
valley and ont of whose bosom the Sonoma 
Creek springs, is now occupied by the residence 
and vineyard of Mr. Edwards. The forest men- 
tioned covered the present site of the Leaven- 
worth vineyards, the Hayes' estate, and the 
farms of Wrutten, Carriger, Harrison, Craig. 
Herman, Wohler, Hill, Stewart, Wartield, 
Krous ct Williams, La Alotte, Hood, Kohler, 
Morris, and others. The second stream men- 
tioned as flowing northward from the center of 
the plains, is the ' Olema,' or flour-mill stream, 
on which Colonel -George F. Hooper resides, 
while the locality in which he states are innum- 
erable springs, is the tract of country where 
now are located the hacienda of Lachryma 
Montis, the residence of General M. G. Vallejo 
and the dwellings and vineyards of llaraszthy, 
Gillen, Tichner, Dressel, Winchel, Gundlach, 
Rnbus, Snyder, Nathanson, and the ground of 
the Buena Vista Vinicultural Society. The 
head of navigation noted is the place since 
called St. Louis, but usually known as the Em- 
barendero.'' 

Of this first exploration of the country round 
about Petaluma and Sonoma, every incident 
will be of interest to the reader. In Padre 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Altiinira's diarj, note is inaile of the killing of 1 
a bear on the Petaluina flat. Mention is also 
made that their first night's camp (probal)ly 
near where the old Vallejo adoba now stands.) 
was with eight or ten Petalumas ^Indian?) 
hiding there from their enemies, the Libantilo- 
queini, Indians of Santa Ivosa Valley. As 
alread}- stated, the exploration extended as far 
east as Suisun Valley, and .Mtiniira mentions | 
tliat uu the 30th of June they killed ten bears. 
(_)n returning they gave the Sonoma Valley a | 
more complete examination and crossed the | 
mountains back into the upper end of Petaluraa 
Valley and back to where they camped the first 
uight. From there they seem to have taken a : 
pretty direct route back to Sonoma, probably' 
about the route of the old road leading from 
Petaluma to Sonoma. This was on the 3d of 
July, and the next day the mission location 
was formally established at Sonoma. 

The prelate upon whose decision the Alti- 
mira enterprise depended for a full fruition had 
not yet been heard from. Altimira represented 
to him, and with a great deal of apparent truth, 
that " San Francisco was on its last legs, and 
that San Rafael could not subsist alone." But 
the desired sanction from the prelate had not 
yet come, (governor Arguello seemed impa- 
tient of delay and ordered Altimira to proceed 
with the work of founding the new mission, an 
order that Padre Altimira seemed to be only 
too ready to obey, for he seemed to have been a 
Hery, impetuous mortal, with more zeal than 
pi-udence. On the 12th of August he took 
possession of the effects of the San Rafael mis- 
sion by inventory, and by the 2;3d he was on his 
way to Xew San Francisco with an escort of 
twelve men, and an artilleryman to manage a 
cannon of two pound caliber. He was also 
accompanied by (juite a force of neophytes as 
laborers. By the 25th all hands were on the 
ground and the work i)f planting a mission cou)- 
menced. At the end of a week tlie work had 
so far progressed that it coidd be said of a surety 
that Sonoma Valley had passed under the do- 
minion of civilized man. But Altimira was 



destined to have his Christian forbearance 
tested. The jirelate refused to sanction the 
wiping out of the San Rafael mission. While 
he did not express a decided opinion on the 
propriety of the removal of the San Francisco 
mission, he expressed amazement at the hasty 
and unauthorized manner in which the deputa- 
cion had acted in the premises. On the 31st of 
August this decision reached the Padre at New 
San Francisco, and for the time put an end to 
his operations. That this interruption did not 
put Altimira in a very prayerful frame of mind 
is evidenced by the vinegar and gall apparent in 
his epistolatory record in connection with the 
subject. In a letter to Governor Arguello in 
reference to the prelate's decision, Altimira 
says: " I wish to know whether the deputacion 
has any authority in this ])rovince, and if these 
men can overthrow j'our honor's wise provis- 
ions. I came here to convert gentiles and 
to establish missions, and if I cannot do it here, 
where as we all agree is the best spot in Cali- 
fornia for the purpose, I will leave the country." 
As a plain missionary proposition Padre Alti- 
mira was right; but as an ecclesiastical fact he 
was restive under a harness of his own choos- 
ing, and was wrong. Sarriawas then president 
of the California missions. The seijuel to the 
prelate's decision is thus recited by Bancroft: 
"A correspondence followed between Sarria and 
Arguello, in which the former with many ex- 
pressions of respect for the governor and the 
secular government not unmixed with personal 
flattery of Arguello, justitied in a long argu- 
ment the position he had assumed. The (gov- 
ernor did not reply in detail to Sarria'o 
arguments, since it did not in his view matter 
much what this or that prelect had or had not 
approved, but took tiie ground that the deputa- 
cion was empowered to act for the public good 
in all such urgent matters as that under con- 
sideration, and that its decrees must be carried 
out. During tifty years the friars had made 
no progress in the conversion of northern gen- 
tries or occupation of northern territory: and 
now the secular authorities proposed to take 



26 



HISTORT OF S0N031A COUNTY. 



cliarge ut' the coiu^uest in tlie temporal aspect 
at least. The new establishment would be sus- 
ta ned with its escolta under a inajordomo, and 
the prelate's refusal to authorize Altimira to 
care for its spiritual needs would be reported to 
the authorities in Mexico. 

" Yet, positive as was the Governor's tone in 
general, he declared that he would not insist on 
the suppression of San Rafael; and, though 
some of the correspondence has doulitless been 
lost, he seems to have consented readily enough 
to a compromise suggested by the prefect, and 
said by him to have been more or less fully ap- 
proved by Altimira. By the terms of this 
compromise new San Francisco was to remain 
as a mission in regular standing, and Padre 
Altimira was appointed its regular minister, 
subject to the decision of the college; T)ut 
neither old San Francisco nor San Rafael was 
to be suppressed, and Altimira was to be still 
associate minister of the former. Neophytes 
might go Voluntarily from old San Francisco to 
the new establishment, and also from San Jose 
and San Rafael, jirovided they came originally 
from the Sonoma region, and provided also that 
in the case of San Rafael they might return if 
they wished at any time within a year. New 
converts might come in from any direction to 
the mission they preferred, but no force was to 
be used." 

Under these conditions and restrictions the 
tiery Altimira entered upon the task of Chris- 
tianizing Sonoma County heathen. While he 
did not let pass an opportunity to enveigli 
against the perverse and narrow-gauge methods 
of the old missions, he seems to have entered 
with the zeal of a Paul into his missionary 
work. Pancruft, who has all the data to enable 
him to speak with absolute certainty, says: 
"Passion Sunday, April 4, 1824, the mission 
church, a somewhat rude structure 24 Ijy 105 
feet, built of boards and whitewashed, but well 
furnished and decorated in the interior, many 
articles having been presented by the Russians, 
was dedicated to San Francisco Solano, which 
from this date became the name of the mission. 



Hitherto it had been properlj' new San Fran- 
cisco, though Altimira had always dated his 
letters San Francisco simply, and referred to 
the peninsula establishment as Old San Fran- 
cisco; but this usage became inconvenient, and 
rather than honor St. F'rancis of Asisi with two 
missions it was agreed to dedicate the new one 
to San Francisco Solano, > the great apostle of 
the Indies.' It was largely from this early con- 
fusion of names, and also from the inconven- 
ience of adding Asisi and Solano to designate 
the respective Saints Francis and Solano that 
arose the popular usuage of calling the two 
missions Dolores and San Solano, the latter 
name being replaced ten years later by the 
original one of Sonoma."' 

Elsewhere we have said that right here in 
Sonoma County the Catholic and the Greek 
i Cross met, and it but lends luster to the pages 
of history to record that though coming by 
different roads they met in friendship; for, with 
deft hands, the communicants of the Greek 
church at Ross shaped gifts for ornamentation 
and decoration of the Catholic mission of So- 
; noma. Altimira remained in charge at Sonoma 
I until 1826 when he was superseded by Buena- 
ventura Fortuni. Altimira had displayed con- 
siderable energy in his iield of labor, for at 
Sonoma he had constructed a padre's house, 
granary and seven houses for the guard, besides 
the chapel, all of wood. Before the year 1824 
closed there had been constructed a large 
adobe 30 by 120 feet, seven feet high, with 
tiled roof and corridor, and a couple of other 
structures of adobe had been constructed ready 
to roof, when the excessive rains of that season 
set in and ruined the walls. A loom was set 
up and weaving was in operation. Quite an 
orchard of fruit trees was planted and a vine- 
yard of 3,000 vines was set out. Bancroft says: 
" Between 1824 and 1830 cattle increased from 
1,100 to 2,000; horses from 400 to 725; and 
sheep remained at 4,000, though as few as 1,500 
in 1826. Crops amounted to 1,875 bushels per 
year on an average, the largest yield being 
3,945 in 1826, and the smallest 510 in 182'^, 



BISTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



when wlieat ami barley failed completely. At 
tlio end of 1824 the mission had 693 neophytes, 
of whom 322 had come from San Francisco, 
153 from San Jose, 02 from San Rafael, and 9() 
had been baptized on the spot. By 1830, (ioO 
had l)een baptized and 375 buried; but the 
number of neophytes had increased only to 
760, leaving a margin of over 100 for runaways, 
even on the supposition that all from San 
Rafael retired the first year to their old home. 
Notwithstanding the advantages of the site 
and Altimira's enthusiasm the mission at 



Sonoma was not prosperous during its short 
e.xistence." 

Thus far we have followed the foi-tunesof the 
cliurch in its missionary work on tins side of 
the bay. AVhile it was not as fruitful of results 
as the church probably expected, it at least 
paved the way for secular occupation. As it 
had been in the south, so too in the north an at- 
tempt at colonization was sure to follow in 
the paths made easy by the pluck and persever- 
ance of the padres. We again turn to Ross 
and ti'ace Russian occupation to a conclusion. 



28 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



^^ tig^miMjB^g^-. _. 



^ 



11^ 



THE EUSSIANS AND EOSS TO A CONCLUSION, 




CHAPTER IV. 

TlIK RlSSIAN-i AT Ru>^S IJECIX Til RKALIZK THAT THEV H A \ K lou NAUKnW A FrKLI) WILI, lU' V 

M1IKI-; TKKKITOKV OU SELL THEllJ ESTAISI.ISIIMENTS TIIEIK HXEKTl KES AHE M )T WELL KECEUED 

1!V MkXK AN Al TIK.IKITIES — 1.\ 1834: VaLLEJO WAS COM.MANHAME AT iSi iXUMA, AXD liEGAN T(J 
L'H>K SIIAKI' AFIEl: IH K Rl>MA.\S AT RoSS THE RfSSIANS i>I-IEl; THEIR I'KOPEKTV EnK SALE 

— iNVE.NTtiHv <iK THEiK i'i;oi'i;i;r V — IN 1841 THE RrssLws SELL Til Cai'taix JdHX A. Sit- 
ter AXII lAKK THEIli DEl'ARTLKK FiiR AlASKA SuTTEK TOi>K MdST (iF THE MOCK AM) MiME 

UF THE HOUSES T'O His Sa( RAM i;XIc i ESTABLISHMENT RiDW lOLL AND ReXXITZ AT Ri i>s AS 

SlTTEu's AGENTS — A TRII' TO RoSS TWENTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO — ReNXITz's STOKV AlioUT SHOUT- 
ING A (JKIZZLY' BEAK FoRT Ross AND ITS SURROLNDINGS IN 1888. 



^'S§(4A1N \vt3 turn to tliat busy bee-liive ot 
,-;xai indiistrv, the Muscovite settlement at Fort 
■^s^ Ross. We have somewhat in advance ^>f 
1880 shown what had been accomplished by 
tliat colony. The time had now come wlien its 
futuru u.vistence had to be determined. There 
was no motive for tiie Russians to hold an. occu- 
pancy limited by Rodetfa Bay on the south and 
the Gualala River on the north. At best, 
tiiere was but a narrow bench of seaboard avail- 
able for either farming or orazing purposes. 
True, there was a wealth of forest back of this 
mesa, but thev had already learned that this 
timber was not durable as material for ship- 
building. They had pretty well e\liauste<l the 
sujiply of timber from which pine jjitch ('(Uild 
be manufactured. Tan bark for the carrying 
on of their tanneries was their most promising 
continuing supply for the future. The agents 
of the Alaska Fur Company had already signi- 
fied to the California authorities a willingness 



to vacate Fort Ross upon payment for improve- 
ments. Through the intricate evolutions of red 
tape this was transmitted to the viceory of 
Mexico, and as that functionary took it as an 
evidence that tlie Russian colony at Ross was 
on its last legs, refusal was made on the ground 
that the Russians, having made improvements 
on ypanish territory, with material acquired 
from Spanish soil, they ought not to e.xpect 
payment for the same. While this is not the 
language, it is the spirit of the view the viceroy 
took of the subject. As a legal proposition 
this was doubtless true, but as a matter of fact, 
at any time after 1825 the superintendent at 
Ross had at his command sufMcieut of the arma- 
ment and munitions of war to have marched 
from Ross to San Diego without let or hin- 
drance, so far as the viceroy of Mexico was 
concerned. These Dons and Hidalgos seemed, 
however, to consider their rubrics to be more 
powerful than swords or cannon. As their 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



29 



overtures for sale had been thus summarily dis- 
posed of, the cold, impassive Muscovites pursued 
the eveu tenor of their way, and as the lauds 
around Fort Ross became exhausted by continu- 
ous farming they extended their farming opera- 
tions southward between tlie Russian River and 
Bodega Bay, and ultimately inland to the neigh- 
borhood of the present village of Bodega Corners. 
At the latter i)lace there were sevei-al Russian 
graves, in the midst of which there stood a 
(xreek cross, long after the Americans came into 
occupancy. The earliest American settlers in 
that neighborhood aver that the Russians had a 
grist-mill some two or three miles eastei'ly from 
Bodega Corners. Certain it is that the author- 
ities at San P'rancisco had notification that the 
Russians contemplated occupation for farming 
purposes as far inland as the present site of 
Santa Rosa. These rumors, whether true or 
not, doubtless accelerated the movement of 
Spanish colonization in that direction. 

Governor Wrangeli, now having control in 
Alaska, seems to have taken an intelligent view 
of the whole situation, and realized that unless 
the company, of which he was head representa- 
tive, could obtain undisputed possession of all 
the territory north of the Bay of San Francisco 
and eastward to the Sacramento, it was useless 
to attempt a continuance at Ross. To achieve 
this end the Alaska Company was willing to buy 
the establishments already at San RafViel and 
Sonoma. The fact that the California authori- 
ties submitted these 2")ropositions to the Mexican 
government, now free from the yoke of Spanish 
rule, would indicate that by them such a propo- 
sition was not considered in the light of a 
heinous offense. Alvarado was then at the 
head of the California government and no doubt 
lie looked with great distrust, if not alarm, 
upon the number of Americans who were be- 
ginning to find their way into California. But 
General Vallejo, who was now almost autocrat 
on the north side of the Bay of San Francisco, 
was not, probably, so averse to Americans, as he 
had already three brothers-in-law of Yardvce 
bluciil. Through these kinsmen, who were all 



gentlemen of good intelligence and education, 
A^allejo had become well informed in reference 
to the push and energy of the xVmerican people, 
and hence it is quite certain that he did not 
favor any permanent occupancy here by any 
European power. In truth, while the California 
government had confined itself to wordy pen 
remonstrances with the occupants of Ross, in 
1840 A'allejo seems to have made quite a show 
of calling Rotclief, the then sujieriutendent at 
Ross, to accountability for having allowed the 
American ship Lausanne to land and discharge 
passengers at Bodega as though it were a tree 
port. Some of these passengers, who went to 
Sonoma, were incarcerated by the irate Vallejo, 
and he even sent a file of soldiers to Bodega to 
give warning that such infractions would lead 
to .serious consequences if persisted in. This 
was the nearest to an open rupture of amicable 
relations that ever occurred between Spaniard and 
Muscovite on this coast that we find any record 
of, and this could not have been of a very san- 
guinary nature, for it seems that Vallejo and 
Rotchef were on social good terms afterward. 
The proposed accjuisition of territory by 
Governor Wrangeli met with no encouragement 
from the Mexican Government, in reference 
to this matter Bancroft says: "The intention of 
tiie Russians to abandon Ross and their wish to 
sell their property there, had, as we have seen, 
been announced to Alvarado, and by him to the 
Mexican government, before the end of 18-10. 
In January 1841, Vallejo, in reporting to the 
minister of war his controversy with Rotchef 
and Krupicurof, mentioned the prop(jsed aban- 
donment, taking more credit to himself than the 
facts could justify, as a result of that contro 
versy. The Russians had consulted him as to 
their power to sell the buildings as well as live- 
stock to a private person, and he had been told 
that 'the nation had the first right,' and would 
have to be consulted. The fear that impelled 
him at that time to answer thus cautiously was 
that some foreigners from tiie Columbia or else- 
where might outbid any citizen of California, 
and thus i-aise a question of sovereignty, which 



30 



HTSTOUY OF SONOMA COtfNTY. 



might prove ti-unlilesoirie in the future to Mexi- 
can interests. \'allej\i also urged tlie govern- 
ment to lurnisli a garrison, and authorize the 
jilantino- of a eolony at the abandoned post. In 
I'el/ruarVi Imwever, Kostromitiiiot', representing 
tlie company, proposed to sell the property to 
Vallejo himself lor !S30,000, payable half in 
money or ijills of the Hudson Bay Company, 
and lialf in produce delivered at Yei'ba Bueiia. 
The (xeneral e.xpressed a willingness to make tlie 
]iurchase, but could not pi'omise a definite deci- 
sion on the subject before July or August. 
I'emling the decision, the Russian agent seems 
to liave entered, perhaps secretly, into negotia- 
tions with Joliii A. Sutter, who at that time was 
not disposed to buy anything but moveable 
property. Meanwhile a reply came from 
Mexico, tiiough by no means a satisfactory one; 
since the government — evidently with some kind 
of an idea tliat the Russian officials had been 
frightened away, leaving a flourishing settle- 
ment to be taken possession of by the Califor- 
uians — simply sent useless instructions about tiie 
details of occupation and form of government 
to be established. In July Kostromitinof re- 
turned from Sitka, and negotiations were recom- 
mended. Alvarado was urged to come to 
Sonoma, but declined; thongh he advised 
Vallejo that in the absence of instructions from 
Mexico the Russians had no right to dispose of 
the real estate. An elaborate inventory of the 
property offered for sale at $30,000 was made 
out, but Vallejo's best offer seems to have been 
$9,000 for the live stock alone." 

In a foot note Bancroft gives the inventory of 
property offered for sale whicli is as follows: 
'• St^uare fort of logs, 1088 feet in circumfer- 
ence, twelve feet high, with two towers; com- 
mandant's house of logs (old), 36x48 feet double 
boarde<l roof, six rooms with corrider and 
kitchen; ditto (^new) of logs, 24x48 feet, six 
rooms and corridor; house for revenue officers, 
22x60 feet, ten rooms; barracks, 24x66 feet, 
eight rooms; three warehouses; new kitchen; 
jail; chapel, 24x36 feet, with a belfry, and 
a well fifteen feet deep. Outside of the 



I fort: blacksmith shop, tannery, liath-house, 
cooper's shoji, bakeiy, carpenter's shop, two 
windmills for grinding, one mill moved by 
animals, three threshing floors, a well, a stable, 
sheep-cote, hog-pen, dairy house, two cow 
stables, corral, ten sheds, eight baths, ten 
kitchens, and twenty-four houses, nearly every 
one having an orchard. At Kostromitinof 
rancho, house, farm buildings, corral, and boat 
for crossing the river Slaviauka. At Khlebnikof 
rancho, adobe house, farm buildings, bath, mill, 
cori'al. At Tschernich, or Don Jorge's rancho, 
house, sto e, fences, etc. At Bodega, warehouse 
30x60 feet, three small houses, bath, ovens, 
corrals. As this list of improvements was 
made out by Russian hands it may be accepted 
as a true statement of the conditions at and in 
the neighborhood of Ross in the last year of 
Russian occupation there. The only omission 
of consequence seems to have been the orchard 
some distance i)ack of the fort, on the hillside, 
and a vineyard of 2000 vines at what is desig- 
nated " Don Jorge's rancho." In reference to 
this rancho, Belcher in his notes of travel in 
1837, mentioned a i-ancho between Ross and 
Bodega claimed by a ci-devant Englishman (D. 
Gorgy), yielding 3,000 bushels of grain in good 
years. 

Governor Alvora as well as Vallejo evidently 
thought that they had Kostromitinof in a corner 
so far as his ability to sell the Ross property 
was concerned, and their only real concern was 
lest he would make a bonfire of the buildings 
rather than leave them for Mexican occupation. 
But in this they were mistaken, for a purchaser 
was found in Captain John A. Sutter. In refer- 
ence to the sale thus consummated Bancroft says: 
" Sutter, like Vallejo, had at first wished to pur- 
chase the live-stock only; but he would perhaps 
have bought anything at any price if it could 
be obtained on credit; at any rate, after a brief 
hesitation a bargain was made in Septeml)er. 
Tiie formal contract was signed by Kostromi- 
tinof and Sutter in the office of the sub-prefect 
at San Francisco, with Vioget and Leese as 
witnesses, December 13. By its terms Sutter 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUFTT. 



31 



was put ill possession of all the property at 
Ross and Bodega, except the land, as specified 
in the inventory, and he was to pay for it in 
four yearly installments, beginning September 
1, 1842. The first and second payments were 
to be !?i5,000 each, and the others of $10,000; 
the first three were to be in produce, cliiefiy 
wheat, delivered at San Francisco free of duties 
and tonnage; and the fourth was to lie in money. 
The establishment at New Helvetia and the 
property at Bodega and the two ranchos of 
Khlebnikof and Tschernich, which property was 
to be left intact in possession of the company's 
agents were pledged as guarantees for the pay- 
ment. It would seem that Alvarado, while 
insisting that the land did not belong to the 
company and could not be sold, had yielded his 
point about the buildings, perhaps in the belief 
tiiat no purchaser could be found ; for the Kus- 
sians say that the contract was approved by the 
California government, and it is certain that 
there was no official disapproval of its terms." 
It will be borne in mind that Kostroinitinof, 
who executed this contract with Captain Sut- 
ter, was the head officer of the Alaska govern- 
ment while, at the time, Liotchef was manager 
at Ross. When it came to a delivery of the 
property Sutter seems to have induced Mana- 
ger Rotchef to give him a writing ante-dating 
the contract above referred to one day, in which 
Rotchef certified that the lands held by the 
company for twenty-nine years was inchuled in 
the sale to M. Le Capitaine Sutter of the other 
effects of the comj^any for the sum of §30,000. 
It was upon the shadowy title to land thus ac- 
quired by certificate of a subordinate officer 
who haiVno jiowcr to confirm any such sale, that 
Ilussian title to land along the coast became a 
stalking spectacle among American settlers in 
after years. 

Previous to this sale of the lioss and Uodega 
j)r()perty to Sutter, a portion of the former oc- 
cupants there had Ijeen transferred to Alaska 
stations. Manager liotchef, together with the 
remaining emjdoyes of the company, took 
their departuie from Ross in the late days of 



1841 or early in January of 1842, on board the 
Constantine, bound for Alaska. While all of 
them, doubtless, had cherished associations and 
memories of the land to which they returned, 
we imagine that it was not without sore and 
sad hearts many of them watched the receding 
outlines of Fort Ross and the evergreen forests 
that forms its enchanting back-ground. Thus, 
in a day, where for near!}' a third of a century 
had been heard the ringing of hammer and 
anvil; the noisy labor of ship-carpenters and 
calkers and the din of coopers, a sudden silence 
fell, seemingly like that which hovered over 
that quiet spot just south of the fort where a 
(xreek cross marked the last resting place of 
those who had ended their life-work there. 
Even the stock that had been reared there were 
gathered together and driven to the Sacramento 
valley ranch of C!aptain Sutter. And as if the 
hand of fate had turned entirely against Ross, 
Sutter, by means of a schooner he had acquired 
in the purchase from the Russians, even carried 
away from Ross several buildings with which 
to adorn the inner court of his fort at New- 
Helvetia. This will account for the absence at 
Ross of many buildings enumerated in the cat- 
alogue at the time of sale by the Russians. As 
Fort Ross occupies a first prominence in the 
history of Sonoma Comity it will not be out of 
place to follow its history to its end in this 
chapter. 

In reference to the departure of the Rus- 
sians from Fort Ross, Bancroft says: '-One 
Russian, and perhaps several, remained on the 
ranches to look out for the company's interests. 
Sutter sent Robert Ridley to assume charge for 
him at first; but John J-iidwell took his place 
early in 1842, and was in turn succeeded iiy 
William Bennitz late in 1843. Meanwhile 
most of the moveable property, including the 
cannon, implements, and most of the cattle, was 
removed to New Helvetia. Tiie few hundred 
cattle left behind soon l)ecame so wild that if 
meat was needed it was easier to catch a deer 
or bear. The Californians made no effort to 
occupy the abandoned fortress; since having 



39 



JlIsTOnr OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



virtually consented to tlie sale of everytliing 
l)Ut the land, the govern nient liail iio pi'ojicrty 
tu he jiTdtected there." 

As already stated William llennitz took jios- 
session uf the Ross propei-ty as Gutter's agent 
ill 1843. He subsequently leased the property, 
ill about 1845, and still later purchased the 
Imildings and fort and became possessor of the 
Miiniz or Fort Ross grant e.xtending along tiie 
coast from the Russian River northward to a 
iioiiit just above tiie present Timber Cove. 
Mr. liennitz, with liis family, lived at i'"ort Ross 
until 1807, when he sold the property and re- 
moved tci ()akland. In 1874 he went to the 
Argentine Repuliiic, and died there in 187('). 

The writer visited Fort Ross twenty-seven 
years ago, when the palisade walls of the en- 
closure were still in good preservation, as also 
the buildings within, together with the (ireek 
ehapel and hectagonal block-houses described 
above by Duliant Cilly. As even then the 
country from Bodega to the Guaiala River was 
comparatively unsettled by Americans, we will 
liere introduce our description of the trip as it 
appeared under the caption of '-Editorial Jot- 
tings by the Wayside," in the Anjv-s of July 
30, 1861: 

" Leaving Petaluma in the afternoon, a few 
hours' ride brought us to Blooinfield, where we 
were greeted by numerous friends; and accepted 
the liospitality of our old friend W. B. Wood, 
of the firm of Wood it .\rthur. It is hardly 
necessary to inform our readers that this flour- 
ishing village is located in the center of Big 
Valley, and that the valley and upland sur- 
rounding is very prolific in its yield of cereals, 
' spuds,' and Republicans. A dress parade, in 
the evening, of a company of youthful zouaves, 
who marched to music extracted from a tin can, 
convinced us that the martial spirit of that vil- 
lage was thoroughly aroused, and that with such 
a home-guard Blooinfield can bid defiance to 
Davis and his emissaries. 

"At an early hour in the morning, we were 
galloping down the valley in the direction of 
Bodega Corners. On either side of the road. 



and as far as the eye could scan, was one unin- 
terrupted vista of grain fields, in every stage of 
harvesting, from the gavels that were drop]iing 
from the reapers that were clattering on every 
hand, up to the shock in the field or the new 
made stack in the barnyartl. Bodega Corners 
is on the Smith grant, and consists of a iiotel, 
two stores, a Catholic church, blacksmith shop, 
etc. After passing the Corners we were with- 
out chart or compass, having entered upon a 
region by us une.xplored. For several miles our 
course lay along Salmon Creek, the road in 
many places being arched over by the tangled 
wildvvood through which it was cut; then taking 
a bridle trail leading over a mountain that over- 
looked the deep blue ocean, we followed its zig- 
zag windings to the month of the Russian 
River. Here we performed a feat only second 
to that of Moses and his followers crossing the 
Red Sea with dry sandals: the sea swell iiaving 
cast up a barrier of sand across the mouth of 
the river, forming a bridge upon which we 
crossed, without our steed dipping his feet in 
water. He evidently regarded it as a dangerous 
undertaking, for every time the surf, after re- 
ceding as if to gather strength, would come 
rolling up hissing and seething, narrowing the 
space down to fifteen or twenty feet between the 
deep river on the one hand and the briny deep 
on the other, he would attempt to take the back 
track, apparently having lost all confidence in 
either our prudence or judgment. Across the 
river, our course lay along the coast; and as 
Fort Ross was twelve miles distant, without a 
liuman habitation intervening, we whiled away 
the hours by noting the ever-varying land8ca])e 
or watching tlie surf as it broke in a long line 
of white spray against the rock-bound coast; or 
anon the eye would be relieved by the appear- 
ance of a coaster, with fullrspread canvas, 
gliding over the billows with the grace of a sea 
gull. Passing over a spur of the mountain 
clothed with a heav}' forest of redwood and fir, 
we entered an opening from whence we looked 
down upon Fort Ross, on the level plain below. 
" Before proceeding further, it may not«be 



IW^TonY OF SONOMA OOUNTT. 



out of place to inroiiii niir reiiders tliat Fort 
Koss was tuiiiidcd soiiiu lil'ty years ago by Rus- 
sian!-, who settled at that point for the pui'pose 
of capturing sea otter; which pursuit they fol- 
lowed for perhaps twenty years. Aside from 
the fort buildings, enclosed by a higli and sub- 
stantial palisade wall over one hundred yards 
square, there was, at one period, some sixty 
dwellings; but they have crumi)leil and passed 
away. After tliey left this coast, the property 
changed hands several times; but was purchased 
by the present proprietor, Mr. Bennitz, eight- 
een years ago, and he has been in occupation 
ever since. 

''As we descended the slope toward the Fort 
we felt as if approaching a spot entitled to a 
prominent place in the antiquity of our State. 
The Greek churcli of Russian architecture that 
forms one corner of the quadrangle; the two- 
story hectagonal sentry-house of solid hewn 
tiinlier, forming the diagonal corners of the pali- 
sade, and witli loop-lioles for cannon and small 
arms; and the massive gates wliicli protect the 
front entrance; conjured up to our mind con- 
jectures of the scenes of which it was the 
theater, long, long years ago. 

'• Having a letter of introduction to Mr. 
I'ennitz, we dismounted, and the ponderous 
gate yielded to our pressure and swung back 
creaking upon its rusty liinges. All the ap- 
pointments inside were in keeping with those 
without; strength and durability predominating 
over tlie ornamental. The substantial dwelling, 
the outhouses ranged around tlie square, the 
well in the center, the four huge mastitis of the 
St. Bernard and Newfoundland l)reed that 
fondled around us as we approached the dwell- 
ing, completed a picture that came nearer our 
conception of the surroundings of some of the 
old feudal barons than anytliing we ever expe- 
rienced before. AVe presented our letter to Mr. 
Hennitz, wlio is a very intelligent German, and 
iu! at once extended to us the hospitality of iiis 
mansion. Mr. liennitz lives in a woi'ld by 
himself; iiaving a domain that extends from 
the moutli of Russian River, eighteen miles up 



the coast, and untenanted except by liis raijueros, 
who are stationed at various points to take care 
of his stock. His isolated position deprives his 
children of the advantages of a public school; 
but to atone for this lie has employed a private 
teacher, competent to impart instruction in both 
the English and (ilerman languages. 

" Refreshed by our night's sojourn at Fort Ross 
wo continued on our journey up the coast. The 
first place worthy of note above the Fort is 
Timber Cove. Here, our late fellow-townsman 
Mr. KalkitKin,is located, and in company with Mr. 
Snaple, owns a mill which is turning out aljout 
25,000 feet of lumber every twenty-four iiuurs. 
Two schooners were taking in cargoes of lumber 
for San Francisco market. The [)roprietoi-s 
have constructed a substantial railway extending 
from the mill half a mile up the canon, down 
which they bring saw-logs on a car. 

Four miles above Timber Cove we passed 
Salt Point. Duncan's mill used to be located at 
this place; but has been removed to a point two 
miles distant from the mouth of Russian River, 
in consequence of which this Point has lost 
considerable of its importance, as is manifest 
by its group of tenantless houses; but its qnarry 
of excellent stone, considerable of wliich is be- 
ing shipped to the navy yards at Mai-e Island, 
may give new vigor to the place. 

" b'our miles beyontl Salt Point we passed 
Fisk's mill. This mill cuts about S,000 feet of 
lumber daily. Its supply of timiier is inex- 
haustible; and we hope its proprietors may reap 
the rich reward wliich their enterprise merits. 

" I'y noon we had reached a distance of twen- 
ty miles above Fort Ross, and we stopped for 
refreshments at the Ranch House of Dealer, the 
claimant of the German grant. Here is a 
stretch of plain extending np and down the 
coast for ten miles, that is unsurpassed in beaiitv 
of location or fertility of soil anywhere between 
Point Reyes and I'oint Arenas. The plain 
varies from one-(|uarter to two miles in breadth, 
and with just sufficient incline from the footliills 
to the beach to afford a splendid sea view. The 
mountains borderinii; it arc er)\'ered with a 



31 



HISTORY OF SONOifA COpNTY. 



perfect wildt-riiess of forest, of incalculable 
value. 

"Ten miles more had to be traversed up the 
coast before we turned our face homeward; and 
Chris. Stingle, of the Hauch House, volunteered 
to act as our guide and companion. AVe were 
soon dashing pellniell over the plain up the 
coast; Chris, in the meantime entertaining us 
by relating hunting adventures and pointing out 
spots where he liad killed elk, bear, or other 
game of lesserconsequence. Five miles brought 
us to the crossing of the Gualala Kiver, where 
we entered Mendocino County. Here the 
mountains closed in upon the beach, and timber 
stood so close upon the brink that if uprooted 
it would fall in the surf lielow. Up to this 
point we had found the roads and trails reasona- 
bly good, but those five miles from the Gualala 
to Fish Rock were the concentrated essence of 
break-neck roads. Deep gorge after gorge lay 
athwart our way, and in many places a false step 
would have precipitated both horse and rider 
down to certain destruction. Before reaching 
this point we had been so indiscreet as to inform 
our companion that we had had considerable 
equestrian experience, and as he took the lead 
and did not dismount, a sense of honor prompted 
us to remain in the saddle even at the risk of 
our neck. 

"At Fish Rock there is a mill in process of 
erection, in which will be placed the machinery 
formerly used in the Perkins mill, Bodega. 
This is a good location, thei-e being an inex- 
haustible supply of good timber and a secure 
harbor for vessels to lay while receiving cargoes 
of lumber. 

" We returned to the Ranch House that night, 
and as tired as we were, we did ample justice to 
the bachelor fare of Chris, and his two com- 
panions. In the morning we were in saddle 
bright and earl}', and accompanied by our com- 
panion of the previous day, who accompanied 
us several miles on our return, started on our 
way down the coast. We had rode about two 
miles when the practiced eye of Chris, spied 
a grey fox between us and the beach. It allowed 



us to approach within forty paces, when a shot 
from our revolver warned it to seek safety in the 
chapjjarel on the foot-hills half a mile distant. 
The chase across the level plain was spirited 
.and exciting, our horses seeming to enjoy the 
sport, strained every nerve to overhaul his fox- 
ship, and succeeded several times in doing so 
and attempted to jump upon him, but with the 
cunning, characteristic of his tribe, by tacking 
and doubling he finally outgeneraled us and 
reached cover. So ended our fox chase. A few 
miles further un we parted with our companion 
and continued on our course down the coast 
alone. At night-fall we were again welcomed 
to the hospitality of the Fort Ross mansion. 
The next day being the Sabbath, the rest for 
which it was set apart was needed by both our- 
self and our jaded horses, but as circumstances 
rendered our immediate return necessary, we bade 
our host and his excellent lady good-by at eight 
o'clock in the morning and at eight o'clock in 
the evening arrived in Petaluma, having rode 
forty-five miles mostly over a very mountainous 
country."' 

At the time of our visit to Fort Ross above 
described, Mr. Bennitz related to us many thrill- 
ing adventures in connection with his residence 
there. Some years later we wrote a series of 
California sketches entitled "Wayside Memo- 
ries" and one of the sketches under the caption 
of " A Random Shot"' was a recital of an occur- 
rence near Fort Ross, as related to us by Bennitz. 
We reproduce it here: 

"Said Mr. Bennitz: 'At the time 1 purchased 
the Fort Ross property there were around and 
in the neighborhood of the Fort a large num- 
ber of Indians. Voluntarily they have become 
almost a part of the estate and as obedient to 
my orders as if mind, soul and body. I then 
raised a large amount of grain, and had thou- 
sands oi' head of cattle, which gave me ample 
opportunity to utilize the labor of these untu- 
tored aborigines. As my influence over them 
mainly depended on the kindness and considera- 
tion with which they were treated, I let no 
opportunity pass to give them evidence of my 



ffTSTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



regard Inr tlifir plunMiiu and welfare. They, 
like all Indians 1 know ul', were passionately 
fund of personal decoration, and for ornamenta- 
tion prized nothini;- more higlily than the plu- 
mage of birds. Ono tlay my Indians wei-e noticing 
some vultures, or ('alifornia condors, on the 
pine trees some distance up the mountain side 
back of the Fort, and 1 overheard them express- 
ing a wisii that they had some of the feathers. 

"■Saying nothing I quietly took my gun and 
sallied forth, determined if possibe to gratify 
their desire. i>y tackino; backward and forward 
along the mountain side I gradually worked my 
way up to the trees where the vultures were. 
The heavy foliage of the pines prevented my 
getting a ready view of the game I was seeking. 
With my gun cocked and the muzzle pointing up 
I was moving cpiietly side- wise with eyes peer- 
ing into the canopy of l)oughs, when I was 
startled by tlie breaking of a stick close to my 
right. 

" ' (_)ne look was enough to set every hair of 
my head on end I Not much over the length of 
my gun from me stood, erect on its hind feet, a 
grizzly bear of monster size — at the time he 
seemed to me ten feet high! By impulse, I 
wheeled, brought my gun to a level, and with- 
out any attempt at taking aim, fired. The bear 
pitched forward upon me and we fell together — 
my gun flying out of ray hands, and some dis- 
tance away. I was frightened beyond the power 
of language to express. The bear and I had 
fallen together, but I had given myself a rolling 
lurch down the mountain which, for the moment, 
took rae out of the reach of his dreaded jaws. 
This advantage w;is not to be lost; and 1 kept 
going over and over without any regard to 
elegance of posture, until I had got at least two 
hundred yards from where 1 fi'll; and when I 
stopped rolling it was a problem with me which 
I was most, dead or alive. 

'"1 ventured upon my feet and looked cauti(jus- 
ly around, but could see no grizzly. To borrow a 
miner'sexpression, 'I began prospecting around.' 
I had an earnest desire to get hold of my gun, 
but a dislike to the neigjliborhood in which we 



had parted company. With the utmost caution 
I woi'ked my way up to a position overlooking 
the s|)ot where 1 and the grizzly together fell. 
To my surpiise, and gratification as well, there 
lay the bear stretched at full length, and dead. 
My random shot had proved what seldom occurs 
to grizzly bears, a dead shot. That,' said Mr. 
Bennitz, knocking the ashes out of an elegant 
meerschaum, 'was the biggest scare of my 
life.' ■• 

AVhile we have carried our chapter descrip- 
tive of Ross beyond the limits of Russian occu- 
pation we feel warranted, on account of its 
historic surroundings, in tracing its history to a 
conclusion in this chapter. As already stated, 
William Eennitz sold the Ross property in 1867, 
Charles Fairfax and a man named Dixon being 
the purchasers. They managed the property 
for a few years, when Fairfax died. In winding 
up the estate and business of the firm it became 
necessary to sell the property. J. W. Call be- 
came the purchaser of the upper and much the 
larger proportion of the ranch, on which stands 
the old Fort Ross buildings; and of the south- 
erly end Aaron Schroyer bought a large 'tract. 
These gentlemen are practical in their ideas of 
business and the property is now so handled as 
to yield a profit. After a lapse of twenty-seven 
years we visited Ross in October, 1888. We 
found a great change from conditions as thev 
were when Dennitz lived there. Through the 
very center of the grounds once enclosed Iiy a 
heavy stockade, now a county road runs. The 
Bennitz residence is converted into a public 
hotel, and a building once used as quarters for 
Russian officers is now a saloon. In an outside 
building is a store and postotficc. The towers 
in what was the diagonal corners of the fortress 
are now roofless, and, in consequence? of the 
worm-eaten condition of the K>gs are canting 
over, and it is only a (picstion of time when 
they will topple to the ground. The (ireek 
chapel yet stands erect with roof and belfry in 
fair preservation; but is no longei- used for holy 
purposes. Even the Russian cemetery to the 
south of the fort, that was quite plainly visible 



uiarour of ho^^/oma vounty. 



twenty-seven years ago is now nearly obliter- 
ated. Accompanied by Mr. Call we visited the 
old liiissian orchard half a mile back from the 
fort. Tiie fence made of heavy split boards by 
the liussians is still in fair preservation. We 
entered and plucked Spanish bellflower apples 
from trees planted by the Russians, back of 
1820. -The twenty or thirty apple, plum and 
prune trees yet standing are moss-covered and 
their bark honey-combed by the busy bills of 
birds. AVe went back still further and took a 
walk through the redwood forest of new growth 
that has sprung up from stumps of trees first 
cut by the liussians when tiiey settled at lloss. 
><'ot over half a dozen of the old redwood forest 
trees are standing in the grove, and but for 
the fact that the stumps are there yet from 



whicli the present forest sprang, we should not 
have recognized it as a forest growth of the 
present century. The trees have made mai'vel- 
ous growth. Having a pocket rule with us we 
measured a tree that was four and a half feet in 
diameter; and we were assured by Mr. Call that 
there were trees in the grove full live feet in 
diameter. This grove is, doubtless, of from 
.sixty to seventy-live years' growth. We are 
thus e.xact and explicit in reference to this forest 
of new growth because we know there is a wide- 
spread fear that in consequence of the rajjidity 
with which our redwood forests are being con- 
verted into lumber, that species of timber will 
ultimately become extinct. Kight there, uver- 
shadowing old Fort IJoss, is the refutation (.if 
such fallacy. 



ITTt^TORr OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



3t 







me::!co urges colonisati north of m mim. 



•r^r^ ,J-, 1J ^r ^i^rrzrr^Torr;^^^ ^^-^-^ ^'^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^ jjIzrp^J^rt J^ ^^-^^; 



:#%:I-%:J5^ 




CHAPTER V 



CtOVKRNoK FkuKROA, IX ORF.niKNCE Til IXr^TRrrTIi iXS FROM MkXICO SETS ON FOriT A COI.OXIZATION 

KNTERl'RISK ATTEMPT TO ESTABLISH SETTLEMENTS AT PeTALL'MA AND SaNTA KoSA IN 1833 

THE ATTEMPT AT SaXTA RoSA FAILED IN 1835 SoNOMA MAS LAID OUT AS A PAT.LO AND MADE THE 

CENTER 01' MILITARY POWER AND SECULAR COLONIZATION NORTH uF THE 1!AY YaLLE.Ki AlTHiiR- 

IZED TO OFFER COLONISTS GRANTS OF LAND VaLLE.TO BECOJIES A ci iXTRi )LI.INU PI)\VE1£ IX THE 

NORTH HE MAKES AN ALLIANCE WITH InDIAN ChIEF SoLANO, AND HOLDS ALL nTHER JxDIAN 

TRIBES IN SUIi.IEi TIuN UNDER HIS MANAGEMENT THE MISSION SaN FraNCISCO SolANO WAS 

SKCUr.ARIZED IN 1884-'0 AND THE I'ROl'ERTY DISTRIBUTED AMONG THE NEOPHYTES — THE IxDIANS 
M'ERE FREED FROM MISSION RULE AND MANY WENT BACK 10 THEIR TRIBES — YaLLE.10 HAD Id WAR 
WITH SOME OF THE InDIAN TRIBES OCCASIONALLV, BIT THEV USUALLY WERE GLAD T(i EXTICR INTO 
AND ABIDE BY TREATY STIPULATIONS — IN 1838 THE SMALL-POX GOT AMONG THE IxDIAXS AXD THOU- 
SANDS DIED — ALONG IN THESE YEARS ValLE.IO SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO MAINTAIN THE 
SiiXOMA MILITARY AT HIS ciWX EXPENSE. 



fCHEAUDIA had become Governor of 
California by appointment of the Mexican 
(Tovernment. He was ordered as early as 
in 1827 to establish a fort on the northern 
frontier, either at San Rafael or San Francisco 
Solano. The presence of the Russians at Ross 
doubtle.-s inspired this order, and then such a 
post would not only be a notice to those Mus- 
covites that they must not venture further 
south, but would be a source of security and 
protection to the newly founded missions as 
well. The (Tovernor had no funds to put in 
successful execution the order. The next year 
he seems to have ordered a i-econnoissance for a 
suitable place for a military station, but nothing 
further was done at that time. 

The years had sped; (Jalifornia was rent with 
internal disoord: the old missions Jiad been 



looted until they were fast going to ruin, and 
on the 14th of January, 1833, Figueroa arrived 
at Monterey, the newly appointed (Tovernor. 
To evolve order out of chaos seemed to lie his 
high resolve. B^igueroa liad received special 
instructions from the Mexican Government to 
push occupation and settlement of the northern 
frontier with energy. In obedience to these 
instructions Alferez Vallejo was ordered to 
make an exploration, select a site, and offer land 
to settlers. To aid in this work the old missions 
were exjiected to bear the principal expense. 
Either through inability or flagging zeal in be- 
half ol' ;i government that was always impecuni- 
ous, the padres did not respond to this new levy 
upon their resources. Vallejo, in obedience to 
orders, made a tour to IJodega and Ross. Tiiat 
fall Vallejo made an attempt to esta!)lisb scttU'- 



UlSTOliY Ub' liONOMA COUNT Y. 



ments at Petaluma and Santa Rosa. Bancroft 
says: "Ten heads of families, tifty persons in 
all, agreed to settle at the former place (Peta- 
luma), hitherto unoccupied; but the padre at 
San Francisco Solano, hearing of the project, 
sent a few men to build a hut and place a band 
of horses at that point in order to estalilish a 
claim to the land as mission property. Two or 
three of the settlers remained and put in crops 
at Petaluma, Yallejo himself having ten bushels 
of wheat sown on his own account. The padre's 
representatives also remained, and the respective 
.claims were left to be settled in the future. 
Much the same thing seems to have been done 
at Santa Rosa, where a few settlers went, and to 
which point the padre sent two neophytes with 
some hogs as the nucleus of a mission claim. All 
this before January 8, 1834:. In his speech of May 
1st to the deputacion, Figueroa mentioned the 
plan for northern settlement, but said nothing 
to indicate that any actual progress had been 
made. Tlie 14tli of May, however, he sentenced 
a criminal to serve out his term of punishment 
at the new establishment about to be founded 
at Santa Rosa. In June the rancho of Petaluma 
was granted by the (xovernor to Yallejo, and the 
grant approved by the deputacion, this being 
virtually an end of the mission claim. Respect- 
ing subsequent developments of 1834r-'5 in the 
Santa Rosa Valley, the records are not satisfac- 
tui'v; but Figueroa, hearing of tiie approach of 
a colony from Mexico, resolved to malce some 
preparations for its reception, and naturally 
thought of the northern estalilishment, which 
he resolved to visit in person. All that we 
know positively of the trip is that he started 
late in August, extended his tour to Ross, e.x- 
amined the country, selected a site, and having 
left a small force on the frontier, returned to 
Monterey the 12th of September. To these 
facts there may be added, as probal)ly accurate, 
the statements of several Californians, to the 
effect that the site selected was where Vallejo's 
settlement and Solano neophytes had already 
erected some rude Imildings, that the new place 
was named Santa Anna y Farias, in hitnur of the 



President and Vice-President of Mexico, and 
that the settlement was abandoned the next 
year, because the colonists refused to venture 
into a country of hostile Indians." 

The scheme of founding a frontier post at or 
near Santa Rosa seems to have proved a failure; 
at least the next move with that end in view 
was in the direction of Sonoma, where the 
mission San Francisco Solano had already run 
its course under ecclesiastical rule, and was then 
in process of secularization under the manage- 
ment of M. G. Vallejo as cominissionado. This 
failure of the attempted estalilishment of a 
settlement at Santa Rosa by Governor Figueroa, 
in the face of the fact that eleven years previous 
Altimira, taking his life in his hand, had estab- 
lished a mission at Sonoma, inclines us to take 
off our hat in reverence to that padre, although 
his zeal may, at times, have befogged his better 
judgment. History should be both impartial 
and just, and the records unmistakably show 
that the Catholic missionaries had occupied the 
field embracing the main portion of Sonoma 
County at least ten years Ijefore the military 
and civil authorities exercised dominion here. 
Figueroa still adhered to his policy of establish- 
ing a frontier settlement and garrison north uf 
San Francisco Bay. 

The following, the letter of instruction to 
Gen. M. G. Vallejo from Governor Jose Fig- 
ueroa in relation to the locating and governing 
of "a village in the valley of Sonoma," was 
transmitted only a few njonths before that (Jov- 
ernor's death: 

" POLITICAI. GOVEKXMENTOF LFl'ER CALIFORNIA . 

" Comma ml ancy- General of Upper California. 
" Monterey, June 24, 1835. 
" In conformity with the orders and instruc- 
tions issued by the Supreme Government of the 
Confederation respecting the location of a village 
in the valley of Sonoma, this cominandancy 
urges upon you that, according to the topo- 
graphical plan of the place, it be divided into 
quarters or squares, seeing that the streets and 
jil(i~af; be regulated so as to make a beginning. 
The inhal>itants are to be governed entirely by 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



39 



said plan. This govennnciit ami coiiuuandancy 
approves entire!}' of the lines designated by you 
for outlets — recognizing, as the property of the 
village and public lands and privileges, the 
boundaries of 1 Vt;iliini;i, Agna Culienta, Tlan- 
chero de Iluertica, l.ena ile Sur, Salvador, 
Vallejo, and La Vernica, on the north of the 
city of Sonoma, as the limits of its property, 
rights, and privileges — requesting that it shall 
be commenc-ed immediately around the hillj 
where the fortification is to be erected, to pro- 
tect the inhabitants from incursions of the 
savages and all others. In order that the build- 
ing lots granted by you, as the person charged 
with colonization, may be fairly portioned, you 
will divide each square (inanzana) into four 
parts, as well for the location of each as to in- 
terest persons in the planting of kitchen gar- 
dens, so that every one shall have a hundred 
yards, more or less, which the government deems 
suttioient; and farther, lots of land may be 
granted, of from one hundred and fifty to two 
hundred yards, in openings for outlets, for 
other descriptions of tillage, subject to the laws 
and regulations on the sidiject, in such manner 
that at all times the uiunicipality shall possess 
the legal title. 

This government and commandancj'-general 
otters yon thanks for your efforts in erecting 
this new city, which will secure the frontier of 
the republic, and is contident that you will make 
new efforts for the national entirety. 

"(iod and liberty. Juse Frot'KKOA. 

" I)i)n 1\[. (-1. A'am.k.io, Military (Jommandante 
and Director (if C'lildiii/CMtion im the Northern 
Fnmtier.'" 

Under these instructions Vallejo proceeded to 
lay out and found the pueblo, giving to it the 
Indian name of Sonoma. From this act virtu- 
ally dates the real Mexican occupancy of Sonoma 
(jounty under military and civil rule. There is 
but little of record during the balance of 1825, 
anil for 1826 the most important mention is 
that Vallejo, in conjunction with Chief Solano, 
went on an exj>edition to punish the rebellions 



Yolos. And right here it is in place to record 
the fact that this Chief Solano seems to have 
been a ruler among the Indian tribes in every 
direction. General Vallejo's language to us 
was, " Solano was a king among the Indians. 
All the tribes of Solano, Napa and Sonoma were 
under tribute to him." Vallejo made a treaty 
with Solano and seems to have found in him a 
valuable lieutenant in all his futui'e dealings 
with neighl)oring Indians. Now that a pueblo 
had been established at Sonoma with Vallejo as 
commandante of this northern district, it had 
become an important factor in the Territorial 
government of California. Vallejo was then in 
the full vigor of young life, tired with the ambi- 
tion of those who believed that to them belonged 
a liberal share of the management and rule in 
Territorial government, and his somewhat 
isolated position, which necessitated his exercise, 
at times, of almost autocratic power, placed him 
in a position to be courted by those even in 
higher authority. That he should use his 
power for self-aggrandizement, within certain 
limits, was but natural. With his complicity 
in the revolutions and counter revolutions that 
in rapid succession were making and deposing 
California governors, forms no part of the scope 
of this history, and we shall only follow his acts 
in their Ijearings upon the future of Sonoma 
County. With Vallejo there seems to have 
been two dominant ideas, and both had founda- 
tion in good, practical sense. The tirst was 
that the Indians had to be subjected to a strong 
hand, and when so subjected, they were to l)e 
the subjects of protection and justice. The 
second was that the greatest danger to continued 
]\Iexiean supremacy in California was from the 
eastward. While there may have been a degree 
of selfishness and jealousy to inspire it, he was 
none the less correct in his judgment that the 
Sutter establishment at New Helvetia was a 
center around which clustered dangers imt 
properly appreciated by the (Jalifornia govern- 
ment at IVIouterey. While he failed to arouse 
the authorities to the magnitude of the danger, 
he at least discharged his duty as an (illicer of 



UlsToUy of liONOMA aoUNTY. 



that government. Tlie triitli was tliat Sutter, 
after lie transfen-ed to Jlelvetia the armament 
of Ross was becoming a "power behind the 
tlirone greater tiian the throne itself," and 
Vallejo could not be blind to the fact that it 
was liable to prove a "Trojan horse with belly 
full of armed destruction '' to the future rule 
of Mexico in California. In the waning days of 
the rule of Micheltorena, Sutter had been 
clothed with power which almost rendered him 
potentate of the Sacramento Valley, and as his 
establishment was the iirst to be reached by 
immigration from the east, that year by year 
was increasing in volume, he did not fail to 
improve his opportunity to add to the strength 
of his surroundings. 

Although somewhat out of chronological 
order it is in place to follow the mission of San 
Francisco Solano to its end. Bancroft says: 
" Father Fortuni served at San Francisco Solano 
until 1833, when liis place was taken by the Za- 
cuteean, Josi- de Jesus Maria Gutierrez, who in 
turn changed places in March, 183i, with Pa- 
lire Lorenzo Qiiijas of San Francisco. Quijas 
remained in charge of ex-mission and pueblo as 
acting curate throughout the decade, but resided 
for the most part at San Rafael. Tiiough the 
neophyte population, as indicated by the reports, 
decreased from 7*50 to (550 in 1834 and 550 in 
1835, yet there was a gain in live-stock and but 
a slight falling off in crops; and the establish- 
ment must be regarded as having Honrished 
down to the date of secularization, being one of 
the ^tiw missiolis in California which reached 
tlieir iiighest population in the final decade, 
though this was natural enough in a new and 
frontier mission. Mariano C Vallejo was made 
commissionado in 1834, and in 1835-'6, with 
Antonio Ortega as majordomo, completed the 
secularization. Movable property was distribu- 
ted to the Indians, who were made entirely 
free, many of them retiring to their old ranche- 
rias. A little later, however, in consequence ot 
troubles with hostile gentiles, the ex-neophytes 
seem to have restored their live-stock to the 
care of Ceneral Vallejo, who iii^od th(^ property 



of the ex-mission for their benefit and protec- 
tion, and for the general development of the 
northern settlement. The General claimed that 
this was a legitimate use of the estate: and he 
would have established a new mission in the 
north if the padres wouhl have aiiled him. 
Doubtless his policy was a wise one, even if his 
position as guardian of the Indians in charge 
of their private property jiut by them in his 
care was not recognized b^' the laws. Moreover, 
there was a gain rather than a loss in live-stock. 
Thus the mission community haj no real exist- 
ence after 183)), though Pablo Ayula and Sal- 
vador Vallejo were nominally made administra- 
tors. The visitador made no visits in 1839, and 
apparently none were made in 1840. I suppose 
there may have been 100 of the ox-neophytes 
living at Sonoma at the end of the decade, with 
perhaps 500 more in the I'cgion not relajised 
into barbarism."' And here ends the career of 
the mission San Francisco Solano. If its san- 
guine founder, Padre Altimira, could revisit it, 
and the old San Francisco mission tliat he 
thought was •• on its last legs " he wouhl learn 
how fallible is human judgment. 

Sonoma was now a pueblo and (Tcneral M. G. 
Vallejo, ascommandante of the northern district, 
the most conspicuous personage in this latitude 
until the end of Mexican i-ule. As such it is 
in place to introduce him more fully to the 
reader. According to Bancroft "he was the 
son of the ' Sargento distinguido " Jgnacio ^'al- 
lejo and of .\[aria Antonia l^ugo, being, on the 
paternal side at least, of pure Spanish blood, 
and being entitled by the old rules to prefix the 
'Don" to his name. In childhood he had been 
* the associate of Alvarado and Castro at Monte- 
rey, and his educational advantages, of which 
he made good use, were substantially the same 
as theirs. Unlike his companions, he chose a 
military career, entering the Monterey company 
in 1823 as a cadet, and being promoted to be 
alferez of the San Francisco company in 1827. 
He served as habilitado and as conimandante of 
both coni|>anies, and took part in several cam- 
paigns against Indians, besides acting as fiscal or 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



defensor in various military trials. In 1830 he 
was elected to the depntacion, and took a promi- 
nent part in the opposition of that body to Vic- 
toria. In 1832 he married Francisca l^enicia. 
daughter of Joquin C/arrillo, and in 1834 was 
elected dipntado snjdente to Congress, lie was 
a favorite of Figueroa, who gave him large tracts 
of land north of the bay, choosing him as com- 
niissionado to secularize San Francisco Solano, 
to found the town of Sonoma, and to command 
the frontier del norte. In his new position Val- 
lejo was doubtless the most independent man in 
California. His record was a good one, and 
both in ability and experience he was probal)l3' 
better fitted to take the position as command- 
ante general than any other Californian." This 
latter position was conferred upon Yallejo by 
Alvarado, who by a turn of the revolutionary 
wheel had become governor, (xeneral Vallejo 
was unquestionably the right man in the right 
place when he was placed in control at Sonoma 
after the secularization of the mission San 
Francisco Solano. As a military man he would 
not brook any insubordination to his will or 
commands, but in dealing with the Indians he 
seems to have pursued a policy wise and just 
beyond anything ever before attempted in Cali- 
fornia. In the Indian Chief Solano he saw the 
ready means to acquire easy control of all other 
Indians occupying a wide sweep of country. In 
making Solano his friend and coadjutor in keep- 
ing distant tribes in respectful submission, he 
seems not to have compromised himself in any 
manner so as not to hold Solano himself subject 
to control and accountability. Having been 
speaking of the turbulence of southern Indians 
for the years from 1836 to 1840 Mr. Bancroft 
says: "Turning to the northern frontier we find 
a diH'erent state of things. Here there was no 
semblance of Apache i-aids, no sacking of 
ranches, no loss of civilized life, and little col- 
lision between gentile and ('hristian natives. 
The northern Indians were more numerous 
than in the San Diego region, and many of the 
tribes were brave, warlike, and often hostile; 
but there was a comparatively strong force at 



Sonoma to keep them in check, and General 
Vallejo's Indian policy must be regarded as 
e.xcellent and effective when compared with any 
other policy ever followed in California. True, 
his wealth, his untrammelled power, anil other 
circumstances contributed much to his success; 
and he could by no means have done as well if 
placed in command at San Diego; yet he must 
be accredited besides with having managed 
wisely. Closely allied with Solano, the Suisnn 
chieftain, having always — except when asked 
to render some distasteful military service to 
his political associates in the south — at his com- 
mand a goodly numl)er of soldiers and citizens, 
made treaties with the gentile tribes, insisted 
on their being liberally and justly treated when 
at peace, and punished them severely for any 
manifestation of hostility. Doubtless the In- 
dians were wronged often enough in individual 
cases by Yallejo's subordinates; some of whom, 
and notably his brother Salvador, were with 
dilKculty controlled; but such reports have been 
greatly exaggerated, and acts of glaring injustice 
were comparatively' rare. 

" The Cainameros, or the Indians of Cainama, 
in the region toward Santa Rosa, had been for 
some years friendly, but for their services in 
returning stolen horses they got themselves into 
trouble with the Satiyomis, or Sotoyomes, gen- 
erally known as the Guapos, or braves, who in 
the sj)ring of 1836, in a sudden attack, killed 
twenty-two of their number and wounded fifty. 
Yallejo, on appeal of the chiefs, promised to 
avenge their wrongs, and started April 1st with 
fifty soldiers and one hundred Imlians besides 
the Cainamero force. A battle was fought on 
the 4th of April, and the Guapos, who had taken 
a strong j)Osition in the hills ot the Geyser region, 
were routed and driven back to their ranches, 
where most of them were killed. The expedi- 
tion was back at Sonoma on the 7th without 
having lost a man, killed or wounded. On June 
7th Yallejo conchuled a treaty of peace and 
alliance with the chiefs of seven tribes — the 
Indians of Yoloytoy, (iuilitoy, Ansatoy, Ligna- 
ytoy, Aclutoy, Chnmptoy and the Guaiios, who 



4-2 



ItlSTORT OF SONOMA COUNT T. 



had voluntarily come to Sonoma for that pur- 
pose. Tlie treaty provided tliat tiiere sliould l)e 
friendsliip between tlie trii)es and tlie garrison, 
that the Cainauieros and Guapos should live at 
peace and respect each otiier's territory; that tlie 
Indians shonid give np all fngitive Cluijstians 
at the request of the commandante, and that 
they should not hurn the fields. It does not 
appear that Vallejo in return promised anything 
more definite than friendship. Twenty days 
later the compact was approved by Governor 
Chico. A year later, in June, 1837, Zampay, 
one of the chieftains of the Yoloytoy — town and 
rancheria of the Yoloy, perhaps meaning of 
the 'tnles,' and which gave the name to Yolo 
County — became troublesome, committing many 
outi-ages and trying to arouse the Sotoyomes 
again. The head chief of the tribe, however, 
named Moti, offered to aid in his capture, whicli 
was effect'ed by the combined forces of Solano 
and Salvador Yallejo. Zampay and some of 
his companions were held at first as captives at 
Sonoma, but after some years the chief, who had 
been a terror of the whole country, liecame a 
peiiceful citizen and industrious farmer."' 

"In January, 1838, Tobias, chief of the 
Gnilicos, and one of his men were brought to 
Sonoma and tried for the murder of two Indian 
fishermen. In March some of the gentile allied 
tribes attacked the Moquelumnes, recovered a 
tew stolen horses and brought them to Soijoma, 
wliere a grand feast was held for a week to cele- 
brate their good deeds. In August fifty Indian 
horse-thieves crossed the Sacrainento and ap- 
peared at Suseol with a band of tame horses, 
their aim being to stampede the horses at 
Sonoma. Thirty-four were killed in a Lattle 
with Vallejo's men, and the rest surrendered, 
the chief being shot at Sonoma for his crimes. 
On October 6, Vallejo issued a printed circular, 
in which he announced that Solano had grossly 
abused his power and the trust placed in him, 
and broken sacred compacts made with the 
Indian tribes by consenting to tlie seizure and 
sale of children. Vallejo indignantly denied 
the rumor that these outrages had been com- 



mitted with his consent, declaring that Solano 
had been arrested, and that a force had been 
sent out to restore all the children to their 
parents." \"al]ejo's statement in regard to this 
back-sliding of Chief Solano is that evil-dis- 
posed persons have plyed him with liquor until 
he was so dazed as not to be master of his 
actions, and that after being sobered up in the 
guard-house he was both ashamed and penitent. 
In this year, 1838, there came a terrible 
pestilence, the small-pox, which made sad havoc 
among the Indians. It is said that a Corporal 
named Ygnacio lliramontes contracted the dis- 
ease at Fort Koss and i-eturning to Sonoma the 
disease was soon broadcast among the Indians. 
General Vallejo is our authority that the In- 
dians died by the thousands. He thinks that 
not less than 75,000 died in the territory north 
of the bay and west of the Sacramento River. 
In some cases it almost blotted tribes out of ex- 
istence. The Indian panacea for all ills was 
resort to the sweat-house, supplemented by a 
plunge in cold water. Such being their remedy, 
it may well be believed that the small-pox left 
desolation in its track. Mr. John TValker, of 
Sebastopol, states that when he reached the 
Yount rancho, iXapa County, in 18-1(5, Mr. 
Yount pointed out to him an Indian girl, the 
sole survivor of her tribe after the small- 
pox had run its course. Yount stated that lie 
visited the rancheria and that dead Indians 
were lying everywhere, and the only living 
being was the girl referred to, she, an infant, 
was cuddled in an Indian/ basket. At Mr. 
Walker's ranch is a very aged Indian, and 
through an interpreter he recently informed us 
that during the prevalance of the small-pox his 
people at Sebastopol for a long time died at the 
rate of fi'om ten to twenty a day. During the 
present year (1888), while excavating earth 
with which to grade a road near Sebastopol a 
perfect charnel of human bones was found, 
doubtless where the small-pox victims of 1838 
were buried. As stated elsewhere, that pesti- 
lence paved the way for peaceable occupation of 
this territory liv immigrants. There were not 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



43 



enough Indians left to offer any serious resist- 
ance to tlie free occupancy of their former 
liunting grounds by civilized !naii. 

In 1830, as an evidence that colonization was 
advancing northward, it is recorded that twenty- 
five families had cast their lot in the northern 
frontier. Some of these families, doubtless, 
came with the Hijar-Padres colony that came 
from Mexico in 1834. Many of those colonists 
visited Sonoma — then San Francisco Solano — 
but owing to political complications Hijar was 
looked upon witJi suspicion, and his scheme of 
founding a colony came to nanglit. It is said 
that a few of his people remained north of the 
bay, but most of them returned south to the 
older settlements. We find I'ecord of a young 
Irishman named John T. Reed locating in 
Santa liosa Township, near the pi-esent place of 
Robert Crane, in 1837, but who was driven out 
l)y the Indians. And also the location near 
Santa Rosa, in 1838, of Senora Maria Ygnacia 
Lopez de ("arillo. Of the first attempt to 
found a settlement at, or near Santa Rosa, there 
is evidence that it pruved futile, and yet we 
find little of authentic record as to the reasons 
why the enterprise was abandoned, other than 
that settlers did not feel secure in so advanced a 
]iosition among untutored savages. We find, 
also, an accredited rumor that the mission San 
Francisco Solano was destroyed by the Indians a 
few years after it was founded. This story must be 
founded on uncertain tradition, for we have 
tbund no authentic record of such an occurrence. 

We have thus far, up to 1840, found little 
ditliculty in tracing the lines of reliable history. 
But the nearer we get to the final end which 
culminated in American occupancy the more we 
are befogged and in doubt of the di\ idirig line 
between facts and fiction. What tin intelligent 
reader will most want to kuoiv will be as to the 
actual settlement and occupancy of' Sonoma 
County by Californians prior to the raising of 
the Bear Hag at Sonoma. If we take as our 
guide the various Spanish grants and the dates 
of their reputed occupancy there was but little 
ot the arable laud of the county that was not 



already the habitation of civilized man; and yet 
we find but little tangible evidence of such 
advanced conditions of civilization. Vallejo 
had, with great enterprise and labor, reai'ed an 
establishment on the Petaluma grant that even 
yet stands as a monument to his energy and 
enterprise. The Corrillos had made lasting 
improvements at Santa Rosa and Sebasto])ol. 
Mark West had established himself at the creek 
that bore his name, and had erected substantial 
adobe buildings. Henry D. Fitch had reared 
buildings of permanency on Russian River, 
near the jjresent site of Ilealdsburg; Captain 
Stephen Smith had established a residence and 
mill at Bodega, and Jasper Ofurrell had made 
a good show of permanent occupancy at his 
place in the red woods. Fort Ross had now 
passed into the hands of William Eennitz, and 
was an establishment of comparative ancient 
date. Outside of the evidence of occupancy 
thus enumerated, except those of Sonoma \a\- 
ley, there wei-e only a few, and they of so transi- 
tory and ephemeral in character as almost to 
have jiassed from the memory of our pioneer 
American inhabitants. For a time Sonoma 
had been I'egarded as an important frontier mil- 
itary station by the California government, and 
seems to have received some fostering care and 
assistance, but dniing later years the govern- 
ment seems to have acted on the princii)le that, 
as Vallejo had all the glor^' of defending the 
frontier, he could do it at his own expense, lie 
seems to have, in time, tired of this expensive 
luxury. Bancroft says: "The ])residial com- 
pany in 1841-'43, and probably down to its dis- 
bandment by Vallejo in 1844, had between forty 
and fifty men under the command of Lieut. 
Jose Antonio Pico; and there were besides 
nearly sixty men lit for militia duty, to say 
nothing of an incidental mention by the alcalde 
of 100 citizens in his jurisdiction. ('aptain 
Salvador Vallejo was commandante of the post 
and no civil authority was recognized down to 
the end of 1843, from which time municipal 
affairs were directed l)y two alcaldes, Jacob P. 
Leese and Jose de la Rosa, holding successively 



44 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COVNTT 



t.lie first alcaldia." Tims, it will be seen, tliat 
there was virtually only two years of civil rule 
here previous to the Bear Flag revolution. 
AVliile "N'allejo still had an armament embracing 
nine cannon of small caliber, and, perhaps, two 
hundred muskets, yet the whole military estab- 
lishment seems to have been in a condition of 
" innocuous desuetude." The only notable event 
of local importance in 1845 was a raid, seem- 
ingly made by Sonoma rancheros. upon the 
Ross Indians to secure laborers. Several In- 



dians were killed and loU were eaptint.d. 
William Hennitz complained of outrages coni- 
•mitted on the Indians at his rauclio. That 
such matters were made the subject of court 
investigation shows that civil authority was l)e- 
ginning to assert itself. The leading offenders 
in this last instance of Indian mention under 
Mexican rule, were Antonio Castro and Rafael 
fxarcia. AVe have now reached the beginning 
of tlie end of ^Vfexifan rule, the conclusion of 
which will be found in the next chapter. 



HltiTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 




Cn AFTER VI. 



Mexican kii.k ix Cafjimibma xeakink its knu — tiik Califuknia lkadkrs (,iuakkei,in(. amcuMt 

TUKJ[SEI.\ES — WAK EXl-Et TEU BETWEEN THE UnITEU StATES AXU MeXICO AMERICANS IN CaLI- 

KORNIA IN a riflCEISIl rOSITION WHAT L\ K'KIN WAS EXPECTED TO HO -WHAT P'uMoNT DID DO 

Bancroft's instructions to Commodore Sloat — Vallejo — Sutter — Fremont and Gilles- 

riE TIIEIK MEETING AND THE MIDXIUII r ATTACK RY IxDIANS FrEMoXt's RETURN DOWN THE 

Sacramento Valley — the Americans naturally (;atiierei) around hiji — the settlers ripe 

FOR action THEY CAPTURE A BAND OF HORSES BELON(;IX<i TO GENERAL CaSTRO- -THEY INCREASE 

THEIR FORCE, AND FOUR DAY'S LATER, CAl'TUKED SoNoMA WHO THE REVOLUTIONISTS WERE AS FAR 

AS THEIR NAMES ARE KNOWN ALL ABOUT THE CAPIURE OF VaLLE.Io AND OTHERS IloW IT WAS 

DONE — -WHAT TRANSPIRED DURING THE NEGOTIAITOXS BEIWEEN THE REYOLUTIONISTS AXD I'RIsox- 
ERS — THE PRISONERS JOURNEY TO SacRAMENTO — HOW RECEIVED AND TREATED I!Y FrEMi 'NT. 



N historic events like that of the taliiiig of 
Sonoma and the hoisting of the bear flag, 
we naturally expect to Unci some continuity 
of antecedent causes leading up to the occur- 
rence. Iiut that great event stands out, in Ijold 
relief, a conspicuous exception to the rule. Like 
Topsy who averred " I was not born'd — 1 jes 
growed up," the 15ear Flag party seemed to be 
■laboring under equal perplexity as to their or- 
igin and ultimate destiny. The happy outcome 
of their venture can be compressed into the sin- 
gle sentence, "All is well, that ends well." 
Search and sift history as we may there can be 
found no authentic connection between the 
little band of adventurers and any responsible 
United States authority. There has been a great 
deal said and written upon the subject that 
inclines the casual reader of history to believe 
that the taking of Sonoma was but the first act 



in a well matured j)hiu which was to ultiiiiate 
in placing California under the stars and 
stripes of the United States; but wu tiiul noth- 
ing to warrant such conclusion. The majority 
of the bear flag party were frontiersmen witii 
more nerve than education and to believe them 
capable of carrying out to a successful conclu- 
sion the secret orders of United States Govern- 
ment authorities, and never after disclosing the 
same, would be too great a tax upon even ex- 
treme credulity. It is true. General Fremont 
had been in California for some time, ostensibly 
at the head of a scientiflc expedition, but with 
a force at his back ample to render secure his 
travels while here, but till now it has never been 
revealed that he was clothed by the govern- 
ment that he represented with any powers of a 
revolutionary character. While his attitude 
had been defiant of California authority and 



46 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



liis hoisting of the American flag on Gabilan 
I'eak, ahiiost in sight of the California capita], 
a l)old affront to Castro, California's military 
chieftain, yet there is no evidence, as yet, that 
his acts were otlier than the efl'ervescence of an 
individual disposed to magnify the importance 
of his mission. The ettects of Fremont's acts 
were' two-fold. The Californians believing him 
to he acting under instructions from his govern- 
ment, iiatui'ally believed that he was here for 
the purpose of fomenting a revolutionary spirit 
among foreigners resident here, and they were 
more disposed than ever to enforce the laws 
priihibitoryof indiscriminate immigration. The 
American settlers finding themselves more and 
more the objects of suspicion by the California 
authorities, luiturally took it for granted that as 
Fremont had l)een the instrninent of inciting 
the authorities to a more rigid enforcement 
against them of existing immigration laws, lie 
knew what he was about, and would stand by 
them if tronble came. 

Aside trom the fact tluit all knew that war 
was imminent between the United States and 
Mexico, California was rent and torn by internal 
discord. The Territorial government had ever 
been, at best, a weak one, but during the past 
decade it had gone from bad to worse, until 
chaos seemed to brood over the TeiTitory from 
Sonoma to San Diego. The government was 
divided; one part being administered from Los 
Angeles and the other from Monterey, and each 
wing in open revolt against tlie authority of the 
other. In the very teeth of a threatened danger 
from without, Governor Pio Pico at Los An- 
geles and General Castro at Monterey were 
seemingly only intent on each other's overtiirow. 
The action of Fremont, already referred to, in 
flaunting the stars and stripes upon Gabilan 
Peak seems to have brought General Castro to 
sometliing like a correct appi-eciation of the 
fact that there was great need of unification 
and eti'ort among California anthorities. This 
he tried to impress upon Pico in the south, but 
the suspicious governor saw fit to construe the 
efforts of Castro to get the military upon a de- 



fensive basis, into a menace to himself; and the 
people of the entire South seemed to be in en- 
tire accord with him on the subject. In truth, 
the peojile of the lower and upper portion of 
the Territory seem to have been as completely 
estranged and soured against each other as if 
their origin had been from distinct races. 
Llence, was witnessed the pitiful endeavor of Pio 
Pico to gather together a force sufficient to pro- 
ceed to Monterey for the purpose of sultjugat- 
ing Castro, at the very time the latter was 
eqnally intent upon gathering a force to meet 
what he conceived to be a great danger on the 
northern frontier. To California, the early 
months of 1846 seems" to have been a dark 
period to all, fruitful of junto meetings and 
dark-i'oom cabals, when all were suspicious of 
.each othei-, and it seemed politic for no man to 
let his right hand kimw what his left hand was 
doing. 

"While this comlition of doubt and uncer- 
tainty was nnmistakably trne as related to the 
Californians, it was only less trne, in a modified 
degi-ee, as related to the Americans then resi- 
dent here. Wliile they were united in heart 
and sentiment, they were completely out at sea 
without chart or compass, in the face of a 
brewing st<jrm. If Fremont's action in Monterey 
County had encouraged them to believe that he 
had authority to raise the standard of revolu- 
tion in California, that belief must have re- 
ceived a chill when he, a few weeks later, with 
his sixty men started northward to Oregon, 
with the avowed purpose of returning east by 
that ronte. That this was not a strategic move- 
ment on his part is evidenced by letters he 
wrote at the time both to his wife and his 
father-in-law, Hon. Thomas II. Benton. 

Thomas O. Larkin was the secret and confi- 
dential agent of the United States Government 
in California and he certainly' had no commi>- 
sion to do anything in the direction of encour- 
aging the raising of the standard of revolt in 
California. Fremont's conduct seems to have 
been to him a complete enigma. Larkin's in- 
structions were to feel the pulse of Californians 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



as well as Americans in reference to jieaceable 
annexatiun to the United States, and any demon- 
stration on the part of the Americans in the 
direction of violence and force could bnt com- 
plicate and render more ditticnlt his task. lie 
had sagacity enough to understand this, and 
seems to have directed all his energies in the 
direction of a j)eaceal)le solution of the problem 
he was to assist in working out. It must be 
iiorne in mind that Tliomas O. Larkin had long 
been a resident merchant in California and that 
his intimate connection and association with the 
leading men of California, both natives and 
foreigners, peculiarly fitted him for this labor of 
paving the way for peaceable annexation of 
California to the United States, l^ut that he 
was not taken into all the secret councils of the 
nation is manifest from the instructions of Hon. 
George Bancroft, the then secretary of war un- 
der President Polk, under date of June 24, 1845, 
nearly a year before war was declared between 
the United States and Mexico. The secretary's 
instructions to Commodore Sloat were: 

" If you ascertain that Mexico has declared 
war against the United States, yon will at once 
possess yourself of the port of San Francisco, 
and occupy such other ports as your force may 
permit. You will be careful to preserve, if 
possilile, the most friendly relations with the 
inhabitants, and encourage them to adopt a 
course of neutrality." 

On the 13th of May, 1846, war was declared. 
On that very day Secretary Uancroft again in- 
structed Commodore Sloat to cari-y out his first 
orders "with energy and promptitude." Only 
two days later we find Secretary Bancroft writ- 
ing the following instructions to Commodore 
Sloat: " A connection between California and 
Mexico is supposed scarcely to exist. You will, 
as opportunity offers, conciliate the confidence 
of the people of California. Yon will conduct 
yourself in such a manner as will render your 
occupation t)f the country a benefit," etc. In a 
dispatch dated dune 8, 1840, the Aincriran 
Secretary conies out a little plainer. Ho says: 
" If California separates herself from our enemy, 



the Central Government of Mexico, and estab- 
lishes a government of its own under the auspices 
of the American Hag, you will take such meas- 
ures as will best promote the attachment of the 
people of California to the United States. Von 
will bear in mind that this country desires to 
find in California a friend; to be connected with 
it by near ties; to hold possession of it," etc. 
On July 12 he speaks still plainer: "The ob- 
ject t>f the United States has reference to ulti- 
mate ])eace, and if at that peace the basis of 
i\\Q '• utl puasiiJetis' shall be adopted, the (iov- 
ernment expects to be in possession of Califor- 
nia." 

While the instructions to Larkin seem to 
have been of an entirely pacific and diplomatic 
character, it is quite evident that the authori- 
ties at Washington did not intend to allow the 
formalities of red tape to stand in the way of 
the acquisition of California. 

There were two men on the northern frontiei-, 
both occupying commanding positions, and each 
destined to fill a conspicuous place in the his- 
tory of those stirring times. One was General 
M. G. Vallejo, and the other Captain John A. 
Sutter. At this time, when California was 
Hearing her final struggle with manifest destiny, 
it is important to know just how and whei'e 
they stood. Much has been said and written 
on the subject, so much that it has become con- 
fusing and difficult to always determine where 
history ends and fiction begins. Vallejo and 
Sutter both were officers of the California gov- 
ernment and as such owed good faith and 
allegiance to their country. We find nothing 
to warrant the conclusion that either proved 
recreant to their trust. 

Vallejo evidently had a very sti-ong premoni- 
tion that California had reached the beginning 
of the end. So believing, he evidently had lit- 
tle heart or concern about the personal quarrels of 
Pico, Castro and other factious would-be leaders 
of California. When called into council on tiie 
alarming condition of the tiines, he was free to 
express his opinions, and so far as reliable evi- 
dence goes, it was always to the (jfiect that if 



HISTORY OF SONOJIA COUNTY. 



it eaine to the worst and a change of government 
had to be made, that it was to the United States 
that California could look for the strongest arm 
of jirotection and speedy development of lier 
latent resources. While those were his senti- 
ments expressed in council with his country- 
men, he in no wise seems to ha\e abandoned 
hope that C'alif(.)rnia might yet be safely steered 
through her dangers. This is evidenced by two 
circumstances. Governor Pico addressed a let- 
ter to Valiejo, probably in April, in which he 
eluded him somewhat sharply for his apparent 
adhesion to Castro, the every act of whom Pico 
seemed to regard as dangerous usurpation of 
military' power, the ultimate aim of which was 
the overthrow of the civil government. Vailejo's 
reply to Pico was both temperate and patriotic. 
He did not liesitate to admonish Pico that he 
was allowing his jealousy to befog his better 
judgment — that Castro was making an etfort to 
properly face a real danger, and he warned Pico 
that the time had come when unity of action 
was imperative if California would continue to 
exist in her present form. He pointed out to 
the Governor the folly of expecting a General 
in the face of a threatened danger, to wait for 
the transmission of orders such a long distance as 
intervened between Los Angeles and Monterey. 
These wise and temperate counsels of Valiejo 
seem to have been wasted upon Pico, for he 
appears to have gone forward in his endeavor to 
marshal a sufficient force to march to Monterey 
and overthrow Castro. The second circum- 
stance which shows that Yallejo had not yet 
lost all hope is the fact that early in June Cas- 
tro visited Sonoma on his mission uf gathering 
war supplies, and secured a large number of 
horses. Of these horses more will be said a 
little further on. Of what occurred between 
Yallejo and Castro at that time there seezns to 
be little of record. Intelligent reflection draws 
two conclusions somewhat difficult to harmonize. 
That a matter of 170 horses was furnished by 
Valiejo to Castro would clearly indicate that 
the former was willing to contribute liberally 
otward the common defense, for Castro lacked 



the power, if he had the will, to exact from 
Valiejo forced contributions. The next ques- 
tion to harmonize with a cheerful desire of 
Valiejo to heartily second Castro's seem i no- 
patriotic eflbrts is, why was it that Sonoma 
with an armament of nine cannons of various 
caliber, and at least two hundred muskets, was 
not brought into requisitiuii in a time of such 
great 2ierii; It was to the east and north that 
Castro was looking for lurking danger, and if 
that General and Valiejo were working together 
in perfect accord it seems little short of aniaziuir 
that Sonoma was left to repose in sleepy security 
without a cannon shotted or a musket in hand 
or sentinel to signal the alarm of an approach- 
ing foe. 

Of Captain John A. Sutter little need be 
said. Being a citizen by naturalization, his 
position was ditferent froni that of Valiejo. It 
is trne he was holding position under the Cali- 
fornia government, but his attachment to the 
country of his adoption never seems to have 
outweighed his own personal objects and aims 
in busii.ess. But even he is not chargeable 
with having been guilty of gross perfidy to the 
laud that had given him wealth and honor. 
This is evidenced by the two-fold fact that he 
took pains to warn the government at Monterey 
that a man named Gillespie, who had been at 
Monterey and was then following Fremont 
north, was a secret emissary of the United 
States. At the same time, and with possibly a 
less patriotic motive, he again called the atten- 
tion of the California government to the im- 
portance of strengthening itself in the 
Sacramento Valley, and for that purpose oft'ered 
to sell his establishment at New Helvetia. This, 
on his part, was business, simon pure, and 
should not be allowel to counterbalance too 
much of the good deeds and kind offices of that 
historic pioneer to the weary, travel-worn 
American immigrants, so many of whom en- 
joyed his benefactions. Sutter was a man of 
pretty good common sense and was not blind to 
the fact that California was liable to be in an 
eruptive state atany moment: and. like Mic.iw- 



HISTORT OF SONOilA COUNTY. 



ber, '> was just waiting tor something to turn 
up."' 

It was now in early May of 1846, and Gen- 
eral Fremont, with his sixty explorers, was well 
on his way northward, having pitched camp on 
the shores of Klamath Lake. General Castro, 
doubtless elated at having achieved a bloodless 
victory in taking the abandoned fort of F'remont 
on Gabilan I'eak, was now seeking new fields 
of glory. Pio Pico was yet in the south in- 
tent upon marshaling a sufficient force to war- 
rant him in visiting the northern end of the 
Territory of which he was governor. Consul 
Larkin was inditing confidential epistles to all 
such as to whom he thontrlit could be entrusted 
the secret and work of peaceable annexation of 
California to the United States. General il. G. 
Vallejo was in quiet repose at Sonoma, appar- 
ently having converted his sword into a plow- 
share, his spear into a jiruning hook, and his 
martial field-glasses into a medium through 
which to watch his herds and flocks upon a 
thousand hills. Captain John A. Sutter was 
looking after his fields of waving grain at Hawk 
Farm, doubtless anticipating a paying harvest, 
for the incoming immigration expected from 
over the mountains was variously estimated at 
from 1,000 to 5,000 souls. The hills and val- 
leys of this genial clime were doubtless clad in 
verdure and flowers; and yet the very air was 
oppi'essive with the forecast of revolution and 
sanguinary strife. 

A new Richmond, with closed visor, had now 
appeared upon the field. He anewered to the 
plain name of Archibald II. Gillespie, amd had 
reached Monterey the 17th of April. Larkin 
had already received a letter from James Bu- 
chanan, the then Secretary of State, informing 
him that, " Lieutenant Archibald II. Gillespie, 
of the marine corps, will immediately proceed to 
Monterey, and will probably reach you before 
this dispatch. He is a gentleman in whom the 
President reposes entire confidence. He has 
seen these instructions, and will co-operate as a 
confidential agent with you in carrying them 
into execution."' Gillespie was a month behind 



time in reaching Monterey in consequence of 
unavoidable delays in Mexico. That his dis- 
patches to Larkin were of a very important 
and secret character is evidenced by the fact 
that lest they might fall into Mexican hands, 
Gillespie had memorized them and then de- 
stroyed the paper upon which they were written. 
On reaching Monterey he was plain Mr. Gilles- 
pie, an American merchant, traveling for the 
benefit of his health. He was also the bearer 
of a letter of introduction from Hon. Thonjas 
H. Benton to his son-in-law. General Fremont, 
as well as a package of private letters from the 
same distinguished statesman to the " Path- 
finder." After lingering a little at Monterey, 
doubtless to give color to his assumed character, 
Lieutenant Gillespie one night embarked for 
New Helvetia, and arriving there at once began 
to arrange for an escort to accompany him on 
the trail of Fi-emont. It was then, as already 
stated, that Captain Sutter conveyed to the au- 
thorities at Monterey his suspicion that Gilles- 
pie was a secret emissary of the United States 
Government. Lieutenant Gillespie made all 
haste northward. Historian Bancroft gives the 
following graphic account of this journey and 
the tragic occurrences attending it: 

"This officer, of whose arrival I will have more 
to say presently, had reached Sutter's April 
28th, and Lassen's the 1st of May. From that 
point, with only five companions, Lassen, Xeal, 
Sigler, Stepp and a negro servant named Ben, 
he started May 2d, on Fremont's trail. On the 
7th two men were sent in advance, and the 
others encamped at the outlet of Klamath Lake, 
unable to ford the river, and having nothing to 
eat for forty hours. On the morning of the Oth 
a party of Indians made their appearance, who, 
with great apparent kindness, gave the travelers 
a fresli salmon for food, and ferried them ovei- 
the water in canoes. After a day's journey of 
some thirty miles, (iillespie met Fremont at 
sunset, at a stream named from the events of 
that night. Ambuscade Creek. The sixteen 
tired travelers retired early after the two parties 
were united on May 9th, and were soon sleep- 



UrsTDRT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



iiig souiully- Freiuoiit sitting up later than the 
rest to read his dispatches and letters from 
liome. The Indians were deemed friendly, and 
no watch was kept. Just before midnight the 
cam]) was attacked by savages, Basil Lajeunesse 
and a Delaware were killed as they slept, by 
Itlows from axes. The sound of these blows 
aroused Carson and Owens, who gave the alarm; 
when the Indians fled, after killing with their 
arrows a Delaware named Crane, and leaving 
(lead a chief of their number, who proved to be 
the very man from whom Gillespie had that 
morning been furnislied with food and aid 
further south. Next morning they started 
northward to join the main body, burying the 
bodies of their slain comrades on the way. The 
whole party started on the lltli down the east- 
ern side of the lake, wreaking terrible vengeance 
on the innocent natives along the route, if we 
may credit the statement of Kit Carson, who 
played a leading part in the butcheries. They 
reached Lassen's rancho on their return the 
24th, and a few days later moved their camp 
down to the Buttes." 

This awakens the reflection that the greatest 
of human events are subject to the modifying 
influence of currents and cross-currents; for had 
the Indians who made that midnight attack been 
successful in their evident design to massacre 
all in that unguarded camp, it is more than 
probable that the bear flag revolution would 
never have formed a chapter of Sonoma County 
history. Mr. Bancroft expresses the opinion 
that Gillespie's meeting with Fremont had 
nothing to do with the latter's return north- 
ward — that '' the Captain had nearly deter- 
mined, on account of the difiiculty of crossing 
the mountains into Oregon on account of the 
snow,"' to retrace his steps. We dissent from 
this view of the subject. If Gillespie was only 
the bearer of instructions to Fremont couched 
in the same language of diplomacy as that used 
by Secretary Buchanan in imparting to Larkin 
the duties devolved u])on him by the President, 
then the continued presence of Fremont could 
have served no good end. In truth, his con- 



tinued presence would be detrimental to the 
very object Larkin was expected to achieve. 
Gillespie must have had full knowledge of what 
Fremont had done at Gabilon Peak, and as he 
was the duly accredited secret agent of the 
United States government it is but reasonable 
to suppose that he would have at least some ad- 
visory influence with Fremont. Then, again, 
Fremont and Larkin were occupying entirely 
difterent positions, and it is quite probable that 
while the latter was expected only to use the 
weapons of diplomacy, the former may have 
been accorded discretionary power, if circum- 
stances seemed to warrant, to use more weighty 
arguments. But outside of all this it must be 
remembered that Gillespie had placed in Fre- 
mont's hands letters from Hon. Thomas II. 
Benton. The latter was just as near to the 
war-making power as was James Buchanan, antl 
he was under no trammel to measure his words 
with red tape. While he was not in a position 
to give Fremont either instructions or orders, it 
is fair to presume that he would intimate to the 
husband of his favorite daughter the true con- 
dition of affairs and impress upon him the im- 
portance of holding himself in readiness to 
improve any opportunities, such as were liable 
to suddenly arise, for preferment and position. 
To believe that Fremont had an}' serious in- 
tention of leaving California just at a time when 
he mnst have known that right here and then 
he was upon the very eve of the fruition of Ben- 
ton's most ardent expectation, would be to im- 
pute to him a lack of regard for name and fame 
singularly at variance with reputed character of 
either himself or Mr. Benton. 

But we now put behind us matters specula 
tive and enter upon the domain of thrilling 
facts. During Fremont's absence north there 
were all kinds of wild rumors afloat, and they 
lost nothing as they passed from mouth to 
mouth. Castro's war preparations had been 
magnifled into an expressed purpose on his part 
to drive the American settlers out of the coun- 
try. It was rumored and so believed, that the 
Indians of the Sacramento Valley were being 



BISTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



incited tu an iiprisiiifr and tliat as soon as the 
grain fields were far enough advanced to be 
conihustible, llie torch woiikl be applied. Cap- 
tain Sutter seems to have given credence to 
these stories, tor he was on an active Indian 
campaign against some of tlie lawless tribes. 
Fremont had moved camp from the IJuttes to 
Rear Iliver, near where Nicholas now stands. It 
was but natural that his camp should become 
tile head centre, around which the hopes and ex- 
pectations of his fellow-countrymen should clus- 
ter. The settlers knew that Gillespie was act- 
ing upon some authority of the United States 
government, and his swift haste northward af- 
ter Fremont, and the latter's e(j^ually speedy re- 
turn, had to them a significance that they were 
close to exciting times. There is nothing of re- 
cord to show that General Fremont either coun- 
selled action, or quiet, on the part of American 
settlers. He seems to have been a passive lis- 
tener to the recital of their plans and grievances, 
but somehow, the most unlettered of those 
frontiersmen, gathered from his very silence, 
assent that he would stand between tliem and 
harm. The people were ripe for revolution and 
the favored chance to strike the first blow op- 
portunely came. 

As has already been stated, General Castro's 
visit to General Vallejo in the first week of June 
resulted in his securing 170 horses. Having 
achieved this much toward placing himself up- 
on a stable war footing, Castro returned by boat 
to Yerba Buena, entrusting the horses to the 
care and management of his private secretary, 
Francisco Arce, Lieutenant Jose Alaria Alviso, 
and an escort of eight men for safe conduct to 
Santa Clara. Leaving Sonoma with the l>and 
of horses, they reached what is now Knight's 
Landing, on the Sacramento Iliver, where a 
crossing was effected, and on June 8tli they 
reached Sutter's Fort. It is alleged that Arce 
told some one on his I'oute that the horses were 
for Castro, and to he used in driving the Amer- 
ican settlers out; but this was probably idle 
rumor. But whether true or not, it served to in- 
tensify the excitement, which was now at about 



white heat. On the afternoon of June 9tii, 
eleven or twelve Americans started on the trail 
of Arce and Alviso and their band of horses. 
These men are said to have started from the 
neighborhood of Fremont's camp, and a man 
named Ilensley is the authority that they were 
sent by Fremont; but this lacks the evidence 
that should back a historic fact. In j)assing New 
Helvetia, this company was increased by two 
new recruits. Ezekiel Merritt commanded the 
expedition. Of its members, Sempel, Henry L. 
Ford and Granville V. Swift, afterward for 
long years a resident of Sonoma County, are 
the only names known with certainty. Cross- 
ing the American River late iu the evening, 
they made their first stop at the rancho of Allen 
Montgomery, who not only furnished them a 
supper, but he, with another man, accompanied 
them to lend a hand at striking this first blow 
of revolution. Arce and Alviso had stopped for 
the night at the rancho of Murphy, using his 
corral for their horses. Merritt and his men 
camped within three miles of the place, and at 
early dawn, on the morning of the ever memor- 
able lOtli of June, 184:6, swooped down upon 
the unsuspecting Arce and Alviso, and in a 
trice had them and their men disarmed. That 
Merritt and his men were not heartless desper- 
adoes is apparant from the fact that they allowed 
the vanquished to retain each a horse, and recog- 
nized Alviso's claim to a few more as private 
property; after which their arms were restored 
to them and they were made the bearers of a 
message to Castro, that if he wanted his horses 
he could come after them. Arce also reported 
to Castro that the insurgents had declared their 
purpose to take Sonoma. This declaration of 
their intent was a subject of official announce- 
ment at Monterey two days before Sonoma was 
captured, wliicli proves that Arce and Alviso 
had not falsely reported the utterance of Merritt 
and his followers. The revolutionists, with their 
band of horses, were back to the neighborhood 
of Fremont's camp within forty-eight hours af- 
ter they set out on their mission. While there 
seems to have been no ]>reconcerted action on 



HISTonr (IF .sONfiMA COUNTY. 



the part u\' tlie Aniuricau settlers in this high- 
handed act, tliey all seemed to have assented to 
the fact tliat tlie bridges had been burned behind 
them, and all they had to do now was to 
"light it out on that line if it took them all 
summer." 

It was the lltli of June that Merritt and his 
followers returned with Castro's horses. They 
seem to have acted on the principle of '• making 
hay while the sun shines," for on that afternoon 
the company was increased to twenty men, still 
led by lizekiel ilerritt, who took their departure 
in the direction of Sonoma. That night they 
reached Gordon's on Cache Creek where they 
halted for refreshments, and then made a night 
march to Napa Valley, which they reached on 
the forenoon of June 12th. In Napa Valley 
they remained two days, evidently for the pur- 
pose of strengthening their force; which they 
did by the enrollment of twelve or thirteen 
additional men. The force now numbered 
either thirty-two or thirty-three, who, so far as 
is now ascertainable, i-esponded to the following 
names: Ezekiel Merritt, AVilliam B. Ide, John 
Grigsby, Robert Semple, II. L. Ford, William 
Todd, William Fullon, William Knight, Will- 
iam Ilargrave, Sam Kelsey, G. F. Swift, Sam 
Gibson, W. W. Scott, Benj. Dewell, Thomas 
Cowie, William B. Elliott, Thomas Knight, 
Horace Sanders, Henry Booker, Dav. Hudson, 
John Sears, and most of the following: J. II. 
Kelly, C. C. Griffith, Harvey Porterfield, John 
Scott, Ira Stebbins, Marion Wise, Ferguson, 
I'eter Storm, Pat. McChristian, Bartlett Vines, 
Fowler, Jolin Gibbs, Andrew Kelsey, and Benj- 
amin Kelsey. It was about midnight of Satur- 
day the 13tli of June that this motley crowd of 
frontiersmen took to saddle and proceeded across 
the hills intervening between Napa Valley and 
the Pueblo of Sonoma. J ust at break of day 
they reached that fortified stronghold of north- 
ern California, and neither baying of watch- 
dog nor cackling of goose ai'oused the sleeping 
Sonomans to a sense of impending danger. 
Every reader will e.xpect to hear, in detail, ex- 
actly wh;it transpired on that memorable occa- 



sion. Hubert Howe Bancroft has in his pos- 
session many of the original documents con- 
nected with that event, or authenticated copies. 
He is certainly in a position to give as near the 
absolute facts in connection therewith as will 
ever be attaiiiable, as very many of the partici- 
pants in the capture of Sonoma are now dead. 
We have had from General Vallejo's own lips 
a statement of the individual part he played in 
the event, and it is substantially the same as 
recited by Mr. Bancroft. Believing that hist- 
orian Bancroft gives a true and reliable version 
of the whole occurrence we incorporate it here. 
It is as follows: 

'' At dayl)reak Vallejo was aroused by a noise, 
and on looking out saw that his house was sur- 
rounded by armed men. This state of things 
was sufficiently alarming in itself, and all the 
more so by reason of the uncouth and even fero- 
cious aspect of the strangers. Says Semple: 
Almost the whole party was dressed in leather 
hunting-shirts, many of them very greasy; tak- 
ing the whole party together, they were about 
as rough a looking set of men as one could well 
imagine. It is not to be wondered at that any 
one woiild feel some dread in falling into their 
hands. And Vallejo himself declares that 
there was l)y no means such a uniformit}- of 
dress as a greasy hunting-shirt for each man 
would imply. Vallejo's wife was even more 
alarmed than her husband, whom she begged to 
escape by a back door, but who deeming such a 
course undignified as well as impracticaljle, 
hastily dressed, ordered the front door opened, 
and met the intruders as they entered his sala, 
demanding who was their chief and what their 
business. Not much progress in explanation 
was made at first, though it soon became appar- 
ent that the Colonel, wdiile he was to consider 
himself a prisoner was not in danger of any per- 
sonal violence. Lieutenant-Colonel Prudon and 
Captain Salvador Vallejo entered the room a few- 
minutes later, attracted by the noise, or possibly 
were arrested at their houses and brought there; 
at any rate, they were put under arrest like the 
Colonel. Jacob P. Leese was sent for to serve 



niSTORT OP SONOMA COtTNTT. 



as interpreter, after whicli imitnal expliuiations 
progresised more favorably. 

•' Early in the ensuing negotiations between 
prisoners and filibusters, it became apparent 
that the latter had neither acknowledged leader 
nor regular plan of operations beyond the seizure 
of government projjerty and of the officers. 
Some were acting, as in the capture of Arce's 
horses, merely with a view to obtain arms, 
animals, and hostage — to bring about hostilities, 
and at the same time to deprive the foe of his 
resources; others believed themselves to have, 
undertaken a revolution, in which the steps to 
be immediately taken were a formal declaration 
of independence and the election of officers, 
Merritt l)eing regarded rather as a guide than 
captain. All seemed to agree, however, that 
they were acting under Fremont's orders, and 
this to the prisoners was the most assuring feat- 
ure in the case, ^'allejo had for some time 
favored the annexation of California to the 
United States. He had expected and often 
predicted a movement to that end. There is no 
foundation for the suspicion that the taking of 
Sonoma and his own capture were planned by 
himself, in collusion with the filibuster chiefs, 
with a view to evade responsibility; yet it is cer- 
tain that he had little if any objection to an en- 
forced arrest by officers of the United States as a 
means of escaping from the delicacy of his posi- 
tion as a Mexican officer. Accordingly, being 
assured that the insurgents were acting under 
Fremont, he submitted to arrest, gave up keys 
to public property, and entered upon negotia- 
tions with a view to obtain guarantees of protec- 
tion for non-combatants. 

"The guarantees sought were then drawn up 
in writing and signed by the respective parties. 
The originals of those documents are in my 
possession, and are given in a note." 

The following are the documents referred to 
by Mr. Bancroft: 

"Sonoma, June 14, 184G. 

"Be it known by these presents, that, having 
been surprised by a numerous armed force 
wiiich took me j)risoner,. witli the chief and offi- 



cers belonging to the garrison of this place that 
the said force took possession of, having found 
it absolutely defenseless, myself as well as the 
undersigned officers pledge our word of lienor 
that, being under the guarantees of prisoners of 
war, we will not take up arms for or against the 
said armed forces, from whlcli we have received 
the present intimation, and a signed writing 
which guarantees our lives, families, and prop- 
erty, and those of all the residents of this ju- 
risdiction, so long as we make no opposition. 
M. J. Valle,to, 
Victor Prudon, 
Sai.vadot; Yai.i.e.io.''' 

" We, the undersigned, have resolved to es- 
tablish a government of on (upon?) republican 
principles, in connection with others of our 
fellow-citizens, and having taken up arms to 
support it, we have taken three Mexican officers 
as prisoners, Gen. M. J. Vallejo, Lieut. -Col. 
Victor Prudon, and Capt. D. Salvador Vallejo. 
having formed and published to the world no 
regular plan of governi^ent, feel it our duty to 
say it is not our intention to take or injure any 
person who is not found in opposition to the 
cause, nor will we take or destroy the property 
of private indi\;iduals further than is necessary 
for our support. Ezekiel Merritt, 

R. Semple, 
William Fallox, 
Samiel Kelsay." 

Mr. Bancroft, continuing says: "It was 
natui-ally to be expected, under the circum- 
stances, that the arrested officers would be re- 
leased on parole. Such was evidently the view 
taken on both sides at first. Ford says there 
were some who favored such a course. Leese. 
who had the best opportunities for understand- 
ing the matter, and who gives a more detailed 
account than any other writer, tells us that 
such a decision was reached; and finally, the 
documents which I iiave presented, Nos. 1 and 
2, being to all intents and purposes regular pa- 
role papers, leave no doubt u])on the subject. 
But ut)W difficulties arose, resjtectiiig some 



HISTORY OF .SONOMA COUNTY. 



phase of which there is contradictory testi- 
inony. 

"Thus far only a few of tlie insurgent leaders 
had entered, or at least remained in the house; 
and the negotiations liad in reality been con- 
ducted bj Semple and Leese very much in their 
own way. Ide testifies that Merritt, Semple 
and Wm. Knight, the latter accompanying the 
expedition merely as an interpreter, were the 
first to eTiter the house, while the rest waited 
outside; that presently hearing nothing, they 
became impatient, determined to choose a cap- 
tain, ami elected John (Trigsl)y, who thereupon 
went in; and after waiting what appeared an 
age, the men again lost patience and called upon 
the writer, Ide, to go and investigate the causes 
of delav. Now the discrepancies in testimony 
begin. Ide describes the slate of things which 
met his view as follows: 'The General's gen- 
erous spirits gave proof of his usual hospitality, 
as the richest wines and brandies sparkled in 
the glasses, and those who had thus uncere- 
moniously met soon became merry companions; 
more especially the merry visitors. There sat 
Dr. S., just modifying a long string of articles 
of capitulation. There sat ]V[erritt, his head 
fallen; there sat Knight, no longer able to in- 
terpret; and there sat the new-made captain, as 
mute as the seat he sat upon. The bottles had 
well-nigh vantpiished the captors!' Leese also 
states that the brandy was a potent factor in 
that morning's event; but aeconling to his ver- 
sion, it was on the company outside that its in- 
lluence was e.xerted, rendering them noisy and 
unmanageable, though an effort had been made 
by his advice to put the liquor out of reach. I 
do not, however, deem it at all likely that the 
leaders drank more than it was customary to 
drink in a Californian's parlor, or more than 
tliey could carry; but that some of the rough 
characters in the company became into.xicated 
we may well believe. 

"At any rate, disagreement ensued, the men 
refused entirely to ratify the capitulation made 
by their former leaders, insisting that the pris- 
oners must be sent to the Sacramento; some of 



them were inclined to be insubordinate and 
eager for plunder; while the lawless spirits were 
restrained from committing outrages by the 
eloquence of Semple and the voice of the ma- 
jority; yet the leaders could not agree. Cap- 
tain Grigsby declined to retain the leadership 
that had been conferred upon him. So William 
B. Ide was chosen in his stead, and the revolu- 
tionists immediately took possession of all pub- 
lic property, as well as of such horses and other 
private property as they needed, at the same 
time locking up all citizens that could be found. 
It would seem that the second of the documents 
I have presented was torn, and the third drawn 
up and signed at an early stage of the disagree- 
ments, after it became apparent that it might be 
best to send the prisoners to the Sacramento, 
the signatures showing that it could not have 
been later. Vallejo, though not encouraged at 
seeing that the leaders were not j)ermitted by 
their followers to keep their promises, was not 
very much displeased at being sent to New 
Helvetia. He was assured that the insurgents 
were acting by Fremont's orders; his own views 
were known to be favorable to the schemes of 
the United States; and he had no reason to 
doubt that on meeting Fremont he and his 
companions would at once be released on parole. 
"Before the departure of the prisoners and 
their escort a formal meeting of the revolution- 
ists was held. That Semple, secretary, made a 
speech counselling united action and modera- 
tion in the treatment of the natives, and that 
William B. Ide was chosen captain, is all that 
is known of this meeting, except what we may 
learn from Ide' snarrative. The leaders differed 
in their ideas, not only respecting the dispo- 
sition to be made of the prisoners, but about 
the chief object of the movement. Evidently 
there had been no definitely arranged plan of 
operations. Fremont bad succeeded in bring- 
ing about a state of open hostility without 
committing himself. Some of the men re- 
garded their movement as merely intended to 
provoke Castro to inake an attack on Fremont; 
or at least they dreaded the responsibility of 



IIIHTORY OF SONOMA CdUNfy. 



engaging in a regular revDJution, especially 
when it was learned that no one con Id produce 
any definite pi-omise from Fremont in black and 
wl'.ite to support such a movement. Others 
were in favor of an immediate declaration of 
independence. That such differences of opinion 
did exist as Ide states, is in itself by no means 
improbable; and it is confirmed to some extent 
by the fact that Grigsby did resign his leader- 
ship, and by the somewhat strange circumstance 
that three such prominent men as Grigsby, 
]\Ierritt and Semple should have left Sonoma to 
accompany the prisoners. Ide writes that when 
Grigsby heard that no positive orders from 
Fremont could be produced, liis fears of doing 
wrong overcame his patriotism, and he inter- 
rupted the speaker by saying: ' (Tcntlemen, I 
have been deceived; I cannot go with you; I 
resign and back out of the scrape. I can take 
my family to the mountains as cheap as any of 
you' — and Dr. S. at that moment led liim into 
the house. Disorder and confusion prevailed. 
One swore he would not stay and guard the 
prisoners; another swore we would all have our 
throats cut; another called for fresh horses; and 
all were on the move, every man for himself, 
when the speaker [Ide] resumed liis efforts, 
raising his voice louder and more loud, as tlie 
men receded from the place, saying: ' We need 
no horses; saddle no horse for me; I can go to 
the Spaniards and make freemen of them. I will 
lay my bones here before I will take upon my- 
self the ignominy of commencing an honorable 
work and tlien flee like cowards, like thieves, 
when no enemy is in sight. In vain will you 
say yon had honorable motives. Who will be- 
lieve if? Flee this day, and the longest life 
cannot wear out your disgrace! Choose ye this 
day what you will be! We are robbers or we 
must becon<[uerors! ' and the speaker in despair 
turned his back on liis receding conqianions. 
With new hope they rallied around the despond- 
ing speaker, made him their commander, their 
cliief; and his next words commanded the 
taking of the fort." Subsequently " the three 
leaders of the party of the pi'imitive plan of 



' neutral eonrpiest ' left us alone in our glory." 
I find no reason to doubt that this version, 
though somewhat highly colored, is in sub- 
stance accurate; that Merritt, having captured 
horses and prisoners, was content to rest on his 
laurels; that Grigsby was timid about assuming 
the responsibility of declaring independence 
without a positive assurance of Fremont's co- 
operation; that Semple, while in favor of inde- 
pen lence, preferred that Sacramento should be 
the center of operations, uidess — what Vallejo 
and Leese also favored — Fremont could be in- 
duced to establish his headquarters at Sonoma; 
or finally, that Ide and his associate influenced 
the majority to complete their revolutionary 
work and take no backward steps. I think, how- 
ever, that Ide and all the rest counted con- 
fidently on Fremont's support; and that Semple 
and Grigsby were by no means regarded as 
abandoning the cause when they left Sonoma. 

"It was about 11 a. m., on June 14th, when 
the three prisoners, accompanied by Leese us 
interpreter at their request and that of the 
captors — not himself a prisoner as has been 
generally stated — and guarded by Grigsby, 
Semple, Merritt, Ilargrave, Knight and four of 
five others, started on horses from Yallejo's 
herds for the Sacramento. It will be most 
convenient to follow them before proceeding to 
narrate later developments at Sonoma. Before 
starting, and on the way, Vallejo was often 
questioned by ('alifornians as to the situation of 
afiairs; but could only counsel them to i-emain 
quiet, announcing that he would probably 
return within four or live days. His idea was 
that Fremont, after releasing hiin and his 
companions on parole, might be induced to 
establish his headquarters at Sonoma, an idea 
shared by Semple, Grigsby and Leese. Relations 
between captives and captors were altogether 
friendly, except in the case of some hostile 
feeling among a few individuals against Don 
Salvador. 

" They encamjied that night at Yaca's rancho. 
No special pains wei-e taken to guanl the prison- 
ers, who, with Leese, slept on a |)ilf of >li:iw 



UIsroRY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



near tlie camp. Yallejo had desired to travel 
all night; luit the men declined to do so, having 
had no sleep the night before. Before dawn on 
the morning of the loth, a Californian succeeded 
in reaching the cai)tives, and informed Yallejo 
tha't a company of his countrymen had been 
organized to effect his rescue, and only awaited 
his orders. The Colonel refused to permit such 
an attempt to be made, both because he had no 
reason to fear any unpleasant results from his 
enforced visit to the Sacramento, and because 
he feared retaliation at Sonoma in case an 
attempt to escape should bring harm to any of 
the guards. On the 15th the party reached 
Hardy's place on the Sacramento. Here Merritt 
left the others, intending to visit Fremont's camp 
and return next morning, but as he did not 
come back Leese, with one companion, started 
in the forenoon of the Itith, also in quest of 
Fremont. Arriving at Allgeier's place, they 
Ioarne<l that the Captain had moved his camp 



to the American River; and starting for that 
point, they rejoined their companions before 
arrival. Here Grigsby presented an order from 
Fremont for Leese's arrest, for which, so far as 
known, no explanation was given. 

" Late in the afternoon they reached the 
camp, and the prisoners were brought into the 
presence of Fremont. That officer's reception 
of them was very different from what had been 
anticipated. His words and manner were re- 
served and mysterious. He denied when 
Yallejo demanded for what offenses and by 
what authority he had caused their arrest, that 
he was in any way responsible for what had 
been done; declared tiiat thej' were prisoners of 
the people, who had been driven to revolt for 
self-protection; refused to accept their paroles, 
and sent them that same night, under a guard 
composed in part if not wholly of his own 
men — Kit Carson and Merritt being sent in ad- 
vance — to be locked up at Sutter's Furt." 



HISTORY OF SONOMA C0VNT7. 





^' THE BEAB FLAG STABUl STRIPES. ^, 

■ ■ 1 1 ■ ■ H K» aA^H IX l\ II H 



CTIAPTEK VII. 



ThK PRISONKES OCT iiF TIIK WAY, THE REVOLrTIONIt^TS CAME DOWN TO THE SERIOUS fONC'ERNS OF 
FOrNDINO A NKW (ioVERNMENT THEY ADOPT THE BeAR Fi.AG H(i\V IT WAS MADE AND TiY 

'\vii(i>[ — tiii:y have nine cannons and two m'NDREn muskets — Captain Ide issues a proc- 

I.AJtATInN LlinrENANT MisSRdOX FROM THE AMERICAN MAN OF WAR, PORTSMOUTH, ARRI\ES 

AND (JETS ASSURANCE FUnM THE KKVor.UTIONISTS THAT TIIKY Wir.l. IHO I '( iNSTDEKATE OE THE 

RIGHTS UF THE FORMER CITIZKNS (iF SoNoMA THE Kir,I.IN(; OF CowIE AND FoWLEE AT SaNTA 

IJos.v THi: P.ATTI.E iiF Ol.oMI'AIJ CaSTRO SENDS TROOPS ACROSS THE BAY A SWIFT MESSEN- 
GER SENT TO Fremont -- Fremont hastens to Sonoma with ninety men — goes to San 

IvAFAICr. RETURNS TO SoNOMA AND CELEIJEATES THE FoURTH OF Jui.V THERE — ON THE 5th 

the California Battalion organize with Fremont and Gieee;spie as officers — Fremon-i- 

STARTS ON THE 6tH TO HEAD THE BAY AND GO SOUTH AFTER CasTRO — NEWS HAVING REACHED 

Captain- MoNT(ioMEi:Y, of the Portsmouth, that war existed p-etween the United 
States and Mexico, he, on the morning of the 9tii of Jui.y dispatched Lieutenant 
liEVEKE TO Sonoma with an American flag, and at noon of that day the bear flag 

CAME down and the stars and stripes went IP. 



.g^^ENEPwAL VALLEJO certainly had a riglit 
'livTP to lie sHvprisid at tlie foregoing treatment 
W^ I'V Fremont. Tiiat lie appreciated the 
real condition of affairs is made very plain by 
the following correspondence, a carefnl perusal 
of which will show that General Vallejo, when 
taken prisoner at Sonoma, felt warranted in 
looking to United States anthoritics for protec- 
tion. From John B. Montgomery, command- 
ing United States ship Portsmouth, he certainly 
received more of consideration and cheer than 
from (xeneral Fremont, and yet in both instances 
the action of the l>ear Flag party seems to have 
been repudiated and ignored entirely. Viewed 
from tills stniidnoint it is not a matter of 



wonder that Cajitain Grigsby and others of the 
Bear Flag party may have felt a tickling sensa- 
tion aronnd the neck when they ascertained 
that their taking of Sonoma was not backed by 
any positive anthority from Fremont or any 
body else clothed with United States authority. 
The rank and file of the Bear Flag party evi- 
dently acted npon the principle that a "wink 
was as good as a nod of assent;" and taking their 
lives in their hands they struck the blow, and 
took the chances. Like John Adams who, after 
affixing his name to the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, remarked, "well, if we hang, we ail 
hang together," they captured Sonoma, and left 
to tilt' fntiirt' what the outcome of the venturi' 



HISTORY Olf SONOMA COUNTY. 



should be. Tlio t'ollowinc; is tlie eorrespinulenee 
refeiTcd to: 

'• HISTiiUR'AL CoKRKSl'DNUKXCK. 

'• (ieneral Vallejo's niessaye to Captain Mont- 
gomery, the daxj of the capture of Sonoma 
— Montijom.ery's reply — Lieutenant Miss- 
roon's account of the revolutionists — Highly 
creditahle conduct of the Bears — ■ Ide\i 
pledge to Missioon. 

" United States Ship Pokts.mihtii. 
"San Franiisco, Au^^ust 17, 1847. 
" My Deae General: — I am now about to sail 
for Monterey, and avail myself of tliis mode of 
expressing to you my regret that I shall thus 
most probably be deprived of seeing you on 
your contemplated visit to Yerba Buena to- 
morrow, having anticipated much pleasure from 
this event; Init you well know how little we 
servants of the public are left to the disposition 
of our own time. 

'* I reached the Portsmouth from Sonoma very 
coinfortably on Friday last about ti o'clock in 
the afternoon, greatly pleased with my visit, 
and gratified by the very kind and hospitable 
attentions of my esteemed friends there, the i-e- 
membrance of which I shall long continue to 
cherish. 

" In compliance with your e.xpressed wisiies 
while I was at Sonoma, I herewith inclose you, 
my dear General, copies of tiie document for- 
warded to yon by De la Rosa in tlie commence- 
ment of the late revolution, and those liaving 
reference to Lieutenant Missroon's visit to 
Sonoma b\- my ordei's, with overtures to the in- 
surgent chief in behalf of prisoners and the 
helpless inhabitants of that place, which you are 
at liberty to use as you shall think proper. 

'' From Monterey it is most probable 1 shall 
make a cruise to the southward, and am not 
without hopes of soon returning with the pleas- 
ing intelligence of peace between the United 
States and Mexico, which I feel assured will be 
most welcome tidings for you and all who are 
interested in the prosperity of California. 

'' Be pleased to present my most respectful re- 



gards to Madam Vallejo and all the members 
of your interesting family, and express to them 
my sen.se uf their kind hospitality and attention 
to me and my little son during our recent visit; 
and believe me, my dear General. 1 am and 
shall ever be, with highest esteem and friend- 
ship, sincerely your obedient servant, 

" John B. MoNT(io.MEKy. 
"Gen. Guadalupe Vallejo, Sonoma." 

Statement of the interview hetween Senor Don 
Jose de la Rosa and Vommander John B. 
Montgomery, commanding United States 
ship Portsmouth, Lieutenant W. A. Bart- 
lett, United States Navy, interpreter. By 
order of the commander, John B. Mont- 
gomery. 

" Don Jose de la Rosa, on coming on board 
the ship, desired to inform Captain Montgomery 
that he brought information from Don Guada- 
lupe Vallejo, military commandante of Sonoma, 
which he desired to give the moment Captain 
Montgomery could receive him. 

" On being received by Captain jMontgomery I 
was directed to act as interpreter, when Senor 
de la Rosa proceeded to deliver his message, 
which 1 wrote, as follows: 

" Don Guadalupe Vallejo desires to inform 
Captain ]\[ontgomery of the proceedings which 
took place at Sonoma yesterday morning, at 5 
o'clock. There arrived at Sonoma a party of 
about eighty men, as they said, from the Sacra- 
mento. They at once took forcible jiossession 
of the place, and posted themselves on the 
" Cuartel." They then made prisoners of Gen- 
eral Vallejo, Captain Don Salvador Vallejo, and 
Lieutenant-Colonel Don Victor Prndhon, all of 
whom are officers of the Mexican army. 

" Then a Mr. Merritt, who appeared to liave 
command (U- exercise the authority with the 
party, handed the General a convention demand- 
ing of iiim the surrender of all the arms and 
government property in Sonoma, which place 
they should not leave. 

" The General replied that he must surrender 
to the force in arms, and did so surrender, when 



niaroRT of sonoma county. 



tiie party demanded fiirtlier that all the above- 
named ofticers slionld go with them to their 
eanip on the Sacramento liiver. 

" General Vallejo tiien re(|uested them to 
show their authority or determination (ct/iajo qtie 
jddiioy, and as they said they were Americans, 
lie desired tliey should exhibit tlieir authority 
from the Government of tiie United States. 
They replied that they did not come under the 
authority of the United States; but having 
seen a proclamation of Gen. Castro, threatening 
to drive all foreigners out of the country, they 
hail taken up arms in self-defense. 

'• Tiiey then made a prisoner of the Alcalde, 
and told him that if any person in the place or 
neighborhood attempted to notify other places 
of this act, or raise a force to oppose tliem, they 
would at once shoot the otKcers they tlien held 
prisoners. The Alcalde was then set at liberty, 
l)ut told that if he did not prevent any opposi- 
tion to them he would also be shot. 

" General Vallejo desires to inform CJaptain 
Montgomery of these facts, and to ask him to 
use his authority or exert his intiuence to pre- 
vent the commission of acts of violence by this 
party, inasmuch as they seemed to be without 
any effectual head or authority. To this end he 
hoped for an officer to be sent to the place, or a 
letter that would have the effect of saving 
the helpless inhabitants from violence and 
anarchy. 

'• Senor Don Jose de la Rosa was directed by 
(Teneral Vallejo (at 11 a. m. yesterday) to come 
with this message, but could not leave until 3 
1'. M. A few moments jjast 11 the party left a 
garrison of twenty-five men at Sonoma pro- 
tected by seven pieces of cannon. The others, 
with the prisoners, left for the SacraiTUMito." 

Iitij/lt/ of VomvKmder MonfyoiiKiij to tin' mcs- 
■sriye of General Vdllejo. 

" Sik: — You will say to General Vallejo, on 
my part, that I at once and entirely disavo■\^ this 
movement as having proceeded under any 
authority of the United States, or myself as 
the agent ot my Government in this country. 



or on this coast. It is a movement entirely 
local, and with which I have nothing to do; nor 
can I in any way be induced to take part in the 
controversy whicli belongs entirely to the inter- 
nal politics of California. 

"If they are Americans, as they avow them- 
selves, they are l)eyond the jurisdiction of the 
laws and officers of the United States, and must 
now take all the responsibilities of the position 
in which they have placed themselves, being 
answerable to the laws of Mexico and Califor- 
nia. 

" I have now for the first time heanl of this 
movement, and in making the most positive 
disavowal, for myself and for my Government, 
having in any wise instigated or aided this. I 
also disavow the same on the part of Captain 
Fremont, United States topographical engineer, 
now in the country for scientific purposes. 

" If my individual efforts can be at any time 
exercised to allay violence or prevent injury to 
innocent persons, it shall be exerted; but as an 
officer of the Government of the United States 
I cannot have anything to do with either party. 
They must take the responsibilities of their own 
acts. From what has already transpired I think 
it clear that no violence will be committed on 
any one who is not found with arms in their 
hands. You will assure General Don Guada- 
lupe Vallejo of my sympathy in his difficulties; 
but I cannot positively interfere in the hical 
politics of California." 

Senor de la Rosa then thanked Captain AFont- 
gomery for his sentiments and sympatii}'; stateil 
that all was distinctly undei'sfood and translated, 
and that he Would place his statement in the 
hands of Don Guadalupe Vallejo at tiie earliest 
moment. 

" I hereby certifythat the ])receding statement 
is a fair translation (^i' the message and rej)ly 
read to Captain Montgomery and Senor de la 
Rosa. 

" (Signed) W. A. Ii.vkti.ktt, 

" l>ieutenant United States Navy, 

" United States ship I'ni'txiiioiitlt, Saucelito, 
June 15, 18-1(;." 



m 



nrsTonr of soNo^fA rorxrr 



[copy of OKDEK to r.IKlTENANT MISSl{(iOX.] 

" T^NiTKD States Sill I' Poktsnioitii, 

"San Francisco, June 15, 1S4G. 

" Stir. — IJy an especial messenger sent to me 
by Don (4nailalnpe Yallejo. I am notified of the 
forcible occupation of tlie town of Sonoma by 
a party of insurgents (foreign residents) of the 
country, among wliom are said to be some per- 
sons from tlie United States, and that General 
Don Guadalupe Yallejo, with several other 
Mexican officers, have been sent prisoners to the 
Sacramento and threatened to be detained as 
hostages for the quiet submission of the sur- 
rounding country, leaving their families and 
other inoft'ensive persons in and about Sonoma 
in a painful state of agitation through apjire- 
hcnsions of violence and cruel treatment from 
the insurgent party in charge of the town. In 
consequence of this state of things. General 
Yallejo has appealed to me, requesting the in- 
terposition of any authority or influence I may 
possess over the insurgents to prevent the perpe- 
tration of acts of violence on their part upon 
the defenseless people. 

"1 have, in ray reply to (General Yallejo (by the 
messenger), stated my previous ignorance of 
the popular movement in question; distinctly 
and emphatically disavowed all agency of the 
United States Government or myself as her 
representative in producing it, and disclaimed 
all right or authority to interfere between the 
opposing parties or in any M'ay to identify my 
movements with theirs. But, in compliance 
with the urgent calls of humanity, I deem it 
m}- duty to use my friendl}' endeavors with the 
dominant party to secure (by the power of God) 
for the defenseless people of Sonoma that 
security of life, jiroperty and privilege to which 
all are entitled. 

" In pursuance of these views, sir, you are di- 
rected to ])roceed in one of the sliip's boats to 
Sonoma, and, on your arrival there, you will 
wait on the officer or person commanding the 
party having possession of the town; and as it 
is possible he is not fully aware of the extent 



and nature of the feelings produced in the 
iTiinds of the population by this recent move- 
ment you will inform him of the state of appre- 
hension and terror into which it seems to have 
thrown them, and disclaiming all right or pur- 
pose on my part of interference between them 
and their actual opposers; and without touching 
upon the merits of their cause further than may 
not be avoided in course of conversation, be 
pleased (in such terms as your own sense, of 
propriety will dictate) respectfully to request 
from me, that he will extend his protecting care 
over the defenseless families of their prisoners 
and other inoffensive persons of Sonoma, and 
exert his infiuence with others in order to secure 
to them the uninterrupted enjoyment of their 
domestic and social privileges. 

"You will afterward wait on the Alcalde, or 
presiding civil officer of Sonoma, and inform 
him of what has been done (at the instance of 
Don Guadalupe Yallejo), communicating any 
satisfactory assurances which you may have re- 
ceived from the insurgent chief calculated to 
allay the general apprehension; after wliicli, 
when sufficiently I'ecruited, you will return to 
this ship and render to me a written report. 
"Respectfully, I am, sir, yourobedient servant 
" (Signed), John B. "Monti jomkkv, 

" Commander. 

" To Lieutenant John S. Missroon, Executive 
Officer United States ship Portsiaouthy 

Al'l'ENDAGE To MR. MISSROOn's OlIDKK. 

" Dear Sir: — As an appendage to the orders 
handed you last evening, I wish you to endeavor 
in as forcible a manner as possible, to represent 
to the person or persons of the insurgent jiarty 
with whom you may confer at Sonoma and to 
impress their minds with a sense of the advan- 
tages wliich will accrue to their cause (whatever 
its intrinsic merits may be) from pursuing a 
course of kind and benevolent treatment of 
prisoners, as well as toward the defenseless in- 
habitants of the country generally, with whom 
they may have to do, and endeavor, as far as 
propriety will permit, to obtain a promise of 



Hr STORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



kind and luiiiiane treatment toward General 

Vallejo and his conipaniuns in their possession 

as prisoners. 

" I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant 
" (Signed) John B. Mo.ntgomerv, 

>' Commander. 
" To Lieutenant John S. Missroon, United 

States ship Portsnujath. "' 

Report of Lieutewnit JIi>i»rooii on /lia return 
from Sonoiio', ir/t/i accoiiijiaui/hnj docu- 
ment " B." 

'• Unitkd Statks Snii' PuKTsMnrrn, 
" Sa.n Francisi(j, June 17, 1846. 

Sir: — In pursuance of your order of the 16th 
instant, to proceed to Sonoma and endeavor by 
all proper means in my power to secure to the 
females and unoffending portion of tiie popula- 
tion of that district some degree of security for 
their persons and property during the occupancy 
of the place by certain insurgents, chiefly 
foreigners, I have the honor to report, in ol)edi- 
ence to that order, that I left the ship on the 
day of receiving your instructions, and reached 
the town about sunset, where I found about 
twenty-iive men under arms, and having six or 
seven pieces of artillery with several hundred 
stand of arms. The whole party is only thirty- 
five. 

"I waited upon the commanding officer, Wm. 
I>. Ide, and received from him both verbal and 
written assurances of his intention to maintain 
order and to respect both the jiei'soiis and prop- 
erty of all persorrs residing within the limits of 
his command. He also handed nie a copy of a 
proclamation which he had issued on the day 
after his occupation of the town, and which I 
herewith present to you, marked " A," in which 
you will observe that these promises of pi'otec- 
tion are set forth in explicit terms, and which 1 
would remark to you, seemed to me to have fully 
assured the inhabitants of their safety, although 
Sonoma is evidently under martial law. 

" By tiiis proclamation you will also observe 
that California is declared to be an independent 
republic. The insurgent party has hoisted a 



ffuff with a white field, with a liorder or stripe 
of red on its lower ])art, and having a star and 
bear upon it. 

" I informed the commanding otticer of the 
state of terror into which his movement uiicm 
Sonoma had thrown the inhabitants in and 
about the Verba IJuena, as directed by my 
instructions. 

" I then waited upon the Alcalde of the place, 
informed him throiigh my interpreter that my 
visit was entirely of a peaceful character, and 
that it had been induced liy the message which 
my commander had received from the late 
Mexican commander. General Vallejo, now a 
prisoner in the hands of the insurgents, asking 
his (my commander's) interference for the pro- 
tection of females and unoffending inhabitants; 
that assurances of respect and protection were 
freely given me by the commanding officer of 
the party under arms, and that I explicity made 
it known to him, for the information of the sur- 
rounding country, that my commander dis- 
claimed any and all interference in the matter 
other than what was dictated by motives of 
humanity. 

" After these interviews I then called upon the 
family of General Vallejo and moderated their 
distress, by the assurance of safety for the Gen- 
eral, whicli I had received, and informing tlain 
that the prisoners were held as hostages. 

" Having completed the object for which I 
went to Sonoma, I left the place yesterday with 
the thanks of both parties, about meridian, and 
reached the ship about sunset. Before taking 
my departure I deemed it best to reassure the 
Alcalde, in order to prevent any necessity for 
future explanation, which is so apt to grow out 
of a business transacted with Mexicans, especi- 
ally through an interpreter. I therefore ad- 
dressed the letter marked " B,'' appending to it 
the written pledge, or a copy of the pledge, 
which I had obtained from the commander of 
tiie foreigners in possession of the place, and 
whicii I herewith hand you a co]>y of 

"It only remains, sir, for me to add that, so 
far as I could judge and observe, the utmost 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



hrti-inoiiy and guud order prevail in tlie camp, 
and tliat 1 liavo every reason to believe that the 
pledges of kind treatment toward all wlio may 
fall into their hands will be faithfully obseri-ed. 

>' Respectfully, sir, your obedient servant, 

"(Signed). d. S. Misskoon, 

'> First Lieutenant United States ship Portn- 
nnnith. 

"To Conmiander J no. J!, ^iontgoniery. com- 
manding United States ship 7'"/'i.s//<'>Mi'/', JSayof 
San Francisco."' 

Document " ij," arcumpiunjinij the fdrcijiiiinj 
report. 

" SiiN<iMA, June 17, 1846. 

"Sik: — As you were informed yesterday, 
through my interpreter, my visit to this place 
is of a strictly inediatorial character, and was 
induced by the application of General Vallejo 
through his messenger, Senor Kosa, to Captain 
Montgomery, requesting of him to ' adopt 
measures for tlie protection of the females and 
peaceable inhabitants of Sonoma. 

" I have the pleasure to assure you of the 
intention of the foreigners now in arms and 
occupying Sonoma, to respect the persons of all 
individuals and their property, who do not talve 
up arms against them, and I leave with you a 
copy of the pledge which the commander of the 
])arty has voluntarily given to me, with a view 
to the pacification of all alarm. 

>■ KespectfuUy, your obedient servant. 

"(Signed). J. S. Misskoon, 

" Jjieutenant United States Navy." 

"to the alcalde of so.nhma. 

" I pledge myself that I will use my utmost 
exertion to restrain and prevent the men in 
arms under my command, all iif whom present 
acknowledge my authority and approve the 
measure of forbearance and humanity, from jier- 
petrating any violence, or in any manner molest- 
ing the peaceable inhalntants, in pei-son or prop- 
erty, of California, while we continue in arms 
for the liberty of California. 

" (Signed), Wm. B. Iue, 

" Commander. 



" AVitness to the above signature, 

"(Signed), J. S. Misskoon, 

" Lieuteiumt United States Navy, and Execu- 
tive Otiicer of the United States ship l'ortt<- 
iiienith. 

"So.NOMA, June 17, 184G." 

The revolutionists were now master id' the 
situation, having control of nine cannons anil 
about two hundred muskets. "While AVMIliam 
B. Ide, then the leader of the ISear Flag party, 
may have been a man of some eccentricity of 
character, he seems to have been a man of con- 
siderable culture, and there is little room for 
doubt that he shaped and controlled, to a large 
degree, the conduct of those under him. It was 
no sinecure position, this of Commander Ide. 
It is true, the prisoners sent to Sacramento were 
taken charge of by General Fremont, under the 
saving clause that he had nothing to do with 
their arrest — and it is also true that Commander 
Montgomery of the Purtsinoiith in an unofficial 
way, and in obedience to the dictates of human- 
ity, sent Lieutenant Missroon to SononiH. to 
counsel moderation and kindness on the part of 
the revolutionists toward the vanquished; but 
in neither case was there ought said or done 
that could be construed into leaving the door 
ajar for a safe retreat of the Bear Flag pai ty 
out of their difficulty should their i-ebellion 
prove abortive. To stand their ground and 
successfully maintain their position under such 
adverse circumstances re(juired not only nerve 
but real heroism. 

That they knew that they were acting outside 
of the pale of any responsible authority is ap- 
parent from the fact that one of the very first 
matters to claim their consideration was the 
adoption of a flag. There is little question tJiat 
the bear flag was made on the day of the taking 
of Sonoma, although it is quite possible it was 
not completed so as to be hoisted until the 
morning of the 15tli of June. As there has 
been much controversy as to how and by whom 
that flag was made, we give place to the follow- 
ing which we believe to be authentic: 

AVm. L. Todd in a letter to the editor of the 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COCNTY. 



Los Angeles E,vprci<s, under date of January 
11, 1878, gives the following version of the 
construction of the bear Hag: 

"Your letter of the 'Jtii inst. came duly to 
hand, and in answer I have to say in regard to 
the nialcing of the original hear flag of Califor- 
nia at Sonoma, in 184B, that when the Ameri- 
cans, who had taken up arms against the Span- 
ish regime, had determined what kind of a flag' 
should be adopted, the following persons per- 
formed the work: Granville P. Swift, Peter 
Storm, Henry L. Ford and myself; we procured 
in the house where we made our headquarters, a 
piece of new unbleached cotton domestic, not 
quite ayard wide, with stripesof red flannel about 
four inches wide, furnished by Mrs. John Sears, 
on the lower side of the canvas. On the xipper left 
hand corner was a star, and in the center was the 
image made to represent a grizzly he&r passant, so 
common inthiscountryatthe time. The bear and 
star "were painted with paint made of linseed oil 
and Venetian red or Spanish brown. Underneath 
the bear were the words 'California Kepublic' 
The other person engaged with me got the ma- 
terials together, while I acted as artist. The forms 
the bear and star and the letters were flrst lined of 
out with pen and ink by myself, and the two 
forms were filled in with the red paint, but the 
letters with ink. The flag mentioned by Mr. 
Hittell with the bear rampant, was made, as I 
always understood, at Santa Barbara, and was 
painted black. Allow me to say, that at that 
time there was not a wheelwright shop in Cali- 
fornia. The flag I painted I saw in the rooms 
of the California Pioneers in San Francisco, in 
1870, and the secretary will show it to any per- 
son who will call on him at any time. If it is the 
one that I painted, it will be known by a mistake 
in tinting out the words 'California Republic' 
The letters were flrst lined out with a pen, and 
I left out the letter ' 1,' and lined out the letter 
'C' in its place. lint afterward I lined out 
the letter ' I " over the ' (^ ' so that the last syl- 
lable of ' Republic " looks as if the tw-o last let- 
ters were blemled. Yours Respectfully, 

" AVji. L. Todd. "■ 



On the occasion of the Centennial e.vercises, 
held at Santa llosa on the 4th of July, 187(5, 
General M. G. Vallejo made the following 
statement in reference to the capture of Sono- 
ma in 1846 by tlie Americans : 

" I have now to say something of the epoch 
which inaugurated a new era for this county. 
A little before dawn on June 14, 1846, a party 
of hunters and trappers, with some foreign set- 
tlers, under command of C-aptain Merritt, 
Doctor Semple and AVilliam B. Ide, surrounded 
my residence at Sonoma, and without flring a 
shot, made a prisoner of myself, then com- 
mander of the northern frontier; of Lieutenant- 
Colonel Victor Prudon, Captain Salvador A^al- 
lejo, and Jacob P. Leese. I should here state 
that down to October, 1845, I had maintained 
at my own expense a respectable garrison at 
Sonoma, which often, in union with the settlers, 
did good service in campaign against the In- 
dians; but at last, tired of spending money 
which the Mexican Government never refunded, 
I disbanded the force, and most ot the soldiers 
who had constituted it left Sonoma. Thus in 
June, 1846, the Plaza was entirely unprotected, 
although there were ten war pieces of artillery, 
with other arms and munitions of war. The 
parties wdio unfurled the bear flag were well 
aware that Sonoma was without defense, and 
lost no time in taking ad vantage of this fact, and 
carrying out their plans. Years before I had 
urgently represented to the government of 
Mexico the necessity of stationing a sufiicient 
force on the frontier, else Sonoma would be 
lost, which would be equivalent to leaving the 
rest ot the country an easy prey to the invader. 
AVhat think you, my friends, were the instruc- 
tions sent me in reply to my repeated demands 
for means to fortify the country ? These in- 
structions were that I should at once force the 
immigrants to recross the Sierra Nevada, and 
depart from the territory of the Ilepublic. 
To say nothing of the inhumanity of these 
orders, their execution was physically iujpossi- 
ble — first, because the iirimigrants came in 
autumn wheu snow covered the Sierra so quickly 



HISTORY OP iSONOMA COUNTY. 



as tu make a ntm-ii iiiijiractieable. Under the 
circiiiiiotitnces, nut only 1, but Cominandaiite 
General Castro, resolved to provide tlie iinnii- 
grauts with letters of security, that they might 
remain temporarily in the country. We 
always made a show of authority, i)ut well 
convinced all the time that we had had no 
power to resist the invasion, which was coming 
upon lis. "With the frankness of a soldier I can 
assure you that the American immigrants never 
had cause to complain of the treatment they 
received at the hands of either authorities or 
citizens. They carried us as prisoners to Sacra- 
mento, and kept us in a calaboose for sixty 
days < r more, until the United States made 
itself respected, and the honorable and hu- 
mane Commudore Stockton returned us to our 
hearths." 

•' On the seizure of their prisoners the revo- 
lutionists at once took steps to appoint a captain 
who was found in the person of John Grigsby, 
for Ezef<iel ilerritt wished not to retain the 
permanent command; a meeting was then called 
at the l)arracks, situated at the northeast corner 
of the Plaza, nnder the presidency of William 
15. Ide, Dr. Robert Semple being secretary. At 
this conference Semple urged tlie independence 
of the country, stating that having once com- 
menced they must i)roceed, for to turn back was 
certain death. Before the dissolution of the 
convention, however, rumors were rife that 
secret emissaries were being dispatched to the 
Mexican rancheros, to inform them of the 
recent occurrences, therefore to prevent any 
attempt at a rescue it was deemed best to trans- 
fer their prisoners to Sutter's. Fort, where the 
danger of such would be less.'' 

In order that the conijuest of California 
should be accomplished in a decent and orderly 
way and the record thereof be properly handed 
down to future generations, Captain William B. 
kle formulated the following declaration of 
purposes which was duly published to the world 
on the 18th of June: 

'' A proclamation to all persons and citizens 
of the district of Sonoma rec^uestiug them to 



remain at peace and follow their rightful 
occupations without fear of molestation. 

"The commander-in-chief of the troops as- 
sembled at the fortress of Sonoma gives his 
inviolable pledge to all persons in California, 
not found under arms, that they shall not be 
disturbed in their persons, their ]iroperty, or 
social relation, one with another, liy men under 
his co7ninand. 

"He also solemnly declares his object to be: 
First, to defend himself and conipanionsin arms, 
who were invited to this country by a promise 
of lands on which to settle themselves and 
families; who were also promised a Republican 
Government; when, having arrived in Califor- 
nia, they were denied the privilege of buying or 
renting lands of their friends, who instead of 
being allowed to participate in or being pro- 
tected by a Republican government, were op- 
pressed by a military despotism; who were even 
threatened by proclamation by the chief officers 
of the aforesaid despotism with extermination if 
they should not depart t)Ut of the country, leav- 
ing all their |)roperty,arms and beasts of burden; 
and thus de])rived of their means of flight or 
defense, were to be driven through deserts 
inhabited by hostile Indians, to certain destruc- 
tion. 

"To overthrow a government which has 
seized upon the pros[)erity of the mission for its 
individual aggrandizement; which has ruined 
and shamefully oppressed the laboring people 
of California by enormous exactions on goods 
imported into the country, is the determined 
purpose of the brave men who are associated 
under my command. 

•• I also solemnly declare my object, in the 
second place, to be to invite all peaceable and 
good citizens of California who are friendly to 
the maintenance of good order and equal rights, 
and I do hereby invite them to repair to my camp 
at Sonoma without delay to assist us in estab- 
lishing and perpetuating a Republican govern- 
ment, which shall secure to all civil and religious 
liberty; which shall encourage virtue and 
literature; which shall leave unshackled by 



HISTORY OF SONOifA COUNT F. 



fetters agi-icii!tiire, coiuinerce ami mainifact- 
ures. 

" 1 t'urtlier declare that I rely upon the recti- 
tude of our iiitentious, the favur of heaven and 
the bravery of those who are bound and asso- 
ciated with me by principles of- self-preservation, 
by the love of the truth and the hatred of 
tyranny, for my hopes of success. 

•• I furthermore declare thai I believe that a 
government to be prosperous and happy must 
originate with the people who are friendly to its 
existence, that the citizens are its guardians, the 
otfieers its servants, its glory its reward. 

•' William B. Iue."' 

Thus far the revolution had been a bloodless 
one,' but it was not destined to continue so to 
the end. There were two occurrences of thrill- 
ing character that came in (piick succession — 
the killing of Cowie and Fowler and the battle of 
Olompali. As Ilobert A. Thompson, who has 
gathered much of the early history of Sonoma 
Count}', got his information about the battle 
referred to from one of the participants therein 
we here incorporate his graphic account of those 
two events. 

About this time one of the most distressing 
events of the revolution occurred. It was dis- 
covered that the garrison had an insufficient sup- 
ply of powder. It was known that Moses 
Carson, at the Fitch ranch, on Russian River, 
had some on hand. Two men named T. Cowie 
and — Fowler, who had joined the party in 
Napa, volunteered to go and get the powder. 
They imprudently took the main traveled road, 
or returned to it near Santa Rosa, and were 
capture 1 by a scouting party, or, rather, a rov- 
ing band of cut-throats and thieves under the 
lead of Juan Padillo. The two men were 
kept in the Carillio house all night. The next 
morning they were taken up the little valley, 
near the present county farm, were first inliu- 
nianly treated, and then shot. Not satisfied 
with this, their bodies were mutilated in a lior- 
rid manner and were then thrown into a ditch. 
An Indian named Chanatc, who knew the men, 
told Mose Carson of their fate and condition, 



and he came and buried them under a pine 
tree, piling up a few rocks to mark the spot. 

Finding that Cowie and Fowler did not re- 
turn, there was much uneasiness in Sonoma. 
A party was sent up the valley to make inquiry, 
who learned the circumstances of their cruel 
muider and mutilation. Two others of the 
party who were out in search of horses, had 
been taken, and it was feared that thej', too, 
would be killed. 

The Bear Flag men were not of the class to 
suffer any indignity, much less a horrid outrage 
like this. It demanded instant and exemplary 
punishment. Volunteers were called for to go 
in search of the murderers. The whole garri- 
son volunteered. All could not go. Twenty- 
three were selected and put under command of 
Lieutenant W. L. Ford. Among the number was 
Frank Bidwell, to whom the writer is indebted 
for this account of the pursuit. Captain Ford 
and his command came first to Santa Rosa. Pa- 
dillo had fled. From Santa Rosa he went to the 
Roblar de la Miseria, Fadillo's ranch. He was 
there told by some Indians that the marauding 
band had gone, some three hours before, to the 
Laguna de San Antonio. Captain Ford pushed on 
to that point and bivouacked half a mile from the 
supposed headquarters. He charged upon the 
house next morning and found only four men 
there, whom he took prisoners. He left some 
of his men to guard the prisoners and horses 
which he had captured. 

With fourteen men he continued the pursuit. 
After a brief ride of a few miles he came to 
the Olompali ranch, now Dr. Burdell's place, in 
Marin County. He saw a number of horses in 
a corral near the house apparently in charge of a 
vaquero. He dashed up rapidly to prevent the 
man in charge from turning them loose, as he 
proposed to confiscate them. Getting nearer he 
was astonished to see the Californians pouring 
out of the house and hastily mounting their 
already saddled horses. He had run upon the 
combined forces of Captain Joaquin de la Torre 
and the Santa Rosa murderers, numbering all 
told eighty-three men. Both parties had been 



lllSToUY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



surprised. Fortunately there was a willow thick- 
et about sixty yards from the house. Wiiile 
the enemy were getting in motion Captain 
Ford ordered his men to fall back to the brush 
and to dismount, tie their horses, take position 
in the brush, and by no means to fire until 
" sure of a man." There was a mountaineer in 
the party who went by tlie name of "Old Red." 
lie was a dead shot, and was stationed in the 
upper end of the wood. Frank Bid well was 
some distance below him. The Californians, 
made bold by the supposed retreat, formed 
their lines and came up handsomely. Their ad- 
vance was led by a gallant young Sergeant. 
All was still in the willows. The sharp crack 
uf a rifle broke the silence, followed l)y a puff 
of smoke, which burst through the brush. It 
was "Old Red," who could not hold his tire. 
This brought on the tight. Other shots came in 
quick succession. In a very few moments eight 
of the assaulting party lay dead upon the plain, 
two were wounded, and a horse with an ugly 
bullet-hole in his neck was struggling in the 
tield. The young Sergeant was the last to fall, 
whereupon the whole band broke for the cover 
of the hills, receiving as they left a volley at 
long range as a parting salute. Twenty-three 
shots had been fired ; eleven took effect. '• Old 
Red's" excuse for tiring so soon was, that he was 
"sure of a man" anywhere in range. 

As soon as the tight began a woman in the 
house cut Todd's bonds, and he joined his com- 
rades before it was over. Captain Ford rested on 
his arms for some time thinking that the enemy 
would rally and renew the tight, but they made 
no sign. It was enough. He thereupon set 
out on his return to Sonoma with his rescued 
prisoners and his caj)tives. The captured horses 
he drove before him as the spoil of war. Tlie 
murder of Gowie and Fowler was avenged on 
the tield of Olompali. 

On the 20th of June, Castro made his tirst 
move in the direction of trying t(j recover lost 
ground north of the bay. On tiiat date Cap- 
tain Joaquin de la Torre crossed tlie bay with 
about seventy Californians and being joined by 



Padea and Correo, took a position near San 
Rafael. Of these movements F^remont was 
speedily apprised, and now for the tirst time 
gave o])en recognition of the claims of the rev- 
olutionists upon him for active aid. On the 
2.3d of June, Harrison Pierce, a pioneer settler 
of Najja Valley made a forced ride of eighty 
miles to Fremont's camp announcing the pres- 
ence of Castro's troops on the north side of the 
bayand the consequent peril of those who had cap- 
tured Sonoma. He received a promise from Fre- 
mont to come to their aid just as soon as he could 
put ninety men into saddle. Pierce, with this 
cheering news retraced the eighty miles fortnerly 
passed over, with but one change of horse, and 
soon carried the news to the little garrison at 
Sonoma, that I^remont was coming. On the 
evening of the A&y he had received the tidings 
Fremont and his men were on their way toward 
Sonoma. Of the make-up of F^-emont's force, 
one of the party wrote as follows: 

"There were Americans, French, English, 
Swiss, Poles, Russians, Prussians, Chileans, 
Germans; Greeks, Austrians, Pawnees, native 
Indians, etc., all riding side by side and talking 
a polyglot lingual hash never exceeded in di- 
versibility since the confusion of tongues at the 
tower of Babel. Some wore the relics of their 
home-spun garments, some relied upon the an- 
telope and the bear for their wardrobe, some 
lightly habited in buckskin leggings and a coat 
of war-paint, and their weapons were ecjualiy 
various. There was the grim old hunter with 
his long heavy ritie, the farmer with his double- 
barreled shot-gun, the Indian with his bow and 
arrows; and otiiers with horse-pistols, revolvers, 
sabres, ships' cutlasses, bowie-knives, and pep- 
per-boxes (Allen's revolvers)." Fremont, with 
this incongruous l)and, made forced marches 
and reached Sonoma on the morning of June 
25th. After a rest F'remont started for San 
Rafael in quest of Castro and Torre's forces. 
Castro had not crossed over as supposed and 
Torre was invisible. A decoy letter of Torre 
fell into Fremont's hands the purport of which 
was that Torre's force with some other imaginary 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



67 



ally \va> tu prucecd against Sonoma. Fremont at 
unce called tu saddle and his command went 
toward Sonoma as fast as muscle and tendon of 
mustang liorses would carry tliem. Arrived 
there, Fremont became satisfied tliat lie had 
been deceived, and ma<le swift haste l)ack 
toward San Rafael; but it was of no avail — 
the wiley Torre had succeeded in getting his 
troops across the bay and was out of reach ut' 
the clutches of the "Path Finder.'" 

It was on this occasion of the return of 
Fremont to San Rafael that occurred what has 
the resemblance of wanton sacrifice of human 
life. We allude to the shooting of Ramon and 
Fi'ancisco de Haro. They were of a i-espectable 
family living at YerbaBuena. They reacheti the 
San Rafael Embarcaduro in a boat managed by 
Jose R. Berryessa. The llaro's are said to ha\ e 
been (|uite young — only si.xteen or eighteen 
years of age. One version is that they were 
taken prisoners, as spies, and were regularly 
sentenced and shot. But the statement that 
Bancroft seems to give credence to is, that when 
they were seen to land. Kit Carson asked Fre- 
niiint, on starting witli a sijuad of men to meet 
them, whether he should take them prisoners, 
and that Fremont's reply was, "we have no use 
for prisoners.'' It is then claimeil that Carson 
and his men as soon as in shooting distance 
opened lire, killing them on the spot. The late 
Jasper O'Farrel is given as the authority for this 
version, and claimed to have witnessed the whole 
transaction. Unless there is more light cast on 
this transactit)!! than we have had as yet, 
the killing of tiiosc young men will always seem 
wantiin and ciiiel. 

Captain \Villiam I). l*lielj)s of Le.\ington, 
Massachusetts, who was lying at Saucelito with 
his bark, the '• JIii.sc("i\" remarks, says Mr. 
Lancey: - 

'' When Fremont passed San Rafael in pursuit 
of Captain de la Toi're's party, 1 had just left 
them, and he sent me wonl that he would drive 
them to Saucelito that night, when they could 
not escape unless they got my boats. I hastened 
back to the ship and made all safe. There was 



a large launch lying near the lieach; this was 
anchored further otl', and I put provisions on 
board to be ready for Fi-emont should he need 
her. ^Vt night there was not a boat on shore. 
Tone's |»iirty must shortly arrive and show tight 
or snri-ender. Toward morning we heard them 
arrive, and to our surprise they were seen pass- 
ing with a snniU boat from the shore to the 
launch (a small boat had arrived from Yerba 
Buena during the night which had proved their 
salvation). I dispatclied a note to the com- 
mander of the ' Portsuwitth,^ sloop-of-war, then 
lying at Yerba Buena, a cove (tiow San Fran- 
cisco) informing him of their movements, and 
intimating that a couple of his boats could 
easily intercept and cajiture them. Captain 
Montgomery replied that not having received 
any official notice of war existing he could not 
act in the matter. 

"It was thus the poor scamps escaped. Tliey 
pulled clear of the ship and thus escaped sup- 
ping on grape and canister which we had 
prepared for them. 

" Fremont arrived and camped ojijiosite my 
vessel, the bark ' JLiscoir^' the following nig-lit. 
They were early astir the next morning when I 
landed to visit Captain Fremont, and were all 
variously employed in taking care of their 
horses, mending saddles, cleaning their arms, 
etc. I had not up to this time seen Fremont, 
but from reports of his character and exploits 
my imagination hail painted him as a large- 
sized, martial-looking man or persoinige, tower- 
ing above his companions, whiskered and 
ferocious looking. 

" I took a survey of the party, l)ut eouM imt 
discover anyone who looked, as I thought, the 
cajjtain to look. Seeing a tall, lank, Kentucky- 
looking chap (Dr. R. Semplc), dressed in a 
greasy deer-skin hunting shirt, with trousers to 
match, and which terminated just below the 
knees, his head surmounted by a coon-skin cap, 
tail in front, who, I supposed, was an officer as 
he was giving orders to the men, I approached 
and asked if the captain was in camp. He looked 
and pointed out a slender-made, well-jiropor- 



63 



HISTOHY OF SONOMA VOUNTT. 



tioneil man sitting in front of a tent, llis dress 
a blue woolen shirt of somewhat novel style, 
open at the neck, trimmed with white, and with 
a star on each point of the collar (a man-of- 
war's shirt), over this a deer skin hnnting shirt, 
trimmed and fringed, which had evidently seen 
hard times or service, his head unincumljered 
l>y hat or cap, but had a light cotton handker- 
chief bound around it, and deer skin moccasins 
completed the suit, which, if not fashionable for 
I'roadway, or for a presentation dress at court, 
struck nie as being an excellent rig to scud 
under or tiglit in. A few minutes' conversation 
convinceil me that I stood in the presence of 
the King of the Kocky Mountains." 

Fremont remained in the neighborhood of 
San Rafael until July ind, when he returned to 
Sonoma. 

On the 4th of July, our national holiday was 
celebrated with due pomp and ceremony, and 
on the 5th, the California Battalion of mounted 
riflemen, two hundred and tifty strong, was 
ori>-anized. Brevet Captain John C. Fremont, 
Second Lieutenant of Topographical Engineers, 
was chosen^commandante; First Lieutenant of 
Marines, Archibald H. Gillespie, Adjutant and 
Inspector, with the rank of captain. Both of 
the gentlemen named were otlicers of the United 
States Government, yet this organization was 
consummated under the fold of the Bear flag that 
yet kissed the breezes of the " Valley of the 
Moon." The next day, the Gth of July, Fre- 
mont at the head of his mounted riflemen, 
started to make the circuit of the head of the 
bay, to go south in pursuit of Castro. As 
there were now no California soldiers north of 
the bay it did not require a large garrison of 
the bear party to hold Sonoma. 

l)ut the end was hastening. On the 7th of 
July Commodore John Drake Sloat having 
received tidings that war existed between the 
United States and Mexico, demanded and 
received the surrender of Monterey. The news 
was immediately sent to San Francisco, where 
was anchored the American war vessel, PoHs- 
)iiouth. At two o'clock on the moniing of July 



9th, Lieutenant Warren lievere, left that vessel 
in one of lier boats, and reaching the Sonoma 
garrison, at noon of that day, lowered the l>ear 
flag and hoisted in its place the stars and stripts. 
And thus ended the bear flag revolution at 
Sonoma. Lieutenant Keverc also sent Amer- 
ican flags to be hoisted at Sutter's Fort and at 
the establishment of Captain Stephen Smith at 
Bodega. 

Lieutenant lievere was sent to Sonoma by 
Montgomery of the I'ortsmouth, to command 
the garrison, consisting of Company B of the 
battalion, under Captain Grigsby. Lieutenant 
Grigsby tells us that "a few disartected Califor- 
nians were still prowling about the district, in 
pursuit of whom on one occasion he made an 
expedition with sixteen men to the region of 
Point Reyes. He did not And the party sought, 
but he was able to join in a very enjoyable elk- 
hunt." In August the Vallejos, Prudon, 
Leese and Carrillo were released trom durance 
vile, and restored to their families and friends. 
That very amiable relations existed between 
the victors and vanquished is evidenced by the 
fact that in September, while Lieutenant Re- 
vere was absent on an expedition, the Vallejos 
were commissioned to protect the Sonoma 
frontier with a force of Christian Indians. Some 
date previous to Septemlier lltli. Lieutenant 
John S. Mi.ssroon, of the Portsnidxitli, assumed 
command of the Sonoma garrison. 

On the 25th of September, a meeting of the 
"Old Bears " was held at Sonoma, at which J. 
B. Chiles presided and Jolin H. Nash acted as 
secretary, and a committee of three was ap- 
pointed to investigate and gather all the infor- 
mation possible in relation to the action of the 
bear flag party, and report at a subsequent 
meeting. Semple, (Grigsby and Nash were 
appointed the committee. Manuel E. Mcintosh 
was now alcalde of Sonoma. From the bear 
flag conquest of Sonoma, down to the discovery 
of gold in California in 1S4S there is little to 
note in connection with Sonoma. Grigsby, 
Revere, Missroon and Bruckett were the succes- 
sive military commaiidauts, and the Indians 



in STORY op SONOMA dOUNTY. Cfl 

were easily lield in suhjection by Vallejo as was then an inten-egnuni of military rule, after 
snh-agent of Indian atl'airs. In 1848 Sonoma wiiicli John II. Nasii liecame alcalde, and 

had a total population of about 260 souls. | was superseded in 18+7 by Lilburn W. Boggs, 

-losr de los Santos Berryessa under Me.xican rule ■ who, aided by a council of six, administered tiie 

had been at the head of municipal affairs. There ' municipal government of Sonoma until 1848. 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 














CIIAl'TEK VIII. 



TiiK Beai; Fr.AO. now made — xames of the revolutionists— State seal— General Mariano 
(iiAHAMi-K \'Ar.i.i:,in — Gexerai. Johx A. Sctter— S"xoma District pioxeeus— Native Son^ 
(IF the (4()i.1)i:n- West. 



fN the "Admission Day" edition of tlie 
Sonoma Coiniti/ Demoprat of Septeinlier 9, 
i>- 1885, jippuars tlie following. The writer, R. 
A. Thompson, with whom we are well ac- 
quainted, is painstaking and conscientious in 
collating facts, and as he states that mnch of 
his information is derived from actual partici- 
pants, it is entitled to confident credence: 

"The Independents were very proud of their 
flag. The bear made an apt illustration of their 
situation. The grizzly attended strictly to his 
own business, and would go on munching his 
berries and acorns if you let liim and his cubs 
alone. If you undertook to crowd him out, or 
to make him go any other way or any faster 
than lie wanted to go he would show fight, and 
when once in a tight he fought his way out or 
died in his tracks. 

The Independents were here, had cmne in 
good faith, and come to stay; were quiet and 
peaceable if let alone. General Castro under- 
took to crowd them. His grandiloquent proc- 
lamations were harmless, but vexatious. At 
last the crisis came. The Inde])endents, weary 
of threats and rumors of war, were forced, for 
the sake of peace, to fight, and having "gone 



in," to use the identical words of one of them, 
they did not intend to " back out." The bear 
was typical of that idea. 

The difl'erence of opinion about the make-up 
of the bear flag arises from the fact that there 
was more than one made. The first was a very 
iMulc affair. It is described in Lieutenant Miss- 
roon"s rcjiort to Captain ^lontgomery. Lieu- 
tenant Missroon arrived in Sonoma Tuesday, the 
Ifith of June, about forty-eight hours after the 
caj)ture. He i-ejiorts to Captain ^rontgomery 
on the ITtli that "tlie insurgent party had 
hoisted a jlaij with a white field, with a border 
or stripe of red on the lower part, and having a 
bear and star upon it." The words " California 
Hepuldic " were not on it at this time, or of 
course so important a feature would have been 
noted by Lientenant Missroon, who was on a 
sjjecial and e.xceedingly important mission from 
his commander. That these words were after- 
wards added is doubtless true. It is a matter 
of ver}' little importance, luit if any one wishes 
an exact description of the fiagas first raised, he 
can satisfy himself by an examination of the 
above-mentioned report. The flag with the bear 
standing is an after production, as is also the 



ttlSTORY Of 80NOMA COUNTY. 



silk guerdon wliich Lieutenant Revere presentefl 
to the pioneers. The description of the flag 
given by Lieutenant Missroon accords witli tlie 
account of several of the }>arty whom the writer 
has personally interviewed. Of course, as tliere 
were, several flags made; each dift'ered from the 
other, in the material, I'rom whom the material 
was obtained, by whom the flag was made, and 
just how the flgures were placed upon it. Hence 
the confused and many diverse acconrits of it. 
All are right as to what they describe; but 
what they descril)e is not the flag flrst raised by 
the Independents. That was rather a rude 
aflair. In fact, the representation of the bear 
upon it resembled the species j^orcxis as much 
as it did tlie urxux fero.r or horrihlUs. 

There were tiiirty-three men in the Hear l^'iag 
party, more than lialf of whom came from the 
Sacramento Valley. Among the latter was the 
brave and gallant blacksmith, Saraiiel Neal, and 
Ezekiel Merritt, the captain of the company. 

Following is the first list ever published of 
the names of all the party. A number came 
into Sonoma tlie day after the capture, and they 
continued to come in for some time. It is very 
ditticnlt to separate these from the actual mem- 
l)crs lit tlie party who rode into Sonoma on the 
morning of June 14th. The accompanying list 
has been a number of years making, and has 
been revised many times and corrected from 
written records and by personal interviews. 
There are, doubtless, still some errors, which 
may be corrected upon a satisfactory showing: 

Sa('ka:mknto ^'at.lky. — Ezekiel Merritt, R. 
Semple, William Fallon, W. B. Ide, ILL. Ford, 
(I. P. Swift, Samuel Neal, William Potter, 
Sergeant Gibson, W. M. Scott, James (iibbs, II. 
Sanders, P. Storm. 

N.\i'A. Sainnci Kelsey, Penjamin Kelsey, 
John Grigsby, David Hudson, Will Hargrave, 
Harrison Peirce, William Porterfield, Patrick 
McChristian, Elias I'.arrett. ('. Grittith, AVilliam 
].,. Todd, Nathan Coombs, Lucien Ma.xwell. 

Sonoma. — Franklin Pidwell, Thomas Cowie, 
— Fowler, W. B. Elliott, licnjamin Dcwcll, 
John Sears, 'Old lied.'"' 




SEAT, o|.- I AI.IFOKNIA. 

The convention which framed the Constitu- 
tion of the State of California (1849), passed a 
resolution appropriating $1,000 for a design for 
the Official Great Seal. One was presented by 
Mr. Lyons, of which he professed to be the 
author; it represented the Pay of San Francisco, 
as emblematic of the commercial importance ot 
the city and State, with the goddess Minerva in 
the foreground, illuslrating its sudden spring- 
ing into maturity; and the Sierra Nevada in 
the distance indicative of the mineral wealth of 
the country. The motto was the Greek word 
" Eureka " (I have found it). This was pre- 
sented to the committee, which consisted virtu- 
ally of Hon. John McDougal, his associate, 
Hon. Rodman M. Price, being absent. General 
McUongal was ]Jeased with the design, and 
wished it adopted with little- or no alteration; 
but finding that impossible, he consented to 
several minor additions. Thus the figure of the 
grizzly bear was added, as appropriate to the 
only section of the country producing that 
animal. This was especially insisted upon by 
some members, conspicuous among whom was 
the late Hon. -Jacob R. Snyder, then represent- 
ing Sacramento County. The native Califor- 
nians, on the other hand, opposed it, wrongly 
supposing that its introduction was intended to 
inimoi'talizc that event. The sheaf of wheat 
and bunch of grapes was also adopted, as em- 
blems of agricultural and horticultural interests 
of the southern sections of the State, ]iarticn- 
larly. With these exceptions the seal, as (1(>- 
signed by Mr. Lyons, was that selected. After 
it was accepted, some of the members claimed 
the original design of it ft)r Major (iariiett, 
who, however, had expresseil to Mr. Lymis, df 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Lyonsdale (as with harmless affectation the 
eccentric First Assistant Secretary loved to des- 
ignate himself), a desire that he alone should 
he known as its author. Dr. Wozencraft tried 
to have the gold-digger and the hear struck 
out, and General Yallejo wanted the hear re- 
moved, or else fastened hy a lassoo in the hands 
of a vaquero; hut the original suited the ma- 
jority, and it was not altered. 

September 29, 1849, Mr. Norton uttered the 
following, which was adopted: 

Fesoh-ed, That Mv. Caleb Ly..n i)e and he is 
hereby autiiorized, to superintend the engraving 
of the seal for the State, to furnish the same in 
the shortest possible time to the Secretary of 
the Convention, with the press and all necessary 
appendages to be My him delivered to the Sec- 
retary of State appointed under this Constitu- 
tion, ami that the sum of .si, 000 be paid to 
ilr. Lyon in full compensation and payment 
fur the design, seal, ])ress, and all append- 
ages. 

Ji.'soh-td, That "the (Ireat Seal of the State 
(if Califurnia " be added tu the design. 

The seal is thus explained by its designer: 

•'Around the bend of the ring are i-epresented 
thirty-one stars, being the number of States of 
whicii the Union will consist upon the admis- 
sion of California. The foreground figure rep- 
resents the goddess ifinerva liaving sprung 
full-grown from tiie brain of ,hi]»iter. She is 
introduced as a type of political birth of the 
State of California, without having gone through 
the probation of a Territory. At her feet 
crouches a grizzly bear, feeding upon the clus- 
ters from a grape-vine, emblematic of the 
peculiar characteristics of the country. 

"A miner is engaged with his rocker and 
bowl at his side, illustrating the golden wealth 
of the Sacramento, upon whose waters are seen 
shipping, typical of commercial greatness; and 
the snow-clad peaks of tlie Sierra Nevada make 
up the background, while above is the Greek 
motto, 'Eureka' (I have found), applying either 
to the princijjle involved in the admission of 



the State, or tlie success of the minei- at 
work. Caleb Lv<>x, 

" Of Lyonsdale, New York. 
" AloxTE hi: V, Cai.., Sept.' 20, 1849." 

ANOTHER VERSION. 

The above gives the history of the adoption 
of the great seal of the State, as shown b}' the 
i-ecord. Following is another version of its 
origin : 

Major K. S. Garnett of the United States 
army actuallj- made the design of the seal 
whicli was adopted. He declined to claim it, 
on the ground that the knowledge of the source 
from which it came would prevent the adoption 
of the design, owing to the hostility growing 
up between the existing military authorities and 
the nascent civil powers of California. Caleb 
Lyon humbly asked leave of Major (xarnett to 
appropriate and present it as his own. Major 
Garnett replied that lie had no idea of reaping 
either honor or reward from the design, and if 
Mr. Lyon could reconcile it to his conscience to 
represent himself as the author of another's 
work, he was lieartily welcome to what he could 
make of it. 

The last account has about it the earmark of 
truth, but as to which is the more reliable 
account we leave to tlie decision of the reader. 

GeNEUAI. ^[aRIANo GArDAI.t'PE Vaij.e.io. 

A history of Sonoma County with General 
M. G. Yallejo ignored would be like tlie play of 
Hamlet with Hamlet left out. We visited him 
in 1888, and were saddened by the evidences 
apparent on every hand of decayed gentility. 
That he was the friend of the Americans is not 
a question of doubt — that the Americans prof- 
ited by his prodigality and are now indifferent 
to his needs are lamentably true. But his 
name will reach farther down the annals of 
history than it is in the power of gold to 
purchase name and fame. 

Mariano G. Yallejo was born in Alonterey, 
July 7, 1808. His father, Ignacio Yincente 
Ferrer Yallejo was a native of Spain, who came 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



in his youth to the State of Guadalajara, Mex- 
ico. In 1774, wlien a young man, being of an 
adventurous nature, he secretly joined an ex- 
pedition under Captain Rivera for the explora 
tion of Upper California. He was probably 
with Captain Rivera's party on the 4th of 
December, when the large wooden cross was 
erected on the peninsula of San Francisco, 
which his son, General Vallejo, says he saw 
standing in 1829. At all events, he was an 
eye-witness of the founding of the mission of 
San Francisco, which event occurred October 4, 
1776. 

On his arrival in Monterey, Senor Ignacio 
Vallejo saw for the iirst time his future wife. 
It was the day of her birth. He then asked 
permission of the parents of the infant to wed 
their daughter when she should become of age. 
Suhsequently, this proposition, made half in 
jest, was renewed, the sefiorita then heing a 
blooming young girl, and Seilor Vallejo a 
bachelor of forty. The marriage proved a happy 
one, and Mariano G. Vallejo was the eighth of 
thirteen children, the fruit of the union. 

Young Vallejo availed himself of every op- 
portunity to improve his mind by reading and 
study during his minority. He got possession 
of a library when quite young, which was of 
great service. From this source he probably 
acquired a fund of information, which made 
him the peer of the learned and distinguished 
persons from all parts of the world, with whom 
he was destined in after life to be ass(jciated. 

At the age of sixteen years he was a cadet in 
the army, and private secretary of Governor 
Arguello. 

In l.S2y he was jiIucimI in chargf of the I're- 
sidio of San Francisco, which ])ositi(in he held 
until 1834, organizing in the interval the first 
city or town government of San Francisco. 

(Tovernor Figneroa, the most ])opular of all 
the Mexican Governors, had control of affairs 
in 1834. Having learned that a large number 
of colonists, some four hundred odd, were on 
their way to (ialifornia from Mexico, lie deter- 
■ mined to locate them in Sduoma, partly with 



the view of shutting out the Ttussians. and 
partly because it was one of the most inviting 
spots to colonize over which he had ever cast his 
experienced eyes. He selected Lieutenant A"al- 
lejo as the most suitable of his officers to com- 
mand the frontier and execute his plans. 
Together they visited the country, taking in 
their tour of observation the stronghold of the 
Russian squatters at Ross. Returning to the 
Santa Rosa Valley the Governor selected a 
site on Mark West Creek for the future colon}', 
giving it the name of " Santa Anna y Ferias," 
uniting these names prol)ably because he could 
not tell which of the rival political chiefs would 
be on top when he next heard from Mexico. He 
left a camp of soldiers there who were under the 
command of (4eneral Vallejo. The colonists 
were under the direction of Senor Hihas, who 
was a quarrelsome, ambitions and avaricious 
man. (Tovernor Figueroa had received orders 
to turn over the control of affairs to Hihas. On 
his return from Sonoma he met a courier with 
orders, countermanding the former instruction, 
and continuing the direction of affairs solely in 
his own hands. 

The colonists arrived in March, 1835, and 
were temporarily quartered in Sonoma. Hihas 
and his coadjutors among the colonists wei-e 
mnch disaffected, and threatened rebellion. 
Figueroa ordered their arrest. This order was 
executed by General Vallejo with much skill 
and judgment, without bloodshed or any per- 
sonal collision. Hihas and his cosmopolitan 
company were taken to San Francisco, and were 
soon after sent Jiack to Mexico. 

(ieneral Vallejo remained Iti charge of the 
fi'ontiei'. He removed his headquurtei's from 
Santa Anna y Ferias, on Mark West, to Sonoma, 
when, liy order of Figueroa, he, in the month 
of June, 1835, established the town of Sonoma. 

(ieneral Figueroa died soon after these events. 
His successor, (iovernor Carrillo, was deposed 
by Alvarado. The new governor appointed 
(Toneral Vallejo to the position of Command- 
ante (Tfueral of the frontier. 

In this position (xeueral Vallrjn did all in his 



74 



HISTORY OF SONOMA GOV NT Y. 



powei' to promote tlie settlement of the frontier. 
Expeditions were sent ont against the Indians, 
agricnltnral industries were extendeti, and the 
raising of cattle, sheep and horses was in (>verv 
wa}' en con raged. 

Between 1840 and 1845 a large numljiT of 
immigrants came to northern California. Tliey 
were well received by the General, though the 
home government was continually " nagging" 
him because he did not send tlie foreigners ont 
of the country, at the same time giving him 
neither men nor means to carry ont their order. 

Jn the early part of the vear 1840, affairs in 
California were rapidly approaching a crisis. 
In April, a junta was called to meet at Monterey 
to consider the condition of affairs. Revere gives 
a summary of some of the speeches made. 
That of General A'^allejo was as follows: 

"I cannot, gentlemen, coincide with the mili- 
tary and civil functionaries who have advocated 
the cession of our country to France or Eng- 
land. It is most true that to rely any longeron 
Mexico to govern and defend ns would be idle 
and absunl. To this extent 1 fully agree with 
my colleagues. It is also true that we possess 
a noble country, every way calculated, from posi- 
tion and resources, to become great and power- 
ful. For that very reason I would not have her 
a mere dependency upon a foreign monarchy, 
naturally alien, or at least indifl'erent to our in- 
terests and our welfare. It is not to be denied 
that feeble natinns have in former times thrown 
themselves upon the protection of their power- 
ful neighbors. The I>ritons invoked the aid of 
the warlike Saxons, and fell an easy prey to 
tiieir protectors, who seized their lands and. 
treated them like slaves. Long before that 
time, feeble and distracted provinces had 
ajjpealed for aid to the all-conquering arms of 
imperial Rome, and they were at the same time 
protected and subjugated by their grasping 
ally. Even could we tolerate the idea of depend- 
ence, ought we to go to distant Europe for a 
master? What possible sj'mpathy could exist 
between us and a nation separated from us by 
two vast oceans;! Bnt wniving this insu]ierable 



objection, how could we eiulure to cdmo under 
the dominion of a monarchy? For, althdugh 
others speak lightly of a form of goverment, as 
a freeman, I cannot do so. We are republicans 
— badly governed and badly situated as we are — 
still we are all, in sentiment, republicans. So 
far as we are governed at all, we at least profess 
to be self-governed. Who, then, that possesses 
true patriotism will consent to subject himself 
and his cliildrfu U\ the capi-ices of a foreign 
king and his official minions? lint it is asked, 
if we do not throw ourselves upon the ])rotec- 
tion of France and England, what shall we do? 
I do not come here to support the existing order 
of things, but I come prepared to propose in- 
stant and ett'ective action to extricate our country 
from her ])resent forlorn condition. My opin- 
ion is made up tliat we must persevere in 
throwing oil the galling yoke of Mexico, and 
proclaim our independence of her forever. V\e 
have endnreil her official cormorants and her 
villainous soldiery until we can endui-e no 
longer. All will probably agree ^\itll nic that 
we ought at once to rid ourselves of what may 
remain of Mexican domination. But some 
profess to doubt our ability to maintain our 
position. To my niind there comes no doubt. 
Look at Texas, and see how long she withstood 
the power of uTiited Mexico. The resources of 
Texas were not to be compared with ours, and 
she was niucli nearer to her enemy than we are. 
Our position is so remote, either by land oi' 
sea, that we are in no danger from Mexican 
invasion. Why, then, should we hesitate still 
to assert our independence? We have indeed 
taken the first step by electing our own (gover- 
nor, but another remains to be taken. I will 
mention it plainly and distinctly — it is annex- 
ation to the United States. In contemplating 
this consummation of our destiny, I feel noth- 
ing but pleasure, and 1 ask you to share it. 
Discard old prejudices, disregard old customs, and 
prepare for the glorious change which a^-aits 
our country. Why should we shrink from in- 
corpoi-ating ourselves with the happiest and 
freest nation in the world, destined soon to lie- 



niSTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



tlie most wealtliy and powerful^ ^^'^I'y should 
we go abroad for protection when this gi-eat 
nation is onr adjoining neiglilior? When we 
join our fortunes to liers, we shall not become 
subjects, but fellow-citizens, possessing all the 
rights of tlie people of tlie United States, and 
choosing our own federal and local rulers. We 
siiall have a stable government and just laws. 
California will grow strong and flourish, and her 
people will be prosperous, happy and free. Look 
not, therefore, with jealousy upon tlie hardy 
pioneers who scale onr mountains and cultivate 
onr unoccupied plains; l)ut rather welcome them 
as brothers, who come to share with us a com- 
7non destiny.'' 

Lieutenant Revere was in Monterey when the 
junta met; its prx^ceodings were secret, but he 
says it was notorious that two parties existed in 
the country, and that General Vallejo was the 
leader of the American party, while Castro was 
at the head of the European party. lie says he 
had his report of the meeting from documentary 
evidence, as well as sketches of the principal 
speeches. He also says that so soon as General 
Yallejo retired from the junta he addressed a 
letter to Governor Pio Pico embodying the views 
he had expressed in his speech and refusing ever 
again to assist in any project having for its end 
the establishment of a protectorate over Califor- 
nia by any other power than the United States. 

At last the long threatened storm broke upon 
the town of Sonoma, and its commandante and 
little garrison were captured by the Americans, 
(leneral Vallejo was kept as a prisoner for about 
a month, and released i)y order of Commodore 
Stockton. 

General Vallejo, speaking of the condition of 
affairs in Northern California previous to the 
taking of Sonoma, said: 

" Years before I had urgently represented to 
the Government of Mexico the necessity of 
stationing a sufficient force on the frontier, else 
Sonoma would be lost; which would be equiva- 
lent to leaving the rest of the country an easy 
prey to the invader. AVhat think yon, my 
irieiids, were the instructions sent me in reply 



to my repeated demands for means to fortify the 
country? These instructions were that 1 slumld 
at once force the immigi-ants to recross the 
Sierra Nevada and depart from the territory of 
the Republic. To say nothing of the in- 
humanity of these orders, their execution was 
ph^'sically impossible; first, because I had no 
military force; and second, because the immi- 
grants came in the autumn, when snow covered 
the Sierra so quickly as to render return im- 
practicable. Under tiie circumstances not only 
L but Commandante-General Castro, resolved to 
provide tlie immigrants with letters of security, 
that they might remain temporarily in the 
country. We always made a show of authority, 
but were well convinced all the time that we had 
no power to resist the invasion which was coin- 
ing in upon us. With the frankness of a sol- 
dier I can assure j'ou that the American immi- 
grants never had cause to complain of the 
treatment they received at the hands of either 
authorities or citizens." 

General Vallejo on his release at once made 
his great influence as a friend of the United 
States felt throughout the country. He took 
active interest in public affairs always on the 
side of order and good government. lie was 
elected a member of the Constitutional Conven- 
tion which met in Monterey, and was a Senator 
from the Sonoma District in the first Legislature 
of California. And from that period down to 
the present he has been an enterprising, useful, 
and honored citizen of Sonoma. In priority of 
settlement, he is the first of the 35,0(10 inlialii- 
tants now living in this county. 

On the 6th of March, 1832, he married 
Senorita Benicia Francesca Carillo, who still 
survives with her distinguished husband. 

In person General Vallejo, even at his ad- 
vanced age, is a strikingly handsome man. lie 
is tall and erect in carriage, with the military 
air of one disciplined to arms in his early youth. 
He is a brilliant conversationalist, an eloquent 
s]i(>aker, even in English, which he acquired late 
in lilc. To these accomplishments may be addi^d 
the liT.icc of gesture and manner wliicii he in 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



lierits with his hinoc 
cavaliers. 



from an ancestry of Spanish 



A. SiTTKi;. 



(Ji:nekai, . 

As tlie name of Captain Jolin A. Sutter is so 
intimately woven with the iiistory of tiie State 
as to be a part of the same, and as his purchase 
of the Ross property identified him directly 
with the early history of Sonoma County, \vc 
give place to the following letter written by 
him in 1845. It is interesting as showing the 
real conditions in California at the time it was 
written : 

Nkw Helvetia, 1st Jan., 1845. 

Sir and Dear Friend: — My reasons for not 
writing sooner is that I lacked an opportunity, 
since j-our young man was afraid of bad 
weather. 

I was in hopes all the time that perhaps I 
might have the pleasure of seeing yon at Verba 
Buena. 

I spoke to Mr. Snyder and Alemans, M'ho 
lioth ])romised to go to Sonoma and pay yon a 
visit. The representation, etc., for Mr. ( 'astill- 
ero, I have left in the hands of Mr. Forbes, and 
hope that the former will have received them 
before his departure fromCalifornia to Mexico. 

I was astonished to hear over there the news 
that I had sold mj' establishment to the Govern- 
ment, and in fact Mr. Estudillo told me that 
yon had gone to see those gentlemen at the 
Moquelumne River, so that it seems that they 
have not kept the matter secret. What is your 
opinion about it, sir^ Do you think that the 
Government \vill buy it? I wish I was certain 
of that, so that I might take the necessary 
measures. In case the Government decided 
about this purchase, do yon think it would be 
possible to obtain a part of the sum on account. 
enough to pay a part of my debts? 

1 could put them in possession of the estab- 
lishment at the end of the harvest. It seems 
to me that the Government ought not to neglect 
that affair; for next autumn many emigrants 
are bound here from the United States, and one 
thing comforts me, that there will be many 



Germans, French ami Swiss amongst them. I 
have received letters to that etfect from a few 
friends, through the last little party of ten men. 

At all events, nothing conUI be more neces- 
sary for the (Government than a respectable posi- 
tion here, in this place. 

Among the emigrants who intend coming, 
are gentlemen of great means, capitalists, etc. 

liy some letters that I have received from 
New ^ ork, I see that one will bring over all 
the machinery tit for two steamers; one is 
destined to be a coaster, while the other will sail 
the l)ay to Sacramento. The Russians (or 
Russe) will also bring a little one for the Cap- 
tain Leidesdorff, and the Russian Captain (or 
the Captain Russe) Leinderherg, my friend, has 
made me a present of a little machine large 
enough for a sloop, which he had made for his 
pleasure; tliat will i)e very nice for the river. 
The Dr. McLonghlin, at Vancouver (Columbia), 
has retired from the Hudson Bay Co., and in- 
tends to come and live here. He will give a 
new impnlse to business; he is the great protec- 
tor of agriculture. A ship is going to bring us 
printing material, and I intend to have a news- 
paper published, half Spanish, half English. 
Such progress are made throughout civilization, 
and here we are so much behind. E]ven in 
Tahiti, there is a lithography, and a newspaper 
is published: FS Oceanic Francaisr. 

We expect a ship from New Vork in the 
course of about a month; it will bring us all the 
necessary implements of agricidture selected on 
purpose for our valley, comprising many plows, 
with farmers' garments, etc., etc. This shij) 
would enter without paying the Custom House 
duties, if the thing was possible, or, at least, pay 
them at a moderate rate; or do you think that 

arrangements could be made with Wv. 

by paying him four or six thousand dollars, 
that he might let the ship enter for the benefit 
of the inhabitants of Sacramento. This would 
render him quite popular among us; the advan- 
tage derived for the country would be great; the 
inhabitants of would have the same ad- 
vantage as we. In April will arrive another 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



sliip, witli iiMotlier cargo well suited for our 
valley. The proprietor of these two ships are 
very rich, and t'onn one of the wealthiest firms 
in New York and I^ondoii. They contemplate 
l)uving a lot near the I'ay or Sacramento River, 
to open warehouses, and keep a stock (.>f articles 
we may need. They would sell on credit to all 
tliL' larmers who would desire their trust, and 
take in [i;iyineut wheat or any other of the pro- 
ducts of the country, as well as a great quantity 
of salted salmon. The other merchants wJio 
transact husiness in this unfortunate country, 
rcl'use to receive anything hut leather and tallow. 
This is the ruin of the country. If there was 
sucli a market and such a competition open, you 
would soon &ee a great difference. 

I liope that you will find some means of hav- 
ing that ship enter; pei'haps Mr. 

can assist you in the matter; (indeed I 

have heard that he was on very good terms 
with the jovial cajjtain), and that affair ought to 
have (juite as much interest for him as for us. 

1 regret very much heing so far from you, 
and not having more opportunities of corre- 
sponding, which is e8]jeciaily the case in winter. 

I wish you could write to me as soon as pos- 
sible, for I feel convinced that you would easily 
settle these affairs, since your position as secre- 
tary to , and your friendly terms with 

Capt. ■ are advantages which would soon 

lead us to enrich ourselves, with good manage- 
ment. 

The Capt. Fremont of the United States 
Army has gone to meet his other company, 
commanded by the Capt. Walker (under his 
orders), who had been sent after the discovery 
of another passage through the mountains, 
more to the south; I expect them daily; they 
will spend the winter here, and depart again 
in spring for Columbia. 

Another small party of ten men has arrived 
since from the United States; this will be the 
last; they were fortunate in escaping the snow 
which fell in great abundance in the mountains 
at their arrival. 

Samuel Smith has been here during my ab- 



sence to Yerba Huena, and unfortunately I for- 
got to leave orders for his arrest. They told 
him that 1 had orders to detain him a prisoner, 
and he answered that he would conje another 
time when I should be present, but that he did 
not care to be a prisoner; since then he has imt 
returned. 

I believe that he is still somewhere on the 
other side, and that he is likely to join, by and 
by, the company now preparing to go to 
Columbia. Anuuig the people in the upper 
valley are a few bad characters who stole some 
of my horses, and some mares and cows of Mr. 
Corelua's. They are disposed to steal a great 
deal more, and intend coming near Sonoma l)e- 
fore their departure, to steal as many cattle as 
possible. We must try to imprison some of 
the principal ones, and I hope I can depend on 
Capt. Fremont and his men. He will doubtless 
enable me to make his countrymen prisoners, 
for, to look over such acts, would be the worst 
influence for the future. However, in case Air. 
Fremont refuses to assist in the capture of the 
worst of his countrymen, I shall try to do it 
alone; and if 1 have not sutticient power to suc- 
ceed, 1 shall write to Mr. Vallejo for an auxil- 
iary, etc., etc. 

It was with the greatest displeasure that I 
heard from Mr. Wolfsquiell, who came here 
from Los Angeles, of that bad rascal Fluggo not 
being dead, but hope that you will do your best 
to secure that lot of ground which will )irove, 
no further than next year, a fortune for you 

I hope that Mr. Covarubias will assist you. 

In a few weeks the lauiiche will come to 
Sonoma with some of Heaulieu's garments, and 
will bi'ing at the same time some tanned leather 
for Mr. Vallejo. I therefore beg that you would 
deliver the ten fanegas of wheat to JMaintop, 
(captain of the launche). If you have any 
corn, 1 shall buy some. As lor the deer skins 
which you ha\f, 1 shall write by the same 
means ami tell you whether I shall take them 
or not. 

How inconvenient it is for us in the north, 
that the capitol should be so far distant. It 



U J STOUT OF SONOMA VOUNTY. 



takes at least four or iive mouths before receiv- 
iug au answer; it would be almost as well uot 
to write at all, for it tires one so inucli. 

I make uo more reports to the Governuient, 
e.\ce[)t to Mr. Castro, as he is the nearest, and 
he can make his statement to the i;overnmeut if 
he judges it necessary. 

1 have not as yet received an answer from 
the I'adre Real about the letter that you were 
kind enoiiuli to write for me abotit fruit trees 
and vines. 

Vuu know that Mr. Castro has given me the 
permission of receiving as much as I needed. 
Advise me, if you please, un what 1 can do. 
Will it be possibe to receive "some vine trees" 
in Sonoma? If you could have them ready in 
about three weeks, something like 2,000 of 
them, 1 would pay you as much as they cost. 

If I have vines here, you can have them 
(|uite near your farm. {^'.'iV) 

Leidesdortf is appointed agent of the Co. 
Amer. Ilusse, to receive the products from me, 
and iiuy from them. I had the pleasure to see 
the Captain de Lion, Mr. I5onnet, who told me 
the troop alone in Marquesas and Tahiti, leav- 
ing out the inhabitants, consume (550 arobas of 
tlour a day, and that the Govei'iiment would pre- 
fer to send here for the provisions, if we can 
sell them at the same price as in Chili, i?;! the* 
quintal; we could very well compete at that 
price if that cursed Custom House ceased to 
exist. 

If this country dei'ived any utility from the 
Custom House one would not complain so 
much, but it is only good to provide for a lot of 
useless officers who devour the very marrow of 
the country. If at last a pajier could be pub- 
lished that would unseal the blind men's eyes, 
1 trust that you may take a ])art and interest in 
that affair of printing. 

I am now constructing ii mill with two pairs 
of mill-stones, for a great (juantity of flour will 
be needed next autumn when the enugrants 
arrive. 

A much better road, some -iOO miles shorter, 
has been discovered, and the Captain Fremont 



I has also found in the last chain of mountains a 
much easier passage than the otie known so far; 
every trip they make some new discovery. I 
can assure you that in five years more there will 

[ be a railroad from the United States here. 1 

I can see that. Already the llocky Mountains 
commence to be peopled, where eight years ago 

' I could see nothing bnt deserts with Indians, 
and where now stand quite consideraljle cities. 
The crowd of emigrants arriving in the United 
States increase the population to such an extent 
that it will tind its way even to the Pacific 
shores. A year and two more and no power 
will be able to stop that emigration. 

Next week you shall have more news from 
your devoted friend, 

J. A. Sl'ttek. 
While the above letter shows that Captain 
Sutter had an eye strictly to business, it also 
shows that he took in the real situation and 
knew that American rule was the ultimate des- 
tiny of California. 

We cannot better close this ciiajtter than by 
appending the following names of those who 
helped to establish permanent settlements on 
the north side of San h'rancisco Hay: 

SONOMA KISTKICT I'loNKEKS. 

The "Society of California pioneers, compris- 
ing the counties of Sonoma, Napa, Lake, Men- 
docino and Marin," was organized December 
25, 1867. 

Those who arrived in California jirior to the 
9th day of September, 1850, and their male de- 
scendants, are eligible to membership. The 
past presidents have been: Uriah Edwards, 
1867- 68; Nicholas Carriger, lS68-'72; William 
M. Boggs, 1872-'74; William McPherson Hill, 
1874-"76; John Cavanaugh, 1876-"78; Julius 
A. I'oppe, 1878-"79; Thomas EaH, 1879-81; 
Daniel H. Davisson, 1881-'8L 

The members are: William C. Adams, Louis 
Adler, Hierre Augards, Stephen Akers, John 
Abbott, S. J. Agnew, (J. S. Allen, J. M. Arm- 
strong, Joseph Albertson, AV. G. Alban, Thomas 
Allen, E. G. Alban, Horatio Appleton, N. H. 



BISTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Aiiiesbiiry, D. li. Alderson, John Hall Allison, 
Charles H. Allen, W. F. Allen, Charles Alex- 
ander, Charles G. Ames, William M. Boggs, J. 
15. Beam, William II. Brady, Herman Barnh. 
A. A. Basignano, E. Biggs, Louis Bruck. Edward 
F. Bale, John Brown, Samuel Brown, William 
Board, John F. lioyce, J. 8. Brackett, David 
Burris, I. S. Bradford, R. Bunnell, R. T. Barker, 
.W V. Barker, John N. Bailache, E. N. Boyntoii, 
Ar. Barney, J. I). Beam, H. H. Brower, Will 
mm V. Boyce, M. C. Briggs, H. AV. Baker, J. 
W. Boggs, Erwin Barry, Sim H. But'ord, San- 
ford Bennett, H. E. Boggs, Elias Barnett, 
AVilliam Baldbridge, A. C. Boggs, John M 
Boggs, George W. Boggs, Joseph O. Boggs, 
Theodors W. Boggs, L. W. Boggs, Jr., J. N. 
Bennett, P. G. Baxter, Jesse Jieasley, Z. Briggs, 
Robert Brownlie, Jonathan E. Bond, Peter D 
Bailey, John Bright, T. C. Brown, A. B. Bor- 
rell, John Bailiff, William Bradford, 11. C. 
Boggs, Nicholas (!arriger, Julio Carrillo, Will- 
iam Corj', Columbus Carlton, John Cavanagh, 
Howard Clark, G. W. Clark, Solomon H. Car- 
riger, W. W. Carpenter, C. C. Carriger, A. E. 
Carriger, B. L. Cook, T. S. Coo|)er, J. R. Cooper, 
W. L. Copeland. R. Crane, J. Clark, O. W. 
Craig, (i. AV. Cornwall, W. M. Coleman, E. 
Coleman, H. K. Clark, S. 1!. Carpenter, Y . 1'. 
Cook, D. Chamberlin, J. Cairn, O. Clark, W. 
R. Coburn, 1). W. Carriger, J. L. Cook, J. J. 
Cugill, Sr., L. Carson, J. C Crigler, J. Ciay- 
niiui, J. Chiles, J. Custer, B. Capell, J. Cyrus, 
A. J. Cox, S. Clark, L. Clia[)nian, JS'. Coombs, 
\). C. Crockett, Dr. C. Crouch, AV. R. Cook, J. 
Chauvet, H. Decker, JVl. Donohne, H. W. Dick- 
inson, D. D. Davidson, W. Dorman, B. W,,. 
Diffendurffei-, E. L. Davis, N. Dunljar, J. Dick- 
enson, A. J. Dullarhide, J. W. Easter, T. Earl, 
E. Emerson, J>. E. Edsall, L. F. Eaton, AV. 
Edgington, A. Y. Easterby, W. Ellis, J. Fer- 
nald, J. F. Fowler, J. M. Freeman, A. J. AV. 
Faure, J. T. Fortson, J. Fulton, J. AV'. I'lavell, 
H. Fowler, AV^ Fowler, W. A. Fisher, A. Far- 
ley, S. AV. Faudre, F. Fisher, J. M. Gregson, T. 
C. Grey, F. P. Green, (). Greig, J. Gibson, W. 
Green, J. F. (ireen, J.Gallagher, W. W. (ireen- 



ing, A. J. Gordon, J. Griffin, J. J. Goodin, Dr. 
J. B. Gordon, G. G. (lardner, AV'. Gordon, C. 
Griffith, J. Grigsby, R. A. Gill, G. Grigsby, P. 
D. Grigsby, A. J. Galbiaith, J. T. Grigsby, E. 
Gilleii, P. Gessford, J. Henly, AV. Hood, T. 
Hopper, H. Hall, L. AI. Harmon, C. Humph- 
ries, H. Hill, W. M. Hill, 1). Hudson, J. Henry, 
T. B. Hopper, C. Hopper, B. Hoen, H. H. Hall, 
S. H. Flyman, A. Hixson, A. Harasthy, L. C. 
Hubbard, H. P. Holmes, J. AV. Harlan. T. F. 
Hudson, AV. B. Hagans, C. Hazelrigg, J. 1). 
Hollaway, AV. H. Holleday, J. B. Horrel, J. 
Henry, AV. Hargrave, M. Hudson, J. Hudson, 
J. Harbin, M. Harbin, (4. Hallet, AV. A. Has- 
kins, J. Haskius, AV. A. Haskins, Jr., L. Hig- 
gins, F. M. Hackett, J. H. Howlaud, I. Howell, 
J. Howell, D. Howell, P. Howell, M. R. Hardin, 
R. S. Hardin, C. Hartson, II. D. Hopkins, W. 
Houx, A. Henry, L. Jlaskell, K. A. Harvey, M. 
Ingler, R. Jones, B. Joy, E. Justi, E. K. Jen- 
ner, D. Jones, C. Juarez, J. A. Jamieson, G. E. 
Jewett, A. Krippenstapul, F. Keller, H. Kreuse, 
A. Kohle, J. Knight, R. Kennedy, R. L. Kil- 
burn, T. Knight, AV. Kilburn, I. Kellogg, AV. 
W. Kennedy, A. W. King, 1. Kilburn, C. AV. 
Lubeck, N. Long, R. Lennox, G. AV. I.,ewis, J. 
H. Lane, C. H. Lamkin, J. A. Losse, J. Lut- 
gens, H. H. Lewis, II. I). Lay, A. J. Lafevie. 
15. Little, J. F. Lainden. J. 1>. Lamar, <i. Linn, 
J)r. T. AL Leavenworth, H. Ludolph, J. E. Ale 
Litos'', N. E. Manning, R. McGee, W. E. 
McConnell, J. McLaughlin, AV. Mock, S. AIc- 
Donough, AV. Montgomery, J. H. McCord, J. 
M. Mansfield, R. G. Merritt, D. ]>. Alorgan, P. 
McChristian, (4. W. McCain. A. J. Willis. J. 
Munday, M. T. McClellan, J. IMcCormick, L. 
AV. Mayer, J. AV. Morris, J. R. .Moore, Jr., A. 
C. McDonald, AV. J. .March, AV. II. Alanlove. J. 
LL Moore, J. .Martin, C. Alusgrove, AV. .Mc- 
Donald, J. Aloran, 11. Mygatt, A. Monmert, G. 
McMahon, R. McGarvey, \\ . Mclieynolds, AV. 
H. Morri.s, J. Neil, P. G. Norburn. S. S. Noble, 
AV. Neil, L. A. Norton, E. Neblett, AV. H. Nash, 
J. M. Nichols, G. W. Gman, A. A. Olmstead, 
A. P. Overton, 11. Ousley, S. Orr, J. H. Orr, 
W. Ousley, J. N. I'almer, G. I'earce, AV. Potter, 



ninrOKT OF SONOMA COUNT r. 



J. C. Peavy, 11. J. Preston, J. Powell, M. 
Powell, A. P. Petit, 0. Peterson, G. AV. Peter- 
son, 1'. II. Plnirris, 11. L. Pierce, 1). Powell, T. 
J. Poulterer, E. D. Phillips, S. Porter, J. I). 
Patton, J. A. Pngli, T. Partiii, 11. Portertield, 

E. 11. Pierce, P. Polsten, J. Y. Porter, D. Pat- 
ton, J. Powell, R. Poppe, J. Poppe, C. Poppe, 
1). Qiiinliven, J. Robeson, T. Rocliford, V. 
Robin, C. Rogers, W. P. Reed, 11. Robinson, J. 
M. Robers, J. L. Ronner, D. Ripley, T. W. 
Richards, S. U. Rupe, J.Reynolds, A. F. Rede- 
nieyer, J. Regan, G. Reeve, B. Robinson, J. 
Robinson, B. L. Robinson, Col. Ritchie, A. J. 
Raney, 8. F. Raney, W. li. Russell, J. Selling, 
R. Spence, J. Smith, F. Starke, D. W. Sroufe, 
N. O. Stafford, E. W. Sax, P. Sneed, P. Shar- 
vein, J. W. Siiarp, D. Spencer, J. K. Smith, S. 
M. Shinn, J. Sedgley, J. H. Seipp, J. Singley, 

F. Sears, J. Stewart, A. Salaman. J. 11. Sturte- 
vant, ('. J. Son, J. F. Shinn, C Stewart, T. 
Smith, J.Stiltz, W. C. Smith, .1. .1. Swift, J. 
Somers, A. Stines, Dr. B. Shurtleff, J. Short, S. 
D. Towne, G. Tomking, E. Towne, W. S. 
Thomas, C. C. Toler. C. Talbott, R. Tucker, J. 
Tucker, G. Tucker, William Truebody, J. True- 
body, John Truebody, W. Truebody, S. Tucker, 
T. H. Thompson, AVilliani Topping, G. W. 
Thompson, J. Udall, F. Ulilhorn, F. Vanllallen, 
P. J. Vasquez, A. Von Quitzow, P. Van Berver, 
A. J. Van Winkle, M. G. Vallejo, S. Vallejo, 
D. Wharff, F. Wilsey, C. Weise, J. J. Weenis, 
L. C. Woodworth, W. Webb, W. S. M. Wright, 
Joseph Wright, H. L. AVeston, 11. M. Wilson, J. 

A. Williams, J. Walton, A. A. White, D. AY. 
AValker, J. Wooden, W. H. Winters, J. AYilson, 
J. AVestfall, R. B. Woodward, C. B. AVines, J. 

B. AValdan, J. M. AYhite, P. AVard, 1). Yurk, 
11. York, J. York, L. W. Znager. 

XATCVE SUNS IN SONOMA. 

The tirst Parlor of the Native Sons of the 
Golden AVest, instituted in Sonoma County, was 
in the city of Petaluina. It took the appropriate 
name of Bear Flag Parlor. It was organized 
on the 1st of March, 1884, by District Deputy 
Grand President Charles W. Decker, of San 



Francisco, assisted by I'ast Grand President 
Grady, Past Grand Secretary Lunstedt and 
others. It is No. 27 in the order of its institu- 
tion. The following persons were elected and 
installed as its iirst othcers : J. B. Schlosser, 
P. P.;M. E. C. Monday, P.; John F. Naugh- 
ton, 1st A^ P.; C. R. Peters, 2d V. P.; AV. King, 
3rd V. P.; Frank P. Doyle, Treas.; L. F. 
Ellsworth, Roc. Sec; F. C. AVest, P^in. Sec; 
Fred Chamberlain, Marshal; J. Fenger, 1. S. ; 
James Wright, O. S.; A. Newburgh, C. AY. 
Brascombe and F. Green, Trustees. Alter the 
ceremonies were over, there v.-as an agreeable 
entertainment, and Bear Flag Parlor was fairly 
launched on its career of usefulness. The 
following 11th of May, the Bear Flag boys 
gave a picnic at Laurel Grove, San Rafael. All 
into.xicants were ruled out of order, and a most 
agreeable day was spent beneath the shade of a 
grove of native laurels. Following is a complete 
list of the present officers and members of the 
Bear Flag Parlor, for which we are indebted to 
the courtesy of Recording Secretary, 1). 11. 
White : 

Officers— Sr. P. P., AY. E. King; P. P., 11. 
Mc C. Weston; Pres., C. E. Dillon; 1st V. P., 
Dan Brown, Jr; 2d V. P., AV. 11. Robinson; 3d 
V. P., J. 1. Jewell; Rec Sec, D. \l. AVhite; 
Fin. Sec, F. C. AVest; Treas., N. G. Crowley; 
Mar., J. A. Fenger; O. S., F. E. Dowd; 1. S., R. 
J. Facey ; Trustees, G. L. Young, J. F. Dolan and 
H. C. Thompson; Surgeon, J. H. Crane, M. D. 

JVIembers — M. Y. llolton, AV. A. Chapman, 
W. F. Chamberlain, Chas. Towne, M. E. C. 
Munday, C. H. Myers, J. R. Denman, J. T. 
Studdert, L. B. Towne, J. ¥. Naughton, J. AV. 
Cowles, J. Tighe, E. O. Lefebre, T. F. Purring- 
ton, F. J. Bryan; S. (4. Stockdale, 11. J. East- 
man, B. E. O'llara, J. E. Mallen, F. A. 
Wickersham, J. Adler, C. E. Morris. 

WKSTKKN STAK PAKI.HK. 

AVestern Star Parlor, No. 28, Santa Rosa, 
was instituted March the 13tli, 188-4, by Dis- 
trict Deputy C. H. Decker, assisted by Grand 
Vice-President John fV. Steinback, Grand 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



81 



Lecturer, M. A. Doni, Past President, Frank 
•J. Iligj^ins, uikI actinii; (irand Secretary, li. 
Luiistetlt. I'acilic, Callt'ornia and 15ear Flag 
Parlurs were represented. President Harmon, 
of tlie Historic Parlor, California No. 1, occupied 
the chair during the initiatory ceremonies, siip- 
})orted by CTrand Lecturer Dorn and Messrs. 
Yale and Shannahan, of San Francisco, and 
other Grand and Acting Grand otHcers. At 
the close of the initiatory ceremonies the follow- 
ing officers were installed: Past President, H. 
L. Hranthaver; President, Geo. Honior Meyer; 
First Vice President, W. F. Russell; Second 
Vice President, L. W. Juilliard; Third Vice 
President, R. A. Harris; Recording Secretary, 
Emmet Seawell; Financial Secretary, George P. 
Duncan; Ti'easurer, George Hood, Jr; Marshal, 
Aubrey iiarham; Inside Sentinel, Alpheus Reed; 
Outside Sentinel, E. B, Rohrer; Executive 
Committee, Chas. M. Gstrum, J. McReynolds 
and John W. Lambert. After the installation 
there was an entertainment which passed most 
pleasantly. Messrs. Steinback, Higgins, Deck- 
er, Dorn and Lnnstedt, Hartuian, Meyer and 
Jefferies, making timely and eloquent ad- 
dresses. 

P'ollowing is a complete list of the present 
otHcers and members of Western Star Parlor 
No. 28, in the order of their admission into the 
parlor : 

Ufticers — Geo. I). Duncan, P. P.; W. F. iius- 
sell. P.; Don Mills, 1st V. P.; T. J. Hutchinson, 
2d V. P.; John McMinn, Jr., 3d V. P.; J. H. 
Adams, R. S.; L. W. Juilliard, F. S.; Geo. 
Hood, Jr., Treasurer; F. (4. Gerichten, Marshal; 
J. W. Irwin, I. S.: Chas. Underhill, O. S. ; 
John Hood, W. 1!. Atterbury, H. L. Hranthaver, 
Trustees. 

Members — (ieo. H. Meyer, R. A. Harris, R. 
A. Radger, J. A. Harham, J. M. McReynolds, 
J. W. Lambert, II. Pariiey, W. M. Duncan, 
John Creagh, W. H. ilanion, W. M. Irwin; G. 
J. Rarnett, Emmet Seawell, J. W.Adams, J. F. 
R. Cook, Douglas I>adger, W. A. Ford, C. H. 
Holmes, Jr., J. S. Childers, F. R. McCutchin, 
R. L. Adams, F. (i. (Jerichten, J. N. Norris, W. 



S. I'. Coulter, C. V. Tupper, Dan P. Carter, H. 
(t. IJahman, E. P. Colgan, M. F. Ilauck; J. S. 
Ross, Julian Ilolman, R. D. Cannon, W. E. 
Ilealey, L. W. Jiurris, W. R. Carithers, W. T. 
Spridgeon; J. P. Overton, R. A. Long, Wm. 
Wilkins, J. S. Titus, Jr., M. II. Durbin, F. S. 
Lowell. 

On Admission Day, September 1), 1885, the 
National Sons of the Golden West had a grand 
celebration at Santa Rosa. Every Parlor in the 
State was represented. There were about 1,000 
Native Sons in the procession, mariiiig time to 
the inspiring music of nine brass bands. It was 
a gala day long to be remembered. The liter- 
ary e.\ercises were held at the Santa Rosa Athe- 
naMim. J. II. McGee delivered the address of 
welcome, and Governor Stonenian spoke of 
pioneer times. The annual address was delivered 
by Charles T. Weller. It was as follows: 

His Excellency the Gocernor — Ladies and 
(Jentlemen — Natice Sons of the Golden West: 
Fifty years ago a lonely herdsman looking over 
the (piet harbor of Yerba J>uena, watching the 
waves as they lazily drifted up to the shore, 
kissed the sand and then receded to the boson) 
of their mother, Ocean, watching the priests as 
they went about their ditferent tasks in the little 
mission, whilst over all shone the rays of an 
almost tropical sun, bathing the sand plains 
with its radiant splendor and glorifying the 
good fathers as they taught their little wards of 
the life which was beyond. 

To this watcher, statiding carelessly there in 
the sunshine, no dream of the future sjilcudur 
of that scene could come. Had you tolil him 
of a time but a few years distant, when thou- 
sands of men from all the nations of the earth 
would crowd u)mn that sand, he would have 
thought you mad, for what was there to cause 
this human floods . Nothing but vast sandy 
plains and the everlasting hills — mute monu- 
ments of the Creator's power — presented them- 
selves to the eye. Surely this was not a land 
that would tempt a man to leave the fertile hills 
and valleys of the East and l)rave all dangers to 
reach its barren shores. 



lIlsTonV (IF SdNOMA LUIUNTY. 



Trnly, tlie priests had come. For a hundred 
years their missions liad been planted on the 
coast and they had endured privation, suffering, 
yea, even deatli itself for the cause they held so 
dear; but the world was used to this sight. 
Where in ail the earth had the zeal oi" the holy 
fathers not carried them? No journey was too 
hard for them to attempt — ready at the word to 
<ro unto the ends of the world. The pages of 
h'story have rarely shown such perfect organiza- 
tion. Never such implicit obedience as they 
exhibited. «.\nd so the quiet life of the old 
missions ran on one day so like another that the 
riight of time was scarcely marked, save when 
some old father, weary with the burden of his 
years and the labor performed for the good of 
his fellow-men, failed to appear at morning 
prayers, and his brothers going to his cell would 
find that he had been called to his reward. 

I love to dwell on this phase of the old life 
of our native State. It presents a picture so 
quiet and restful that one living in the wild 
rush of the present can hardly realize that it 
is not all a dream. Amid the universal strife 
for personal advancement so prevalent in our 
day, we have but a dim light with which to dis- 
cern the nobler humanity that led the fathers 
of old to sacrifice their all for the good of their 
fellows. "What though the recipient of their 
life work was but an ignorant savage — lowest, 
we are told, of the entire human race? Enough 
for them to know that he had a soul to save. 
The world's truest heroes are not always those 
whose names are on every tongue, and to whom 
monuments of marble pierce the sky. In many 
a lowly grave in the old mission churchyard, 
with naught save a simple cross to mark the 
spot, lies, perhaps, a brave, true heart, who, 
having sacrificed liimself without a murmur for 
the welfare of his brethren, is more worthy of 
praise than a Napoleon. 

But we must away from the pleasant picture 
of California life under the Padres. Suflice that 
now it is forever dead, and whilst with reverent 
hands we draw the curtain over that calm past, 
we cannot fail to acknowledge what a noble 



lesson to poor weak humanity the life and works 
of the holy fathers have been. 

The history of California before the discovery 
of gold and settlement by Americans, resembles 
that of the South American liepublics of to-day. 
Ruled first by Spain and then b}' Ale.xico, 
California in turn revolted from each three 
times. The Mexican power was broken. In- 
deed, in 1836, the successful Governor, Alvarado, 
was aided by a Tennesseeaii named (xraham, 
who evinced, at an early day in the history of 
our State, the fondness Americans are said to 
have for politics. Alvarado re|.iaid his debt of 
gratitude to his friend by soon sending him, 
with others, in chains to San Bias, only to see 
them return in a few months much the better 
for their exile. 

California at this, as in former times, was 
ever ready for a revolution. As a rule no one 
w'as hurt, and it generally required only one 
shot, as at the capture of Monterey by Alva- 
rado, to establish the downfall of one governor 
and the succession of another. And so the life 
of the Californians went on, the population at 
this time being less than 15,000, mostly engaged 
in stock-raisincp. For the herds of cattle intro- 
duced by Governor Portal and Father Junipero 
Serra had increased to vast numbers and the 
trade in hides had become quite extensive, the 
Boston traders keeping two ships on the coast, 
thus enabling the native Californians to indulge 
their love of finery, which had hitherto been 
repressed. 

But a different race was now to appear upon 
the scene, and henceforth revolutions were to be 
something more than a name. Early in 18-16 
Fremont arrived upon the frontiers of Califor- 
nia, and, with his company of some sixty odd 
men, halted about 100 miles from Monterey. 
He then proceeded alone to that place to inter- 
view the Mexican General Castro, asking of 
him permission to proceed to the San Joaquin 
Valley, that he might there rest and recuperate 
his party, who were on their way to Oregon. 
The request was freely granted, but no sooner 
had Fremont departed than Castro began to stir 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



ii[> tlie Calit'urnians. Tlie c.\[)lorcrs were be- 
bicjjed for some four days near Monterey, but tlie 
Californians did not care to jiusli the iigliting, 
!-o at the end of tliis time Fi'einont and liis men 
took up tlieir route for Oregon. They were 
soon recalled, however, for the time liad at last 
arrived, vvlien California should come under the 
protection of the stars and sti'ipes. 

The (Tovernment at Washington had long 
cast eager glances westward, and on the 2d day 
of July, ISit), Commodore Sloat, on board tlie 
frigate Savannah, entered the harbor of Monte- 
rey. His position was a trying one, for if lie 
did not take possession of the country in the 
name of tlie United States, other powers might 
interfere. At the time the Sarannah left Ma- 
zatlan for Monterey, the English man-of-war 
C'lilliiKjiriioi/ t-Ailtid from San Bias for the same 
])ort. 

It was indeed a race between the Uiiitetl 
States and England on which perhaps depended 
the future of California. 

At this time Sloat did iKitknuw that war had 
lieen declared between the United States and 
Mexico, lie therefore hesitated to take a step 
which must provoke hostilities. 

Before this, indeed, the shock of war had 
been felt here on your own soil, and the bear 
flag had fluttered in the soft breezes of the 
Sonoma hills. 

This occasion, howexer, was ditl'erent; the 
power of the United States was about to Ije 
invoked and woe to those who dared its 
might. 

At last, on the 7th day of July, 181-f5, Com- 
modore Sloat raised the American Hag and de- 
clared California henceforth a part of the United 
States, and on the lOtli of the same month the 
stars and stripes reached Sonoma and were sub- 
stituted for the l)ear tiag, under which our 
fathers won their tirst victory. Much was still 
to be done ere the (juestiou was entirely settUnl, 
for Flores issued a prdclamation to the Califor- 
nians and gathered together some three hundred 
of them and made a last stand for independence. 
This emeute was soon tpielled, however, and the 



United States were in undisturbed possession of 
Uj)per California. 

In the spring ot 18-18 the treaty of peace.was 
ratified between our country and Mexico, and 
early in the following year came a great change 
to California. 

On the 19th day of January, 184:'J, James AV. 
Marshall, standing by a stream among the 
mountains of the present county of El Dorado, 
saw something glittering before him in the 
water. He gazes for a moment, then knows that 
it is gold, sought after through all ages. The 
secret is kept for a little time but soon gets 
abroad, and flies on the wings of the wind to the 
uttermost ends of the earth. Then commences 
to break upon our coast that great tide of hu- 
manity which flowing from all (piarters of the 
globe passed through the golden gate on to the 
golden shore. 

Never in the world's history has such a sight 
been presented as that which now broke upon 
the vision of the ipiiet inhabitants of California. 
The best and worst elements of the older civi- 
lization were set down on the sandy shore of 
the old mission Dolores, there to work out the 
eternal law of the survival of the fittest. 

The times were most auspicious for the 
bringing together of the bravest inanhood in 
this western world. The war with Mexico had 
closed and thousands of young men with the 
laurels of victory upon their brows and used to 
a life of adventure, were more than willing to 
risk their all in search of the hidden treasure 
concealed in the mountain fastnesses of the New 
El Dorado. 

There never was, there never can be a i)raver, 
truer race of men than those Argonauts, the 
pioneers of California, bound together as they 
were by no ordinary ties, far from home and 
kindred, with no family fireside around which 
to gather, with nothing to call forth the better 
side of man's nature, engaged as each man was 
in the wild search for gold, still their friendship 
was heroic in its trust and faithful unto death. 
And was it nut natural that it should be sn'. 
These men lunl encountered peril and danger 



ursroBY OF sonoma county. 



side l)y side, liad kept guard at midnight on the 
liarren phiins of Mexico and stood shoulder to 
slioulder at the attack on Monterey. A thou- 
sand times had they stood face to face with death 
and never quailed. Cemented by such ties, 
what wonder that there existed between these men 
a trust we can only imagine. The name of the 
pioneeis of California has ever been a synonym 
for all that was l)ravest and truest in manhood. 

At this time through all the broad land, from 
the Atlantic to the Mississippi, and from the 
Great Lakes to the Gulf, the cry was " West- 
ward-hol" Old and young alike spurred on by 
the hope of bettering their condition, left the 
(piiet steady life they had known so long and set 
forth with brave hearts for the new El Dorado. 
The sturdy jS'^ew England lad leaving his old 
home among the hills where he and his fathers 
before him had scarcely been alile to make both 
ends meet, went side by side with the college 
graduate fresh from the hills of Harvard. 
Whilst from the plantations of the South and 
from the farms of the then West came a human 
tide slowly forcing its way across the broad 
plains and over the ocean with bnt one thought, 
one dream, one aspiration — that of reaching 
California. How sad it is to realize that so few 
of all these countless thousands found the suc- 
cess they hoped for on these shores. 

I never cross the beautiful Bay of San Fran- 
cisco with its bright waters reflecting the rosy 
tints of the setting sun that my thoughts do not 
turn to the olden days, and looking out through 
the Golden Gate I can picture a gallant ship, 
with all sails set, slowly coming into port. Her 
sides are weather-stained with the hard usage 
she has encountered in beating around the Horn, 
and her passengers are more than weary with 
their months' of continement. Yet the smile 
of hope is on every face, for at last they are in 
sight of the long sought land. Then the eager 
wish to get ashore and into the mountains to 
search for gold. After that I ah! who can tell 
their fate! A few successful in their search, 
but the great majority going on fi-oni one place 
to another until at last they sink exhausted by 



the wayside, and the wife and children afar off 
in the little home on the rough New England 
hillside wait in vain for a step which never 
comes; for a voice that is silent forever; wait 
until even hope dies away and they know that 
their loved one is lost to them. 

And this was the sad fate of very many who, 
setting forth with the hope of procuring that 
which would gladden the hearts of the loved 
ones at home, found only a rough grave upon 
the mountain side, and the sleep which knows 
no waking. 

With the vast influx to this coast of Ameri- 
cans from all parts of the United States came a 
desire to secure the admission of California iuto 
the Union, but this was a favor more easily 
asked for than obtained. At the very threshold 
of Congress this ambition was met with that 
old question which had caused so much bitter- 
ness in the past and which was soon to bathe 
all the land in blood. Slavery stood in the way. 
It had long been the custom in order to main- 
tain a political balance of power for Congress to 
admit two States at the same time — one beluga 
slave State, the other free; but this was impos- 
sible at this time. No other State stood knock- 
ing at the doors of the National Capitol, and the 
question had to be squarely met. 

Attempts to give a territorial form of govern- 
ment to the new country acquired from Mexico 
had failed, three bills having such an object had 
been defeated in a previous session of Congress. 
And in 1848, Senator Douglas, of Illinois, in- 
troduced a bill admitting California into the 
Union. The battle waged long and violent, all 
the old passions were revived and sectional 
spirit ran as high as during the time of the 
Missouri Compromise or the Wilmot Proviso. 
Mr. Douglas did all that man could do, but the 
opposition was too strong, and after an all night 
session, on Sunday morning, March 4, 184rU, at 
7 o'clock, the Senate adjourned and California 
was still left without a State government. 

In the meantime the people of California had 
not been idle. When it became known that 
Congress had failed to grant any relief, General 



History op soNo.ua coi/Nry 



85 



Riley called upon the people to elect delegates 
to form a Constitution for the State. A conven- 
tion met for this purpose on the third day of 
Septeinhei-, 1849, at Montert'v, and was in ses- 
sion some six weeks evolving the first Constitu- 
tion of California. This was soon after ratified 
by the people, and in December, 1849, the first 
session of the Legislature met at San Jose. 

The question of the admission of California 
came before Congress again at its ne.\t session, 
and the fight was renewed with the same bitter- 
ness. Early in March her Senators and Repre- 
sentatives were in Washington, asking for 
admission to the councils of the nation. 

All summer the question engaged the giant 
minds in the Senate, and at times the issue 
seemed most doubtfhl, but at last the friends of 
the new State conquered, and on the 9th day of 
Septemlier, 1850, President Fillmore signed the 
bill admitting California into the Union. 

To-day we are gathered together to celebrate 
the thirty-fifth anniversary of our admission in- 
to the sisterhood of States. Standing in this 
presence, viewing all the grand accomplishments 
of these few j'ears, it is almost impossible for 
us to realize that it is jiot all a dream; for thirty- 
five years is as nothing in the life of a country, 
and what wonders has our fair State not seen? 
Fiom a few missions scattered along the coast 
have sprung a dozen cities, and the old Mission 
Dolores has grown to lie the empire city of the 
AVest, sitting secure upon her hills by the Gold- 
en Gate, proud mistress of the Pacific. To her 
has come trilmto fi'mn the Orient and through 
her gateway gn Inrth ships whose sails whiten 
every sea. ('(nild but the sjiirit of some old 
father revisit the scenes where he had worked in 
his little garden among the siind hills he would 
indeed thiid< that tiie age of miracles had come 
onee more. 

Where thirty-five years ago were a few scattei-ed 
ranches with herds of wild cattle running over 
the vast plains are now thriving towns and 
beautiful farms. In no other land has nature 
been so lavish in her gifts to the children of 
men. With us all climes seem to meet and 



blend, and the hardy pine of the northern 
woods whispers iieside the orange blossom of 
the south. 

We have often been ridiculed for boasting so 
much of our climate. Vet 1 am sure we are fully 
justified in the facts. Stretching as our State 
does for hundreds of miles along the coast, with 
its fine harl)ors, that of San Francisco one of 
the best in the world, and with a land capable 
of growing almost every product of the tem- 
perate and torrid zones — the past is but an 
earnest of what the future has in store for us. 
Great as has been our progress during the past 
thirty-five years, I look forward with a confi- 
dent hope of yet grander achievements. 

With all our vast resources scarcely un- 
touched, with great mines of wealth yet un- 
worked, thousands of acres of fertile soil 
uncultivated, needing only the hand of man to 
cause it to spring forth and to blossom like the 
rose, we as a people are not faithful to the great 
charge entrusted to us, if we are satisfied with 
the glory of the past and content with the work 
done by our fathers. It is our saci'ed duty to 
go forward in the the patli laid out for iis by 
the pioneers, building up the prosperity an<l 
greatness of the grand heritage they have left 
us. Our task is much easier than was theirs; 
our lives have fallen in pleasant places; for 
them the weary months of toil over barren 
wastes and burning sands, the battle and the 
siege; for us the pleasant groves and vineyards, 
the arts and civilizatitni, and the security of the 
law. 

Shall we be less faithful, enjoying as we do 
the fruits of their labor, than were they with 
war and death on every sid(>; I am sure I can 
answer for y<in, my brothers, when I say that you 
will use every possilile means which you jiossess 
to establish stronger the bulwarks of our beloved 
State; that you will see to it that no act of 
yours will ever stain the fair shield of ('alifor- 
nia; that accepting from your fathers as a sacred 
trust the honor of your State, yon will ever 
strive to jierpetiiate its glory through ail the 
future. 



HISTiiRY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



The years that are crowding fast upon us are 
full of responsiihilities. Whether we wish to 
or not there are grave ijuestiuns which must be 
met. Every day sees some old pioneer gathered 
to his reward, and the vast majority of them 
have already passed over the divide and rest on 
the other sliore. Tlie future of our State for 
weal or woe is in our hands, and there are prob- 
lems to be solved wliicli will require all our 
knowledge and courage. 

Though we are proud, as onh' those can be 
who live ujion their native soil, still there are 
elements within our State which must be 
checked if we desire to preserve untainted the 
liberty and equality which we have inherited. 

One of the great evils that lias grown up 
within our State is the vast power exercised by 
wealth. We are too prone in these latter days 
to worship the possessor of monej', caring little 
by what means it has been obtained. Let us 
rather return to the piineiples nf unr fathers, 
believing with tiiein that "an honest man is 
the noblest work of God;" for I fear they had 
a higlier standard by which to judge these 
things, and I believe old ways are best. 

With all our improvements in the past, with 
school-houses and churches on every hand, 1 do 
not know that we can boast of a higher tone of 
personal honor than that which existed among 
the rough and hardy pioneers who tirst landed 
on these shores. Then every .man's word was his 
bond, and to impugn a man'o truthfulness was 
cause enough for war. Now, 1 fear, we mistrust 
most men, and prone as the people are to be- 
lieve the worst, they iind themselves too often 
gratified. It is our duty to try and change 
these things. Let us prove that the high traits 
for which our fathers were justly praised, yet 
live in us, that honesty, integrity and manliness 
are not things of the past age, but exist now, 
and by our liel|) will continue through all the 
future. 

On an occasion of this kind, wlien our 
hearts are full of tender memories of the past, 
and our minds turn again to the golden days of 
boyhood, when life seemed all sunshine, and our 



highest dreams and aspirations were so quickly 
gratifie<l, ere we had learned the bitterness of 
defeat or the hollowness of victory — before we 
had drank of the cuj) of knowledge which 
brings sorrow, who of us, turning again to the 
sweet past, has failed to look for one form dearer 
than all others, the pioneer mothers of our State. 
Would that I had the eloquence with which to 
pay a fitting tribute to their memory — coming 
as they did across the desert plains and over 
thousands of miles of ocean, leaving behind 
them without a murmur all the comfort and re- 
finements of civilization, content to take their 
place beside the one tliey loved, and sufl'er all 
for his sake. Tiieir life work lies before us in 
the homes that are within our borders. 

Oh, firesides, dotting mountain, valley and 
plain, ye by your thousand voices bear testi- 
mony of the noble work and worth of the truest 
mothers of our State. A[ay God bless them to 
their latest day. 

Standing here to-day among the vine-clad 
hills of Sonoma, on ground rendered historic 
as being the place wliere the first blow was 
struck by Americans having for its object the 
Conquest of this fair land, almost in sight of 
the spot where the famous bear fiag fiuttered in 
the breezes of that summer day thirty-nine years 
ago, we are more than impressed with the vast 
evidences of jn'ogress tluit meet our view on 
every hand. Where once the mountain and 
hillside were covered by mighty forests inhab- 
ited by savage beasts or still more savage men, 
now we have the vine and the fruit tree, under 
the siiadow of which dwell the happy and con- 
tented liusbandman. 

The old pioneer, his life work almost finished, 
here rests and dreams of the stirring days of 
yore, happy in the knowledge that through his 
exertions this goodly heritage was secured and 
that his children's children will rise up and call 
him blessed. 

To the noble pioneers, California owes a debt 
of gratitude which can never be repaid. l'>y 
their efforts has she been placed within a few 
short years in a jiosition second to none in the 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COtTNTY. 



sister-liood of States. Situated as we are, upon 
the utmost western border of the Republic, far 
from the center of Federal authority, we have 
not received the same amount of comfort and 
assistance from the general government that our 
sister States have enjoyed. 

Yet our loyalt}' and love for our common 
country has never wavered in the past nor will 
it ever falter in the future. Each star in tlie 
flag is dear to our hearts and we are content to 
bide the time when we shall be better under- 
stood. Standing at the gateway of the East, 
with the manners, customs and civilization of an 
alien race, old when our world was born, menac- 
ing our homes and institutions, we have been 
forced to bar the way to this servile flood, tiiat 
we might protect our own flresides. To the 
rest of the world California bids a most liearty 
welcome. On our great fertile plains is room 
for all, with enough of food to All the hungry of 
other lands. 

To those sitting in the darkness of a despot- 
ism kejit alive by force in the old world, we 
oft'er all the blessings which liberty ever brings 
to its happy possessor. 

Founded, as this State was by men of every 
clime under heaven, we have absolutely no prej- 
udices, judging all by their works and making 
none responsible for the errors of his ancestors. 

With these blessings on every hand and with 
the vast resources of our soil, there is practically 
no limit to our possibilities as a people. A 
grand destiny awaits our State. May each of us 
be prepared to act well his part with lionor to 
himself and his fatherland. 

To you, ]iioneer fathers, we turn this day 
with hearts full of gratitude for the l)lessings 
you by ydur valor have conferred upon us. To 
those who having passed over the divide, look 
down upon us from the heiglits of eternal bliss, 
guide, we pray you, the destinj- of the State you 
loved so well. 

To others who are still with us, we wish all 
of hapi)iness and peace. May their last days be 
indeed tlieir best ones, and when the sun, for 
them, shall for the last time shed liis brilliant 



rays upon the land they lield so dear, may its 
declining light guide them safely into the eter- 
nal rest. 

And now to thee. Oh, California, l)rightest 
and purest star in all the galaxy to us, we, thy 
children, do on this day renew our fealty to thee. 
Loving thee as no other people can love thee, 
springing from thy bosom and nurtured on thy 
breast, we pledge our lives, our honors to the 
pi'eservation of thy liberty in all its pristine 
strength ! 

May he be greatest among us wlio does the 
most for thee. 

And through all the cycles of the ages, God 
grant that thy fair shield shall shine far out 
over the western waters in all its radiant splen- 
dor. 

At the close of this eloquent address, (ieorge 
Homer Meyer, the gifted Sonoma County Jioet, 
recited the following poem: 

THE KAISIXO OF THE FT.AOS. 

With the flag of all others we love and reveie. 

And whose stars float above us to-day, 
Let us blend the worn folds of the brave pioneer, 

While we wreathe it with laurel and bay. 
With the names of our father.s its colors entwine, 

And no shadow its history mars, 
And to-day do we hold it as fitting to shine, 

By the side of the Stripes and the Stars. 

Tho' all rugged and rude on that far-a-way morn 

Was the banner they lifted in air, 
Yet the deed marked the day when an Empire was 
born, 

For the voice of God's Freedom was there. 
And the hands that decreed that that Freedont should 
be, 

Were as rude witli their labor-worn scars 
As the ensign they raised — yet it flo.ated .la free, 

As the flag of the Stripes and the Stars. 

And then far to the south where the swift breezes jilay 

O'er the wave-broken face of the tide. 
O'er the crests of the seas with their wild locks ol 
spray, 

Lo ! two stately sea-warriors ride. 
And a banner blood-red from one lofty mast flows. 

With St. George's crossed, crimson-hued bars. 
While aflame in the .sunlight another tliere glows— 

The bright flag of the Stripes and the Stars. 

But sweet tidings have come to the chiefs o'er the sens, 
A dark glow as of joy lights theii eyes; 



IIIsniRY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Now like light is the canvas flung wide In the breeze, 

For a race, with an Empire the prize. 
And now strain every hallianl and bend every sail. 

And this day prove the strength of your spars — 
Sliall (he Cross and the Crown of proud England pre- 
vail, 

Or the flag of the Stripes and the Stars? 

Bnt one springs to the front — like a shaft from the bow 

Does she cleave thro' the billow3' spray, 
And the foam in her track, like the pathway of snow. 

O'er the wind driven sea marks her waj-. 
The wild waves lash her siiles till her masts liend and 
reel, 

And her mighty frame trembles and jars. 
Hut she rises erect on her iron shod keel. 

And above Hoats the Stripes and the Stars. 



And on, on ! ever on ! the wild sea rushes by, 

While the Briton comes following fast — 
And there, gleaming before them, the green valleys lie. 

For the wild race is ending at last. 
And now pause, ship of Britain, the contest is o'er, 

Lower down your vain canvas and spars, 
For there, rising in triumph above the green shore. 

Floats the flag of the Stripes and the Stars. 

And now speed the glad ti<lings away to the north. 

Let it fly on the winds of the air; 
To that camp in the hills let the knowledge go forth. 

To the true hearts awaiting it there. 
Let them lay their brave flag on the Altars of Fame, 

No dishonor its radiance mars. 
For unconqiiered it yields without shadow of shame, 

To the flag of the Stripes and the Stars. 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



89 



^^ 



|[if' l=flF='F='l='r=^ ^^r=Jr=]n 



-^'^ite^: 






Military and Political History. 




CIIAPTEIl IX. 



Sonoma under mit.itarv rule — General Hiley aitoints civil officers — a si-EfiMEN of how 

JUSTICE WAS ADMINISTERED A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION SoNOMa's FIRST ELECTION A 

CONTESTED SEAT IX THE Si'ATE SeNATE CALIFORNIA ADMITTED INTO THE UxiON THE MA- 

chixerv (if civil (idvkknment set in motion elections am) nl'mher of votes i'ollkd ix 

Sonoma district — ueoin to agitate countv seat kejioval — a vote taken on the <jdes. 
TioN IN 1854 — Santa Eosa declared the county seat — earlv court accommodations at 

the new county seat AN ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THE COUNTY SEAT FROM SaNIA KosA A 

FAILURE COUNTY BUILDINGS, ETC. 



^S|S yet, Califoriiia was under military rule 
.toI ^"'^ «iuite a garrison was maintained at 
'■^^(^ Sonoma. It was tiie head center of the 
northern frontier, and when the gold fields of 
California began to attract immigration it be- 
came a place of much business importance. As 
a military post it was honored with the presence 
of several otticers, who afterward achieved 
national renown, notable among whom were 
Joe Hooker, Phil Ivearney, afterward killed at 
Antietam; Ceneral Stone, (Tcncral Stoneman, 
afterward Governor of California; an<l J.ienten- 
ant Derby, author of the Squibob Papers. 

In 1849 (reneral Itiley was commandant on 
the Pacific coast, and appears to have had the 
power to appoint civil otticers; for in August of 
that year he issued a commission to Stephen 
Cooper as judge of the first district, and 
appointed C. J*. Wilkins prefect of the district 
of Sonoma. That the justice administered by 
the officers so appointed was both grim and 



swift is evidenced by tiie first record in Stephen 
Cooper's court, which is as follows: 

"The people of California Territory vs. 
George Palmer — And now comes the said people 
by right of their attorney, and the said defend- 
ant by Seinple and O'AIelveny, and the prisoner 
having been arraigned on the indictment 
in this cause plead not guilty. Therefore a 
jury was chosen, selected and sworn, when, after 
hearing the evidence and arguments of couhspI, 
returned into court the tbllowiiig verdict, to 
wit: 

"The jurymen in the case of Palmer, defend- 
ant, and the State of California, plaintiff, have 
found a verdict of guilty on both counts of the 
indictment, and sentence him to receive the 
following ])unishment, to wit: 

"On Saturday, the 24th day of November, to 
be conducted by the sheriff to some public 
])lace, ;uid there receive on his bare back seven- 
ty-live lashes, with such a weapon as'the sheriff 



90 



HISTORY (iF SnmiMA COUNT F. 



may deem fit, on each count respectively, and 
to be banished from tlie district of Sonoma 
within twelve lionrs after whipping, under the 
])enalty of receiving the same number of laslies 
for each and every day he remains in the dis- 
trict after the first whipping. 

"(Signed) Ai.exaniikk Riddlk, 

•' Foreman. 

'•It is therefore ordered l>y the court, in ac- 
cordance with the above verdict that tlie forego- 
ing sentence be carried into etfect." 

It may seem strange to the reader tiiat the 
jury ]ia8sed sentence, hut they could, and in 
case of grand larceny, a jury could pass sentence 
of death; as they did, vide Tanner vs. the 
people of the State of California, 2nd Col. Re- 
ports. 

As yet everything was in a chaotic fornuitive 
state. The civil authority related back to mili- 
tary authority. And yet the government seems 
to have been efficient and conducive to good 
order and justice. Tlie penalties imposed may 
n(j\v seem severe and even cruel, but we must 
remember that in taking up civilization where 
Mexican occupancy ended and American occu- 
pancy began perfection in either civil or crimi- 
nal practice would not be expected. There had 
to be a gradual shading up to a more advanced 
stage of civilization. In due time this came 
under the benign influence of American rule 
and the administration of American law. The 
whipping post as a punishment for petty crimes 
and the gallows. as the punishment for grand 
larceny marks the dividing line between Cali- 
fornia as a conquered province of Mexico, and a 
star in the galaxy of the States of the Union 
of the United States of America. If at first her 
justice was administered with a seemingly 
vigorous hand, it must be remembered that the 
civil and criminal authority related back to the 
military that ruled with the sword, the keen 
edge of which did not allow the gordian knots 
of law to impede the ends of swift and summary 
punishment for infractions of law. As seem- 
ingly severe as this administration of justice 
may seem to those of later days, it must liP 



borne in mind that the influx to California of a 
vast horde of gold-seekers, had precipitated upon 
this coast a people cosmopolitan in a degree 
never l)efore concentrated upon God's footstool; 
and nothing short of the most Vigorous methods 
of jurisprudence would meet the exigencies of 
the times. The interregnum between military 
and civil rule in California was a period fraught 
with many dangers to the weal of California, 
and it is a subject of congratulation that it was 
tided over with so few mistakes and errors. I'ut 
the military rule liad tilled its appointed office 
and the people came under the dominion of 
civil rule. 

California was now under the peaceful folds 
of the stars and stripes. On February 2, 184-8. 
a treaty of peace and friendship was formulated 
attTuadalupe Hidalgo; ratified by the President 
of the United States on March IG, 18-48; ex- 
changed at Queretaro, May 30, and was finally 
promulgated on the 4th of July ot the same 
year, by President Polk, and attested by Secre- 
tary of State, James lUielianan. In June, 1849, 
a proclamation was published calling an election 
to be held on the 1st of August, to elect dele- 
gates to a general convention to formulate a 
State constitution, and for filling the offices of 
judge of tlie superior court, prefects, sul)- 
prefects, and first alcalda as judge of the first 
instance, such appointments to be made by 
General Riley after being voted for. The 
Sonoma district elected as delegates to that con- 
vention General Yallejo, Joel Walker, R. 
Seniple and L. W. Boggs. The number of del- 
egates was fixed at thirty-seven, and they were 
to meet in convention at Monterey on the 1st 
of September, 184!l. 

The constitutional convention assembled at 
Monterey at the appointed time and R. Semjde, 
delegate from the Sonoma district, was chosen 
chairman. The session lasted six weeks. It 
seems to have been conducted with ability and 
decorum. A seal of the State was adopted with 
the motto " Eureka;'' a provision for the morals 
and education of the people of the State was 
made: the boundary (piestion between Califor- 



BISTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



nia and Mexico deteniiined, and last, but not 
least, slavery was forever proiiibited within the 
boundary of the State. 

The constitution so framed, was submitted to 
the people for ratitication at an election held on 
the 13th of November. At the same election 
State officers were to lie elected. Tlie vote for 
the constitution was 12,064 for, and eleven 
against its adoption. For State officers there 
were two tickets in the field, both called the 
peoples' ticket. The first was: for Governor, 
John A. Sutter; for Lieutenant-Governor, John 
McDougall ; for Representatives in Congi'ess, 
William E. Shannon, Peter Ilalsted. The 
second was: Peter H. Burnett, for Governor; 
for Lieutenant-Governer, John McDougall; for 
Representatives in Congress, Edward Gilbert and 
George W. Wright. The result of this election 
was: Peter Burnett, (Governor; John McDougall, 
Lieutenant-Governor; and Edward Gilbert and 
George W. Wright sent to Congress. The total 
vote polled by Sonoma district in this election 
was 552 votes, of which 424 were for Jiurnett. 
For the State Senate the contest was between 
General M. G. Yallejo and Jonas Spect, a Meth- 
odist clergyman, afterward a resident of Two 
Rock Valley foi' many years. At first Jonas 
Spect was given his seat on the claim that he 
had received a majority of the votes cast at a 
precinct somewhere in the district called " Lar- 
kin's Rancho." But it seems that Spect had 
reckoned without his host, for when authentic 
returns came in from Larkin's Ranch it proved 
that Yallejo had lieen elected by eighteen ma- 
jority, and Spect had to vacate his seat in favor 
of Vallejo. The duly elected Representatives to 
the Assembly from the district of Sonoma was 
J. E. Brackett and J. S. Bradford. On the 15th 
of December, 1849, this, the first legislative 
body convened un<ler American rule, assembled 
at the Pueblo de San Jose, and the senate organ- 
ized with Mr. Cambcrlin as president pro tern., 
and John Bidwell as temporary secretary. The 
assembly organized with Mr. Walthall as chair- 
man /*/v) fern., and Mr. Moorchead as clerk pro 
tiHi. riio first session of the Legislature \ipon 



which was devolved the task of setting in 
motioTi the wheels of civil government had a 
difficult and intricate task to perform. It dis- 
charged its duties as well as could lie expected 
considering the multiform and intricate ques- 
tions pressed upon its considei'ation. At this 
session Robert Hopkins was appointed district 
judge of the district of which Sonoma County 
was a part, and J. E. Brackett Major-General of 
the second division of militia. Petaluma and 
Scmoma Creeks were also declared navigalde 
streams. Throughout the proceedings of this 
first legislative body of California seems to 
have been harmonious, except that there was 
apparent some friction over the charactei- of 
memorial to be sent to Congress asking for ad- 
mission into the sisterhood of States. The bone 
of contention was that clause of the constitution 
prohibiting slavery. This led to much acri- 
monious discussion and resulted in the rejection 
of all the florid addresses intended as accom- 
paniments to the constitution, to be submitted 
to Congress for ratification. 

The Legislature proceeded to divide the Ter- 
ritory into counties. The act sub-dividing into 
counties and establishing, seats of justice therein 
was finally passed and confirmed on the 25th of 
April, 1851, fixing the boundaries of Sonoma 
County as follows: 

" Beginning on the sea-coast, at the mouth 
of Russian River, and following up the middle 
of said river to its source in the range of moun- 
tains called Moyaemas; thence in a direct line 
to the northwestern corner of Napa County to 
its termination in ('amero Mountains; thence 
in a direct line to the nearest point of Camero 
Creek; thence down said creek to its entrance 
into Napa River; thence down the middle of 
Napa River to its mouth, excluding the island 
called Signor, or Mare Island; thence due south 
to the north line of Contra Costa County; thence 
down the middle of said bay to the corner of 
Marin County; thence following the boundary 
of IVIarin County to Petaluma Creek; thence up 
said ciTfk, following the boundary of Afarin 
Connt\ to the ocean, and thi'ee miles Therein; 



insTiiRY oF soNoMA diVNTY. 



thence in a northerly direction parallel with the 
coast to a point opposite the mouth of Russian 
River, and thence to said river, wliich was the 
place of heginning." If we take a map and 
follow the meanderings df this boundary we 
will find it very dissimihir to the present boun- 
daries of Sonoma Oounty. Sonoma was desig- 
nare<l as the seat uf county government. Pro- 
vision was made for a court consisting of a 
county judge, to be assisted in his deliberations 
by two justices of the peace, they to be cliosen 
by their brother justices from out of the whole 
number elected for the county. This court had 
great latitude of jurisdiction, for, aside from 
passing upon matters civil and criminal, it also 
discharged, substantially, all the functions now 
belonging to a county lioard of supervisors. 
The regular terms of this court were to com- 
mence on the second Monday of February, 
April, June, August, October and December, 
with quarterly sessions on the third Monday of 
February, May, August and November of each 
year. 

On the lull of September, 1850, California 
was admitted into the Union as a State. The 
first regular State Legislature assembled at San 
Jose on January 6, 1851. The Eleventh Sena- 
torial District then embraced the counties of 
Sonoma, S(dano, Napa, Marin, Colusa, Yolo, 
and Trinity, and was represented in the Senate 
by Martin E. Cook; while Sonoma, in conjunc- 
tion with Marin, Napa and Solano counties was 
represented in the Assembly by A. Stearns and 
John A. Bradford. 

There had l)een established a court of sessions 
at Sonoma with A. A. Oreen as County Judge 
and Charles Hudspeth and Refer Campbell as 
Associates. Judge Green died in 1851, and W- 
O. King was chosen to till his place. In Novem- 
l)er of that year C. R. Wilkins was elected 
County Judge, Israel I'rockman was sheriff 
and Dr. John llendley was county clerk and 
recorder. 

In July of 1852 Refer Campbell and J. M. 
Miller were associate justices on the bench 
with Judyc Wilkins: ami on the 3il of October 



they were superseded by A. C (iodwin and 
Phil. R. Thompson. The first Board of Super- 
visors for the county convened on July 5, 1852, 
at Sonoma, and took charge of county affairs 
not coming within tlie jurisdiction of the court 
of sessions. The members were D. O. Shat- 
tuck; William A. Hereford, of Santa Rosa Dis- 
trict, and Leonard I'. Hansen and James Sing- 
ley of Retalunm District. I). ( ). Shattuck was 
made Chairman of the Board. 

A* the Rresidential election, the fall of 1852, 
E. W. McKinstry was elected District Judge of 
this district, and J. M. Hudspeth, Senator, and 
H. S. Ewingand James McKamy, assemblymen. 
As an inspiration to the young men of Sonoma 
County of the future, not to despise the humlde 
vocations of life, we here mention that Joe 
Hooker, the afterward celebrated "Fighting Joe 
Hooker" of the civil war, was elected to and 
filled the position of road-master in Sonoma 
road district, in the year of grace, 185H. 

In 1852 Sonoma County played so little of a 
conspicuous figure in politics that we find no 
record of its attitude on the great national ques- 
tions of the day. It was then Whig and Dem- 
ocrat, but we find notlnng to show iiow the vote 
stood between Rierce and tiie hero of " Lundy's 
Lane," but judging from tiie complexion of the 
then population of Sonoma County, the vote 
was in favor of Rierce. 

In 1853 the Democratic convention which 
met at Santa Rosa nominated Joe Hooker an<l 
Lindsay Carson for the assembly, and a fuU 
county ticket. The Settlers' convention met on 
Aueust fith and nominated a full ticket, headed 
by James N. Bennett and Judge Robert Hop- 
kins for the assembly. It was a tie vote be- 
tween Bennett and Hooker. On the second 
election to decide this tie vote the removal of the 
county seat from Sonoma to Santa Rosa became 
a direct issue. Tiie election came off on Octo- 
ber 9, and Bennett, who lived and was sponsor 
for P.ennett Yalley, beat Hooker, a resident of 
Sonoma, l)y thirteen majority. Lindsay Carson 
having declined the election to tlie assembly a 
new election was called to fill the vacancy on 



HISTORT OP SONOMA GOdNTY. 



93 



the 23(1 uf December. Tlic candidates were W. 
J], llagiuit;, James Siiii;;lcy and Joseph W. Bel- 
den, and resulted in the election of AV. H. 
llagans. 

Ilitlierto we have had to grupe amid the im- 
pertect and defaced written records of Sonoma 
to rind the political history of the county. In 
September, 1855, there was a State and county 
election held. The AVhio- jiarty had subsitled 
and the contest was a straight one on the State 
ticket between the Democratic and Ameuican 
parties. The candidates for Governor were 
Rigler, Democratic, and Johnson, American. 
In Sonoma County Rigler received 988 votes 
and Johnson 892. In the county contest tlie 
tickets were Democratic and Settler. The Set- 
tler's ticket was elected from top to l^ottom. At 
this election was submitted the proposition 
"Prohibitory Liquor Law yes, and Prohibitory 
Liquor Law no,'' and the vote stood, yes, 591; 
and no, 676. The total vote polled in Sonoma 
and Mendocino counties at this election was 
1,896. 

As stated aliuve, the contest in 1853, between 
Joe Hooker and Bennett hinged upon the pro- 
posed removal of the county seat from Sonoma 
to Santa Rosa. This became a leading question 
in the political issues of the county. To give 
the reader a correct idea of the whole subject 
we cannot better do so than by incorporating 
here the whole history in connection with the 
county seat removal as lelated by R. A. Thomp- 
son in his excellent history of Santa Rosa Town- 
ship. It is as follows: 

" In the year of 1850, in the town of Sonoma, 
the county occupied a building owned by II. A. 
(Trreen, County Judge. The Court of Sessions 
then transacted the i)usini;ss of the county, now 
entrusted to the iJoard of Supervisors. The 
(Jourt consisted of the County Judge and a 
n\iinbcr of Associate Justices. At the time of 
which I write the meinbers^of the court were 
II. A. (4reen, County Judge, J*. Campbell and 
Charles Hudspeth, associates. On the I8th of 
March, 1850, H. A. Green presents iiis bill to 
his own court for rent of building for court- 



house, from the 20th of May to the 20th of 
Septenil)er, 1850 — four months, at .S125 jicr 
month — S500. The bill was allowed, and wa.s 
the lirst transaction of any kind regai'ding a 
court house. 

"On the iS'h of February, 1850, the Court 
made the rollowing oixlei', in the matter of pur- 
chasing a court-house: 'The (-ourt having con- 
sidered the expense accruing to the county 
annually, foi' rent of a court-house and offices, 
are of the opinion that it would be a saving to 
the county to ])urchase a house already built, 
and recommend the same to be taken into con- 
sideration as soon as possible. 

" At the next meeting, in March, Peter Camp- 
bell and Charles Hudspeth were appointed by the 
court to buy or erect a suitable building for a court- 
house, jail, otKces, etc. At tlio following meet- 
ing this order was rescinded, and John Cameron 
and A. C. McDonald were appointed in their 
stead. They reported at once, and recommended, 
quite innocently, the purchase of Judge Green's 
house, as, of course, was anticipated, for $5,500, 
to be paid for in seven warrants, three for iJioOO 
and four for $1,000 each, to bear 3 per cent, 
interest per month until paid. The court ac- 
cepted the report — generously, liowever, reduc- 
ing the interest to 2^ per cent, per month. 
Judge Green made a deed, and the county took 
possession of the old ' casa. dc tidohe^ (juurters. 
The interest ran up more than the rent, and was 
never paid; nor was the principal until long 
after the death of Mr. Green. The board of 
supervisors succeeded the court of sessions, and 
they considered it very (piestioiiable whether 
there was any law whatever for the purchase, 
and payment hung lire for a long time, but it 
was eventually paid, as will be seen. The county 
occupied this l)uilding until it left Sonoma. 

" In March, 1854, the bill authorizing a vote 
upon the question of removal of county seat 
passed the Legislature. It was introduced on 
the 18th of April, was approved on the 19th 
and became a law. It was entitled • An act to 
locate the county seat of Soimma." It jirovided 
for three commissioners, who were luimed in the 



94 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



liill: Charles Loper and Gilbert R. Brusli, of 
Maiiii Cuiiiity, and James McNear, of Napa, to 
locate anew the county seat of yonoma. Section 
second provided that the commissioners should 
locate the county seat ' a?; near the geograpiiical 
center of tiie valley portion, or agricultural por- 
tion of said county, as practicable, having due 
regard to ail local advantages in the selection of 
the site." 

" The commissioners wer€ to notify the su- 
pervisors of their selection, and the supervisors 
were to certify the same to tlie county judge, 
and the judge was directed to give notice to the 
(qualified electors of the county to vote foi- or 
against the new county seat at the following 
general election, li' a majority voted for tiie 
new county seat, the board were directed to re- 
move the archives to Santa Rosa and provide 
the requisite county buildings; if against the 
new county seat, then it should remain in 
Sonoma. 

"The contest for removal actually Ijcgan a 
year ijeforc in the race between Joe Hooker and 
J. AV. Bennett for the Legislature. In Santa 
Rosa Bennett received eighty-four votes to 
Hooker's two. Tlu; (piestion of removal gave 
him almost a solid vote, though- it was not 
publicly mentioned, lie carrieil the county by 
a majority of twenty-two votes. 

•• The Sonoma Bulletin,, then edited by that 
pioneer journalist, A. J. Cox, very warndy ad- 
vocated Mr. Hooker's election, and up to this 
date, in his admirably edited paper, had no 
reference to the removal of the county seat, 
though he must have thought about it. 

'•The grand jury, on the 7th of February, 
1854, condemned the old court-house — which 
they called ' an old dilapidated adobe of small 
dimensions, in part rootless and unlit for a cattle 
shed.' They say it had cost !«9,0U(), of which 
§3,000 had been paid and ^HOOO was still 
claimed. 

"Next week the Bulletin said, editorially: 
• The old court-house is about being deserted, 
and high time it should be, unless our worthy 
officers of the law would run the risk of being 



crushed beneath a mass of mud and shingles, 
for we really believe it will cave in the next 
heavy rain.' 

"AVhen it was known in Sonoma that Mr. 
Bei.nett's bill had been introduced, the Bulletin 
of Api-il 8, 1854, under head of ' Removal of 
County Seat,' said: 'Our representatives at Sac- 
ramento, hitherto inert and dumb, have at 
length bestirred themselves to action — some- 
thing to save appearances at the close of the 
session. This effort to do something, however, 
reminds our citizens that they are represented 
at the capital -a circumstance they had long 
since forgotten. The first intimation we had of 
the peoj)le' ft desire to remove the county seat 
from Sononui to Santa Rosa was through the 
legislative proceedings of March 28th, which 
inform us that the bill ha<l been introduced and 
passed for that purpose. From what source did 
our representatives derive the information that 
a change was demanded by our people? In the 
name of a large body of their constituents we 
protest against the measure as premature, un- 
authorized and impolitic. The county cannot 
even repair the miserable building, and theoidy 
one it possesses; how then can it bear the ex- 
pense of erecting new ones? Perhaps the 
Sonoma delegation can perform a financial 
miracle.' 

"The session of the Legislature was drawing 
to a close, and there was no time to compass the 
defeat of the bill, hence the rather bitter tone 
of the above editorial. 

" In its issue of August 19th the Bulletin 
said: 'The removal of the county seat claims a 
large share of public interest. Will it be trans- 
ferred from Sonoma to Santa Rosa? Of course 
that can only be positively known when the 
ballots for and against the new county seat arc 
counted. J udging from what we call popular 
opinion of the matter, Santa Rosa has but a 
slim chance of success, although every one con- 
siders it a pretty little town, and located in a 
pretty spot.' Oue of the editor's arguments 
against removal was that if the county should 
be divided, Santa Rosa would l)e as extreme as 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Sonoma now is, and, like our famous State capi- 
tal, the county seat would have to ' roll its bones 
elsewhere." 

" The election took place on the tith of Sep- 
tember, as advertised, and the vote stood as 
t'oliows: for Santa Rosa, 716; for Sonoma, ot)8. 

" On tiie 14th day of the same month the 
editor of the BuUi'tin announces the vote as 
follows: 'The county seat — that's a gone or 
going case from Sonoma. The uji-country peo- 
ple battled furiously against us, and have come 
out victorious. B3' the way, the people of Santa 
Rosa, after being satisfied of their success, tired 
one hundred guns in honor of the event; that 
is an anvil supplied the place of a cannon, 
which was let oft" 100 times. A great country 
this, whether fenced in or not.' 

"The board of supervisors met in Sonoma on 
the 18th day of September as a board of can- 
vassers, and declared the above result. \i the 
same meeting they agreed to convene in Santa 
Rosa September 20th, for the purpose of pro- 
viding the necessary buildings for the different 
county officers, and for transacting any otlie 
business pertaining to tlie new county seat. 

"The district attorney was requested to ac- 
company the boa d on September 20th. A. 
Copeland,lI. G. Heald, R. E. Smith and Stephen 
L. Fowder, constituting a majority of the board 
of supervisors, met for the first time in Santa 
Rosa. Supervisor R. E. Smith was chairman of 
the Itoai'd. 

"Julio Carrillo, V. G. llahman, Herthold 
Iloen and W. P. Hartinaii appeared before the 
board, they being proprietors of the town of 
Santa Rosa, and agreed to furnish free of rent 
three rooms in the house owned and occupied by 
Julio Carrillo (now ex-Mayor James P. Clark's 
residence), to be used by the sheriff', clerk and 
treasurer until other buildings were provided. 
They also agreed that by the 3d day of Novem-. 
ber, 1854, they would have a court-house and 
suitable rooms for county officers, said building 
to be the property of the County of Sonoma for 
one year gratis. A bond to carry out this 
agreement was given. 



"The board then clinched tlie removal, and 
fixed the county seat in its new location by the 
following order, which was placed upon the 
minutes: 

" ' It is hereby certified that at an election 
held in the County of Sonoma on the fith day 
of September, 1854, in pursuance of an act of 
the Legislature entitled 'An act to locate the 
county seat of Sonoma County anew,' the new 
county seat received 716 votes, having a major- 
ity of the votes cast at said election. Now, 
therefore, know that the town of Santa Rosa is 
hereby declared to be the county seat of Sonoma 
County.' 

" Supervisor Stephen E. Fowler offered the 
following: 

'•^ Ii'esidra/, l!y order of the lioaril of super- 
visors of Sonoma County, that the archives v\' 
said county be moved from the city of Sonoma 
to the town of Santa Rosa, by order of the 
board declared to be the county seat of Sonoma 
County on September 22, 1854.' 

"When the archives were finally taken the 
irrepressibly witty Sonoma editor gets off the 
following: Departed. — Last Friday the county 
officei's with the archives left town for tiie new 
capitol amidst the exulting grin of some, and 
silent disapproval (frowning visages) of others. 
We are only sorry they did not take the court- 
house along — not because it would be an orna- 
ment to Santa Rosa, but because its removal 
would have embellished our plaza. Alasl old 
^ caiid de ddohc.' No more do we see county 
lawyers and loafers in general, lazily engaged in 
the laudable effort of whittling asunder the 
veranda-posts — which, by the way, recpiired but 
little more to bring the whole fabric to the 
ground. Xo more shall we hear within and 
around it lengthy, logical political discussions, 
upon which were supposed to hang the fate of 
the world. The court-house is deserteil, like 
some old feudal castle, only tenanted, perhaps, 
by bats, rats and Heas. Li the classic language 
of no one in particular, ' Let 'er rip.' 

"At the first meeting of the lioard District 
Attorney McNair put in a l>ill for $250, for 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



iielt)ing the siijiervisors tu get legally out of 
80110111a; he was allowed slUO. Tlie hoard 
thought they did must of the work — at least 
two-thirds of it. Jiin Williamson modestly put 
in a hill of $10, for getting away with the 
records, which was allowed, without a groan, as 
it ought to have heen. 

"The first said about a jail was December 
13, 1855, when Supervisor Harrison, of Geyser- 
ville, proposed to cast about for plans; the 
matter was laid over. 

•' The editor of the Bullitin. visited Santa 
Rosa in October, a month after the removal, 
and it is pleasant to know how it a])pears 
to one so capable of estimating it. Mr. Cox 
says: ' Our friends at Santa Rosa are displaying 
considerable energy in building np the town. 
We notice, among other evidences of enterprise, 
the partial erection of a court-house. It is a 
pretty building, and. though seemingly small to 
those accustomed to the palatial four-story edi- 
fices of Sonoma, is suthcieutly large for the pur- 
pose. The citizens of the town certainly possess, 
in an eminent degree, the great ingredients of 
success, industry and enterprise.' This is a 
handsome tribute to the early Santa Rosans. 

" The next reference to the subject appears 
November 30th, in which it is stated that 
> .ludge McKinstry has decided the mandamus 
to remove the county seat in favor of Santa 
Rosa. Citizens, let the question repose." 

"On Tuesday, October 2d, 1854, the Court 
of Sessions, Judge Frank W. Shattuck presid- 
ing, met for the first time, in the old Masonic 
Hall, opposite the Santa Rosa House. Judge 
I*. R. Thompson and James Prewett were 
elected Associate Justices. If his Honor, the 
presiding Judge, did not make a joke on the 
novelty of the situation, then he was less witty 
as a ' wise young Judge ' than he now^ is as the 
editor of the Petaluma Courier. 

" Iloen, Ilahinan and Carrillo, it will be re- 
membered, had given bonds to the Board, that 
they would have a building suitable for the pur- 
poses of the county ready by the 3d day of 
J^ovember. This building, which stood on the 



ground now occupied by C. D. Frazee's drug 
store, on Fourth street, near the corner of Meii- 
\ docino, was rapidly pushed, and was finished in 
December. The IJoard had to furnish it, and 
the following funny order aj)pears upon the 
minutes on the 12tli day of December, 1854: 

•• ' It is ordered that the clerk be authorized to 
receive sealed proposals for the construction of 
twelve benches for the court-room, seven and 
one-half feet long, and to be made of two-inch 
stuff, and fourteen inches wide, with strong 
backs to them, and the clerk be authorized to 
I set up for sealed proposals, to be delivered on 
the 26th inst.' 

" Whether the clerk ' set up ' all night to 
receive these proposals is not anywhere stated. 

"This temporary court-house moved down 
Fourth street in 1875, to make room for im- 
provements. It was mounted on two trucks, 
drawn by a big, six mule team. The mules 
stuck with it, just oj^posite the recorder's ofKce, 
on Fourth street, and it was pulled out by four 
little, half-breed mustangs, belonging to James 
Shaw\ of the Guilicos Valley, all of which is 
facetiously related by the chroniclers of that 
day. 

"The clerk was, at this December meeting of 
the Roard of Supervisors, authorized to receive 
deeds from Julio Carrillo for lots 406 and 407, 
upon which the court-house now stands. The 
lots donated by Ilahman and Iloen were sold at 
auction, and were purchased by Mr. Iloen, the 
original owMier. 

"On the 27th of Deceinljer II. V. MuUison 
was ordered to make a plan of the jail by June 
8th, 1855. The Board took no further steps in 
the matter until that time, when they deter- 
mined to build both court-house and jail. The 
plan of D. II. Huston was adopted, for which he 
was paid $150, and the lower story of the pres- 
ent court-house, not including sheriff's office, 
jail or Judge's chambers, was contracted for 
with James M. Philips; the building was to be 
set on the lots 406 and 407, deeded to the county 
by Julio Carrillo. 

"In iS'ovember, 1855. H. A. Green's execii- 



HISTORY OP SONOMA (JOUNTY. 



97 



tors presented a bill for the old Sonuma two- 
iind-a-l)alf-per-ceiit-a-inouth-adol)e, aiiiouiitiiig 
to .<^10,843. The Board did not see it as the 
executor did — they finally offered !t^3,250 to 
settle the claim; it was accepted. The Hoard 
offered the old seat of justice, ' Casa de Adobe," 
for sale, and it was purchased by the Sonoma 
Lodge, I. C). U. F., No. 27, for their hall. The 
erection of a one-story court-house and jail 
was going on during the summer and tall of 
1S55. A >pecial meeting of tlie l>oard was 
calKil to receive it December 28, 1855. They 
met, but would not receive the building, on the 
ground that it was not built in accordance with 
])lans and specilications. Uoth sides got mad. 
The IJoard offered $7,000 to settle, which was 
promptly refused. On the 8th of February, 
1855, the F)oard went up to !B10,400, which was 
accej)ted by the contractor, and the county took 
possession of tlie premises. On the Gtli of 
March Judge W. Clmrchman, J. A. lieynolds, 
A. C. niedsoe and D. McDonald were appointed 
a cumniittcc to furnish the building at an ex- 
pense of .i;l,OOU. A. further appropriation of 
!r^500, for tlie same purpose, was made. Total 
cost of building, ^14,400; and furnishing, 
!?1,500. 

'• After this there was no more court-house 
trouble for four years, when it broke out again, 
the same old cry — more room; same trouble in 
getting plans, and same coniplications in settling 
with contractors was to follow, but all this was 
in the, then, future. The proposition this time 
was, as the saihjrs would say, to put an ' upper 
deck" on the one-story court-house of 1855, and 
attacli a jail and hospital as tender. It was 
ordered to be done on the 12th of May, 1851*. 
Uids were received on the 14th day of June, 
185U. Tiie contract was let to Mr. i'hilips and 
Joseph Nouges; Samuel West was ajjpointcd 
sujicrintcndent; tiie contract price was .^^15,000. 
The building was to be completed by Christmas; 
that ))ortion over the jail was originally in- 
tended for a iiospital. The work pi-ogresseil 
iluring the summer of 1859. On the 19th of 
November the Board made an order that, after- 



ward put tliLMH to much trouble; it was as fol- 
lows: 

" 'That the superintendent of construction of 
public buildings, Samuel AVest, be empowered 
to make such changes in j)lan of jail and court- 
house as in his judgment is necessary, having 
in view the best interests of the county." 
Under this order radical changes were made. 

'•The Work was finished in January, 1800, and 
a special meeting of the Hoard was calleil to re- 
ceive the building and settle with contractors. 

'•The contractors furnished the following bill : 

Original lontiatt $1.5,000 00 

Charges extra 25,891 3:J 



By county lu-ilers received iJllT.OOO 

Work not done I,8l:j- 



.f40,S!ll -l-.i 
18,813 00 



liahince due uontrai-tors $22,078 33 

" The Ijoard could not settle, and John I). 
Grant, II. R. Leonard and Volney E. Howard 
were selected to arbitrate. A large number of 
witnesses were called, and finally the sum of 
!r;6,000 was awarded to the contractors — making 
$26,500 paid contractors in all. Cost of arbi- 
tration, paid by county, $1,(501; salary of Super- 
intendent West, $1,200. Total cost of building, 
$29,601.30. 

" The building was occupied in ISliO, and all 
seemed well. lUit the Santa Kosans had hardly 
got througli admiring the blindfolded statue of 
Justice with equal scales, which surmounted the 
new court-house, when they found they had 
something to occupy them much nearer • terra 
firnia." 

'• The question of removing the county seat 
always breaks out when there is any change 
made in the court-house. The trouble with the 
contractors and the expense of the improve- 
ments brought on a violent attack of this sym- 
pathetic disease. Hefore the Santa IJosans 
knew it they were face to face with the same 
issue they had formerly made witli the good 
j)eople of the town of Sonoma. 

"Hon. Henry Edgerton introtlucedabill in the 
Legislature of 1861, in A])ril, providing that 
tlie question of removing the county seat of 



HISTUltY OF av^OMA U0U2iTY 



Sonoma should be voted on at the next general 
election. He put it through under whip and 
spur, and the Santa Ilosans were put upon the 
defense for their right to the new c-ourt-house, 
after all their trouble in building it. They met 
the issue fairly and squarely, and on the Ith 
day of Septeniljer their title to the county seat 
was again clinelied by a direct and decisive vote 
of the people. If the Santa Kosans had been at 
all alarmed, the .-e(|\iel to this agitation proved 
that they had no occasion to be so, as the tabu- 
lated vote upon the question will show: for re- 
moval, 814; against removal, 1,632. 

" For twenty years after this verdict there was 
no further county seat agitation. 

" In 1866 a new roof was put un the court- 
house, and it was plastered on the outside, at a 
total cost of $2,600. In 1867 the jail was re- 
built and improvements were made at a cost of 
.f8,'J99. Total cost of building, with furniture, 
about $60,000. Tiie old structure was recently 
sold for $26,000, which leaves the net cost of 
the court-house to the t-ounty $34,000. 

" The first district judge of Sonoma County 
Avas Jiobert Hopkins. He was practicing law 
in Sonoma in 184n. when the Legislature met 
in San Jose. There was a movement on foot to 
attach the Valley of Sonoma to Napa County. 
The citizens of Sonoma sent the Hon. George 
Pearce and Mi-. Hopkins as a committee to 
countci-act this scheme. AVhen they got to San 
Jose they found that the Legislature was about 
to appoint a district judge for the district who 
was a non-resident. Mr. I^earce proposed his 
colleague Mr. Hopkins on the committee, 
and had him appointed ti) the ottice. They 
returned home, having accomplished their object 
and also securing the appointment of district 

"The Hon. E. W. McKinstry succeeded Mr. 
Hopkins. He served a number of years, and is 
now a distinguished member of the Supreme 
Court of the State of California. 

"Judge J. B. Southard succeeded Judge Mc- 
Kinstry, and he was followed by Judge \V. C. 
Wallace and Jackson Temple. The superior 



judges succeeded under the new constitution 
to the jurisdiction of the district judges." 

Under the new organization of the court 
Jackson Temple and John (r. Pj-essley occupied 
the bench. Judge Temple having been elected 
one of the Supreme Judges of the State, Thomas 
Rutledge was appointed to fill the vacancy. At 
the election of 1888 S. K. Donglierty was 
elected to that position and now, with J. C 
Pressley, discharges the duties of that court. 

Lender the old county judge system we tind 
that the following named gentlemen served in 
that position in the order in which they are 
named: II. A. Green, Charles P. AVilkins, J. E. 
McNair, Frank Shattuck, P. R. Thompson, 
"William Churman, C. AV. Langdon, A. P. 
Overton and John G. Pressley. 

Sonoma County had so increased in popula- 
tion and wealth that all saw and admitted that 
her county buildings were inadequate to the 
county's need. .Vfter the usual amount of fric- 
tion and sparring about location and cost of 
court-house, the plaza of Santa Ilosa was selected 
as the site and the cost of building was fixed 
not to exceed $80,000. This was in 1883. Bids 
for constructing the building were advertised 
for, and the contract finally awarded to ]\[essrs. 
Carle ct Croly, at $80,000, with the condition 
that the building was to be cDinpleted by the 
1st of Januar}', 1885. ( >n the 7th of May, 1884, 
the corner-stone of this edifice was laid, with im^ 
posing ceremonies, and in due time reached com- 
pletion. It is ornate in appearance, and a credit 
to the people of Sonoma County. The building is 
classic in design and built jarincipally of stone, 
brick and iron. Its form approximates the 
(xreek cross with projecting center (^and flanks), 
having a dome. The building has four peudi- 
ments, each surmounted by a figure of the God- 
dess of Justice. The dome is topped with a 
figure of Minerva. It will measure 107 by 
115 feet, exclusive of porticoes, stairs and all 
other projections; besides the basement and 
dome, it is two full stories in height. Base- 
ment 12 feet, first story 15 feet, court-rooms 
in second story 22 feet, all other rooms in upper 



■'^ijisci 







lor\orr\a ^our\ty (^oupt J1o\j§q 



L.ofC. 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNT F. 



story lU feet, and comprises business and ju- 
dicial apartments for the entire county govern- 
ment. The approaches to the first story of the 
building are granite staircases and !~teps 2i feet 
in width; these land in porticoes laid in Mosaic. 
Tiien cume the grand entrances into the corri- 
.iurs li by 112 feet. 

On the left are the clerk's otiices, one 21 
feet 3 inches by 53 feet 8 inches; the other 20 
I'cct 7 inches by '2U feet 8 inches, connected 
t(.)getht'r by an archway; ne.\t the supervisors, 
room 21 feet 3 inches by 38 feet, also connected 
with clerk's room; on the right the recorder's 
offices, 21 feet 3 inches by 73 feet 9 inches, and 

20 feet 7 inches by 29 feet 3 inches; the Super- 
intendent of public instruction's room, 18 feet 
(i inches by 21 feet 3 inciies; the grand jury 
room, 21 feet inciies by 21 feet 3 inches; stair- 
case leading to court-rooms and offices above, and 
also to the basement. In the upper story are two 
Superior Court rooms, one 38 feet 4 inches by 
59 feet 4 inches, and one 36 feet 8 inches by 54 
feet, two judges' chambers 14 feet 10 inciies 
by 20 feet 11 inches, two jury rooms 14 feet 

10 inches by 20 feet 11 inches, each connected 
with the court-rooms; district attorney's rooms 

21 feet 7 inches by 27 feet 2 inches, and 15 feet 

11 inches by 19 feet (> inches; hall and stairways 
19 by 43 feet; janitor's rooms and stairway 
leading to dome 15 feet 9 inches by 19 feet; 
this staircase leads to attic, thence a spiral stair- 
case to upper section of dome; the dome is 127 
I'ect hitih from the grade line of Fourth street; 
in the basement is the sheriff's rooms 21 feet 3 
inches by 35 feet 5 inches, one 14 feet 6 inches 
by 27 feet, and store room 19 by 21 feet 3 
inches; treasurer's office 23 feet inches by 21 
feet 3 inches, containing a fire and burglar proof 
vault, 7 by 8 feet; surveyor's rooms 17 feet 2 
inches by 21 feet 3 inciies, and 13 feet 6 inches 
Uy 21 I'cct 3 inches; W. C. 21 hy 20 feet 7 



inches; boiler room below, same size; the jail 
38 by 58 feet 8 inches, with 12 iron cells 7 by 
7 feet, and three 5 by 7 feet; said jail is lined 
with plate iron. In the construction of this 
[ edifice, it required eight hundred thousand 
(800,000) brick, two hundred and forty (240) 
tons of dressed granite; one hundred and thirty- 
seven (137) tons of wrought iron, thirty (30) 
tons of cast iron, three thousand nine hundred 
and twenty-two (3.922) feet of corrugated iron — 
besides lumber and other materials. The founda- 
tions alone rei^uired eight huiidrcd and fifty (850) 
. perch of basalt rock. 

The county is subdivided into fourteen town- 
ships as follows: .Vnaly, Bodega, Cloverdalc, 
Knight's Valley, Mendocino, Ocean, I'etaluma, 
Redwood, liussian lliver, Washington, Salt 
Point, Santa Itosa, Sonoma and Vallejo. The 
county government is managed by a Board of 
Supervisors comprised of five members, each 
representing a supervisorial district. 

The county is at ])resent represented in the 
Senate by E. C. Hinshaw; and in the Assembly 
by J. AV. Ragsdale, Robert Howe, and Plielix 
Mulgren. 

The following are the present county officers: 
J. (t. Pressley and S. K. Dougherty, Judges 
Superior Court; George Hall, Court Reporter; 
John Goss, Court Commissioner; Albert G. 
Burnett, District Attorney; L. W. Juilliard, 
County Clerk; W. F. Wines, Deputy Clerk; 
W. S. Coulter, Deputy; E. P. Colgan, Sherifi'; 
J. D. Earnett, LTnder-Sheriff; M. V. Vaiidcr- 
hoof and 11. Groshong, Deputies; P. N. Stofen, 
Treasurer; A. P. Moore, Auditor and Recorder; 
A. P. Mulligan, Deputy- Auditor and Recorder; 
Mrs. F. McG. Martin, Sup't. Public Schools; W. 
Longmore, Assessor; P. R. Davis, Surveyor; 
J. Tivnen, Coronor and Public Administrator; 
Benj. (ilark, (4. F. .Mien, M. K. Cady, G. V. 
Davis, F. A. Smith, Board of Supervisors. 



nusroJiV OF fONOMA VOVNTY. 




CHAPTER X. 



I'xHNDAKIKS <l|- S.iXdMA CoUXTV IIEK MolnIAIN |;AX(.I> — KnKE^TS AM) \ AI.I.HVf 



fEOGIJAPHICALLY coiisidertMl, Snnoiua 1 
County occupies onu uf tliu most favored 
positions of any county in the State. Her 
southern limb rests upon San Pabhj P)ay. tlie 
connecting link between tlie Straits of ('ai-(|uine/. 
and the ]>ay of San Francisco, lieaching in- 
land there are two tidal streams, the Petal unia 
Creek and Sonoma Creek, tlie former being nav- 
igable to steam and sailing crafts a distance U|» 
from the bay of twelve miles, and the latter a 
distance of about seven miles. These arteries 
of water transportation are of incalculal)le value 
to the agriculturists and ihiii-vineu of the sur- 
rounding country, insuring to them for all time 
to Come cheap transportation of their |ii-oducts 
to San Francisco, the great metropolis of the 
Pacific coast, that is only distant from the south- 
ern limits of the county about twenty miles. 
Along these tidal streams are vast areas of 
marsh land, much of which has already, and all 
of which in time, will be reclaimed and brought 
in subjection to profitable cultivation. The 
meanderings of Petaluiua Creek northward from 
San Pablo Hay to within four miles of Petaluma 
is the boundary between Sonoma and Marin 
counties, where the boundary line leaves tidal 
salt water and follows the serpentine course of 
the San Antonio Creek northward about nine 



miles, to the Lagoona San Antonio (once a tule 
marsh l>ut now drained and under cultivation), 
anil thence in a direct line to the head of the 
Kstero Americano, near Valley Ford, a tidal 
stream, that tending westerly, debouches in the 
Pacific Ocean aljout six miles ilistant from the 
latter place. From this jwint to the mouth of 
the (lualala River, a distance of about thirty 
miles, Sonoma County has for her boundary the 
broad Piicitic. The boundary between Sonoma 
andMendocino counties commences at the month 
of the (iualala River and following its meander- 
ings about two miles to a point just above the 
confluence of South Gualala, takes a straight 
line easterly over the mountains, about twenty- 
four miles to the summit of Redwood Mountain, 
where, with a sliglit angle, but with a still 
easterly deflection, the line continues on and 
across the Russian River canon at a point four 
miles northward from Cloverdale, and in a 
straight line about twelve miles to the Lake 
("ountv line on the summit of tiie Macuway 
Mountains. From this point, and at almost 
ricrht angles, the line of boundary between 
Sonoma County and Lake and Napa counties it 
rnus south in a straight line about forty-eight 
miles to the intersection of the boundary line 
between Napa and Solano counties; and from 



HISTORY OF SONOMA GOUNTT. 



103 



thence the boundiuy between Sonoma and 
Solano counties runs westerly, about six miles, 
to San F'ablo Bay, the place of beginning. 

It will tiius be seen that IVFarin County, with 
a l)road l)ase resting on tlie bays of San b'ran- 
ciscoand San Pablo, lays wedge-shaped l)etween 
Sonoma C'ounty and the Pacific Ocean, its north- 
ern and narrow end terminating at the Kstero 
Americano, very near the middle of tiie western 
boundary of Sonoma. According to Bower's 
map of Sonoma County, which we believe to be 
substantially correct, i*' is seventy miles in a 
straight line from the extreme southerly point 
of Sonoma County, on San Pablo Pa}-, to the 
Mendocino County line at the mouth of the 
(Inalala Piver, and its breadth gradually in- 
creases from about twenty miles at Petaluma, to 
about thirty-five miles, taking Cloverdale as 
the base of a straight line across. The fore- 
going is a correct statement of the present legal 
geograjihical boundaries of Sonoma County. 
Of course, like most newly organized communi- 
ties, she had contests over (lis])uted territorial 
jurisdiction, mention of which jiroperly belongs 
to the general history, in the chronological 
order in which they occurred. 

Sonoma County has an area of 1,550 S([nare 
miles, or about 992,000 acres, and ranks among 
counties in tiie State in point of territorial scope 
as seventh in magnitude. Within her borders 
could be placed some of the principalities of 
Europe, and even, at least, one of the older 
States of the Union, would find her l)oundaries 
a loose-fitting garment. A bird's-eye view of 
her topograph}' will reveal the secret of that 
wonderful progress and prosperity which has 
placed her in the front raidv among the counties 
of the State; for wliere in the wide worhl is 
presented in the same scope of teri'itory so 
varied and diversified a medley of soil, climate, 
scenery, and exhibitions of handiwork from 
Nature's laboratory as is to be found here? 

As stated at the outset, the southern ex- 
tremity of Sonoma County rests upon the 
northern t^hore of San Pablo Pay. At this ex- 
treme point a line drawn straight across from 



the ]\[arin County to the Napa County line 
would be about twelve miles in length, and 
incist of the distan<'e would be across marsh 
land, subject to overflow by spring tides. Radi- 
ating from this focal point are two chains of 
mountains'and one chain of hills. The Macuway 
Mountains, that extending northward form the 
boundary iietween Napa and Sonoma valleys, 
inland about thirty miles reach their crowning 
glory in Mt. St. Helena, in Napa County, with 
aTi altitude of 4,343 feet above sea level, and 
thence onward, forming the eastern background 
to Santa Rosa and Russian Itiver valleys, hold- 
ing in its embi-ace the far-famed Geyser Springs 
of Sonoma County, where its greatest elevation 
is Sulphur Peak, with an altitude of 3,470 feet. 

The Sonoma Mountains take their rise near 
San Pablo in the shape of smooth, grassy hills, 
but with increasing ruggedness to the north- 
ward, until at a point nearly east of, a!id about 
seven miles distant from Petaluma, they reach 
a height of 2,30(i feet. From that point they 
gradually shade off to the lower levels and break 
into a jumble of hills on the edge of the Santa 
Rosa plains just south of Santa Rosa. 

The range of hills referred to have no specific 
geographical name. They commence near the 
confluence of the San Anton and Petaluma 
creeks and running northward form the divide 
between the two valleys of like names. They 
do not rise to the diginity of mountains, and to 
the northward of Petaluma branching off in 
different directions form tlie southern curb of 
Two Rock Valley -the right wing ending in 
the undulating hills that mark the boundary 
between Petaluma and Santa Rosa ^' alleys and 
the left skirting Tomales Valley, ^larin County, 
until lost in the sand dunes around Tomales 
Pay. 

We have thus far bounded tiie valleys of the 
lower section of the county, and limned the 
rugged eastern back-ground to the Santa Posa 
and Russian River valleys and now we ap- 
l)roach the topography of a section of the 
county most difficult to describe, and yet it is a 
territory every part of wliich passed luuler our 



tilBfORY OF SONoMa C'OUNTY. 



vision more tiiaii thirty years ago. It is 
bounded on the east by the Santa Rosa Valley, 
on tlie north by Russian River, on the west by 
the ocean and on the soutli by tlie Marin 
County line, and the hills between Petaluma 
and Two Rock Valley. Compassed in tliis dis- 
trict are IJlucher Valley, Green Valley, Two 
Rock Valley, Big Valley, and Bodega Valley, 
and the following towns: Forestville, Sebasto- 
pol, Stony Point, Bloomfield, Valley Ford, 
Bodega, Freestone, and Occidental. Of these 
valleys and towns more particular mention will 
be made hereafter — it is the configuration of 
the territory they occupy that is now lieing con- 
sidered. That portion of this counti-y laying 
north of a line drawn with Forestville as its 
initial point, and taking in Sebastopol and Free- 
stone on its course to i^odega. and from thence 
in a direct line to the mouth of Russian River, 
can properly be designated Redwood Mountains 
— Russian River seeming to have carved them 
out of the more rugged mountain forests be- 
yond. "While these mountains do not tower 
very high yet the Blumeand O'Ferrel redwoods 
surmounting some of them, although about 
twenty miles distant, with a hilly country be- 
tween, can be ])lainly seen from Petnluma. 
South of this line, commencing with the low 
hills forming the Mcstern border of the Santa 
Rosa A^alley, then swelling into hills of consid- 
erable height, and again subsiding into more 
gentle undulations, with an occasional subsid- 
ence into an approach to valley level, they reach 
away to the west, until in the narrow confines 
between Bodega Jiay and the Estero Americano 
they are met by the waves of the Pacific ocean. 
With a length of over fifteen miles and an 
average breadth of about six miles, this jumble 
of hills and vales presents a newness of appear- 
ance very suggestive of tender age, geologically 
considered. Except that the northern end of 
this territory had a fail- showing of oak timber, 
the most of it was smooth hills, covered with 
indigenous grasses, until the plow claimed them 
i'ov the raising of cereals and potatoes. 

The remaining topograiihy of the county, so 



far as relates to hill and mountain profile, pre- 
sents only two subdivisions. The first is that 
chain, almost too rugged to be called bills, and 
yet hardly of sufficiently pretentious altitude to 
be designated mountains (although on Bower's 
map two peaks are named), forming the divide 
between Russian River and Dry (.'reek valleys. 
Commencing in gradually increasing nndnhi- 
tions at the confiuenee of Russian River and 
Dry Creek, they extend back tt) a point just 
north of the line between Sonoma and ilenilo- 
cino counties, where they are chopped oft' by 
Dry Creek plunging down through a gorge in 
the hills. These hills jiresent a mixture of oak 
timber, chaparral, and grazing land, with a 
small showing of redwood timber along two or 
three of the side streams just bMow Dry ("reek 
canon. 

There is now left the northwest corner of the 
county, bounded on the east by Dry Creek Val- 
ley, on the south by Russian River, on the west 
by the ocean, and on the north by ^Mendocino 
County. The territory embraced in this section 
of the county lias a length, coastwise, of about 
thirty miles, with an average breadth of about 
sixteen miles. AVith the exception of a sea-side 
mesa of breadth varying from one to two miles 
and extending from Fort Ross up to the mouth 
of theGualala River, this whole area is mountain 
and forest, interspersed with occasional glades 
that invite occupancy of such as prefer the soli- 
tude of rugged wilds fur themselves and fiocks. 
Here is an unliounded wealth of redwood foi-ests 
and tanbark oak, with a possilile treasure of 
hidden mineral wealth to be revealed in the 
future; for already at Mount Jackson there is a 
quicksilver mine being successfully antl profit- 
ably worked. The grandeur of the scenery of 
this vast stretch of country must be seen to be 
appreciated; but, even to the great mass of 
Sonoma County's own citizens it is a term incfx/- 
ni.ta. We do not speak at random about the wild 
grandeur of nature as exhibited in this field, for 
nearly three decades ago we spent days and 
weeks amid these scenes. Our impressions and 
experiences were then given to the public in a 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



105 



coininunication under caption of, "The Petalunia 
Hunters," and will lie reproduced in another 
cliapter of this work. 

Having given the skeleton (intlines of the 
iiills and mountains of Sonoma County, we now 
turn to the valley's. Fetainma Valley com- 
mences at San Pablo Bay and extends north- 
ward fifteen miles and ends where low rolling 
hills form the dividing line between it and 
Santa Rosa \'alley. it lias an average breadth 
of from three to five miles and is of inexhausti- 
ble fertility. The mountains to the east and 
the hills to the west are susceptible of cultiva- 
tion high up on their sides, and their summits 
are productive of indigenous gi-asses which fur- 
nish a never failing supply of a range to those 
engaged in dairying and stock-raising. The 
valley land is productive of wheat, barley and 
Iniy. The land immediately along the foot- 
hills is of the very best ([uality for orchards and 
vineyards. 

Sonoma Valley has been so fully described in 
connection with the early establishment there of 
the mission "San l'"rancisco Solano," tliat it 
requires little further description. It is a per- 
fect gem of a valley, its foot resting upon tide- 
water and extending inland ten or twelve miles. 
It is the natural home of the \ine, the fig and 
tlie orange. Xow that it is penetrated by two 
railroads, its real worth and advantages will win 
for it that consideration that its refd worth and 
importance entitles it to. 

Passing north the wide sweeji of Santa liosa 
A'alley comes to view. This valley is a verit- 
able paradise. Undeniably this is one of 
the most lovely valleys in the State. Its 
fertility and geographical position which secures 
it against the harsh coast winds, and its j)erfect 
adaptability for the ])roductiou of all kinds of 
fruits marks it for a bright future of prosperity. 
With an average breadth of six miles and a 
length of eighteen miles it presents a wealth of 
valley and scenic grandeur worth the crossing 
of a continent to behoM. 

I'assing beyond the Santa Rosa Valley north- 
ward we come to the liussian Uiver Xalley. 



This valley is considerable narrower than the 
Santa Rosa Valley, but in richness of soil and 
variableness of scenery, it is not surpassed by 
any other valley in the State. From Ilealds- 
burg to Cloverdale this valley is becoming one 
continuous chain of vineyards and orchards. 
Here it is that corn grows with a luxuriance 
equal to that witnessed in the great IVfississijipi 
Valley. 

The Dry ('reek \'alley that unites with that 
of the Russian River near Healdsburg, is of 
equal fertility and has long been famous for its 
products of small grain, corn, fruit and ho^js. 
It reaches far nyi into the coast mountains, and 
is a favorite place of resort for campers and 
sportsmen. 

Cloverdale is at the head of Russian River 
Valley, but lieyond it in a pocket of the moun- 
tains is Oat Valley, not large, but a gem both 
in point of scenic surroundings and fertility of 
soil. 

I-Casterly frdui Healdsburg is Alexander \'al- 
ley, a side cove to Russian River Valley. It is 
a valley of considerable extend and great fertil- 
ity. Mr. Alexander, after whom the valley was 
named, was a pioneer settler, and in the early 
fifties had a bearing orchard and other evideiu'es 
of thrift and enterprise around him. 

To the north and east of the Santa Rosa Val- 
ley is a perfect nest of mountain valleys of 
great productiveness. The (iuilicos Valley lays 
serenely at the foot of Hood IVIountain, and 
now that its solitude is broken by the whistle 
of the Santa Rosa and Carquine/. trains pass- 
ing through it, will soon become a famous sub- 
urban resort. Rincon N^alley is a little nest in 
the mountains three or four miles long by two 
wide. Shut in as it is l)y surrounding moun- 
tains it has a climate of unusual mildness and 
is famous for the good (juality of grapes and 
what that fruit produces. Dennett Valley is one 
of the largest of the group of valleys, lying 
easterly from Santa Rosa, its length being about 
seven miles with aii average breadth of over two 
miles. This valley is almost one continuous 
viiK^yard. High ui) in the mountains is the 



IOC 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



littlt' Alpine \'alley, mostly devoted to stock, 
liiit with a few vineyards. Elliot Valley, so 
named after the discoverer of the Geyser 
Springs, on Porter Creek, a tributary of Mark 
West Creek, is a small valley in which l>uth 
farming and fruit raising is carried on. 

Turning now to the west side of the county 
there, are the following designated valleys: 
(xreen Valley is an extremely rich and produc- 
tive belt of country of about six miles in length 
and two miles in breadth, lying in the red- 
woods north of Sebastopol. _ This valley, on 
account of its sheltered position, has always 
been productive of tine fruit and berries. For 
the growing of peaches and kindred fruit it is 
unrivalled. This was one among the earliest 
settled valleys in the county, and has always had 
a thrifty and enterprising population. 

Blucher Valley is located in the rolling iiills 
between the Santa Eosa and Two Kock valleys. 
It is a valley more in name than seeming for it 
is difficult to say where the valley ends and the 
undulations begin. It is land of great richness, 
and for all standard varieties of fruit it can 
hardly be excelled. 

Next comes Two Eock A'" alley, so named on 
acconnt of twin rocks at the northwest corner 
of the ranch now owned by Mr. Kzekiel Den- 
man. The Spaniards called it "Dos I'idros," 
and so the name continued down to 1854:-'5, 
when it gradually took on the American name. 
Two Rock. This valley is about three miles long 



and two miles wide. The soil is rich alluvial- 
and the valley has always lieen very productive 
of potatoes and grain. 

Big Valley occupies the basin forming tlie 
head waters of the Estero Americano. The 
valley and surrounding hills for miles around, 
in the years gone by have produced untold 
quantities of farm products. Being ccmtiguous 
to Bodega where farming was first inaugurated. 
Big Valley naturally invited early occupancy 
and soon took front rank among farming dis- 
tricts, 'and has maintained it to the end. 

The next, and last valley to be noted is that 
of the San Antonio. This is a narrow valley 
at best, and that portion of it on the Sonoma 
County side of the creek is extremely narrow. 
But the head of the San Antonio widens out 
and embraces several thousand acres of com- 
paratively level land. Here used to be two 
chain of lagoons; one at the head of the San 
Antonio Creek and the other at the head of Sal- 
mon Creek. But these lagoons have been 
drained and now are used for cultivatinn. 

We have thus given a birds-eye view of the 
general topography of Sonoma County. We 
tirst gave a skeleton of the mountain and hill 
ranges and have designated and locateil the val- 
leys. But it must be borne in mind thiit innch 
of what lias been designated hills, and eviMi 
portions classed as mountains, is susceptible of 
cultivation, and the remainder is excellent stock 
land. 



ffTSTOnr OF SONOUfA COUNTY. 



m 



?>g(gg<rr.^t^.^t^^t^.'ft.^<^--^^^.-i> 




AMERICAN OCCUPATION 






M^riAPTErv XI. 



Sonoma a central point avter the Bear Flag kevoli'tion — effect of disoovekv of the mixes 
— WHO WERE settlers i.\ Sonoma County at the time — F. (t. Bli'meV statemicnt- how wild 

AND UNIXHABITEI) TlIK I'Ol NTRY WAS Mr. LeIGh's lirXTINO EXPERIENCE NEAR riCrAHMA 

FIRST SETTLERS IN AMI AROUNO PlOTALFMA BaCHELOR RANCHES THE LIVES AND HABITS OF THE 

I'Eori.E WILD HOItSES, A\|i RECKLESS RIDERS THIC REATTA (I.ASSo) A COM!\IoX INSTRUMENT WITH 

WHICH To CArTlRi; WILD lIoRSES AXD CATTLE THE VARIAIH.E EXl'EIUEXCES OF EARLY FARMERS 

UIOSCRII'TIVIC OF THIS CorNl'i' AS IT WAS IN 1854 VsSESSOr's RFl'ORT I'OR 1855 THF I'lRST FAIR 

ol' SciNoMA Corxiv. 



|i,aK|;|ITII tlie lioistiiu 
K Sonoma virtually 



of the bear flag at 
came Xo an end Span- 



ish rule here. Althoiiu-h it was two years 
later before California literally passed nnder 
American rnle by tlie treaty of Guadalupe Hi- 
dalgo, yet so far as the territory was concerned 
Anierioan rule was comjilete ami irrevocable. 
During the short interre_i,''iium that intervened 
between the capture of Sonoma and the discov- 
ery of the gold mines of California, the very 
fact that Sonoma was the center f)f the revcilu- 
tionary movement made it the head center of 
American immigrants and adventurers. During 
these adventurous and troublous times many 
families from the outlying country naturally 
sought Sonoma as a haven of security. This 
inflation of its jwpulatioii gave to it, for the 
time being, a marked prominence on tin- 
northern tVontier. But the discovery of the 
gold mines in 1848 turned tlie attention of 
everybody mouiitainward. F(H' a lime Sonoma 
was a sort of distributi\e ])oint from whence 
snp])lies were drawn for gold-seekers, but soon 
places more accessible to the mines sprung up. 



and Sonoma relapsed into a quiet hamlet, yet 
the county seat ot Sonoma ('onnty, but her 
most enduring glory being that around her 
clustered the memories of the flrst successful 
revolt against l\[exican rnle. 

It is interesting to note how manv and who 
were the settlers in Sonoma County at the time 
when it came under American jurisdiction. 
General Vallejo as commandante of the north- 
ern frontier had power to confer grants of land, 
subject to conflrmation by the Governor of Cal- 
ifornia. General Vallejo received this author- 
ization in 1885. The first exercise of this 
power seems to have been in the granting of 
lands to Messrs. Mcintosh, Black and Dawson 
in what is now r>odega Township. James 
Black afterward disposed of his interest to his 
partners and secured a grant in what is now 
Marin County. Mcrntosh and Dawson became 
naturalized citizens of Mexico, as they had to 
do, ill order to get thcii- grant approved. To 
Mcintosh was left the Inisiness of attending to 
getting the proper papers' for the grant, and he 
omitted to have his partner Dawson, maile a 



108 



ttlSTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



party tu tlie transaction. Tlii> led to tronble 
and a dissolution of the tirin. Dawson set up 
on his own account and received a grant for 
what is now the Poglolome Grant. Dawson, on 
tliis grant doubtless was the first, aside from 
tlie Russians, to saw lumber in Sonoma County. 
Ho established a saw-pit and with a whip-saw 
sawed lumber enough to build a house. 

In 184-0 Cyrus Alexander undertook the 
management of the Sotoyome, or Fitch grant, 
on Russian River. He agreed to manage the 
ranch and cattle tliereon for a period of four 
years at tlie end of wliich he was to receive 
two leagues of land for liis services. He fulfilled 
his contract and the two leagues of land placed 
him in the front rank among Sonoma County's 
substantial mrn. 

( 'aptain Stepiien Smith visited this coast in 
1839 or 1840. He seems to have been im- 
pressed with tlie opportunities here for a grand 
future for lie disposed of his cargo of liorns, 
hides and tallow. Wiule on tliis coast he had 
anclinrt'il in jiodega Uay and (loulitless fixed, at 
tiiat time upon that locality for a future home. 
Returning in ISlShe brought with him a boiler, 
engine, and complete outfit for a steam saw and 
grist mill, lie brought with him an assorted 
cargo of merchandise. With him came Henry 
Hegeler, a ship's carpenter, William A. Streeter, 
an engineer, and David D. Dutton, a mill- 
wright. Arrivinj; at San Francisco some time 
in 184:3, he secured the additional services of 
James Hudspeth, Alexander Copeland, Xathan- 
iel Cooml.)s and .Fohn Daubinbiss (the three 
former of wlKim reached prominence in subse- 
quent California historyV Anchorage was 
reached in iiodega i!ay sometime in September. 
1843. Captain Smith encountered some ditb- 
culty on his first arrival, as John tJidweli, then 
Sutter's agent, claimed that the land around 
Bodega belonged to Ca]>tain Sutter 1)y virtue of 
purchase from the Hussiaiis. 

In spite of these ju-otests, however. Captain 
Smith stood his ground and maintained his 
position. He immediately set about the con- 
htrnctioii of his mill, destined to be the first 



steain-niill of California. He selected as the 
site a point at the very edge of the redwood 
belt, about one mile easterly from the present 
location of Bodega ('orners. There were three 
boilers, each thirty-si.\ feet in length and two 
and one-half feet in diameter. Tliese boilers 
were set in masoni-y so that the fire passed 
around them, instead of througli them, as boilers 
are now constructed. The engine was of equally 
primitive construction. The grinding burrs 
were about fonr feet in diameter and eighteen 
inches in thickness, and encircled with heavy 
iron bands. The saw for cutting lumber was 
what is known as a sash or molding saw, being 
of up and down perpendicular motion. When 
everything was in readiness to start up this 
mill, a grand barliecne was prepared and peojile 
near and far came to behold the wonder. That 
it was accounted a momentous event is evi- 
denced by the fact that Ceneral Vallejo rode all 
the way from Sonoma to be present and partici- 
pate in the inauguration of this new California 
enterprise. Up to 1850 this mill did good ser- 
vice, and eventually a circular saw took the 
place of the muley. In 1855 the old mill 
building was burned and all that now marks its 
former site is the excavation in the bank where 
it stood, and the well from wliich was pumjied 
the water to feed its boilers. Captain Stephen 
Smith seems to have been a man of sagacity 
and great energy of character. Aside from his 
mill, he established a tannery in after years, 
which was in successful operation down to tiie 
time of tlie captain's death. His grant, the 
Bodega, contained 35,487 acres, and so long as 
the captain lived he managed it with care and 
intelligence, but after his death, which occurred 
in November, 1855. the vast estate was soon 
dissipated and wasted through the reckless 
management of Tyler Curtis, who married the 
widow, and it is doubtful if any of Captain 
."Smith's children have much now to show of the 
great wealth of their father. Here it is in place 
to give the reminiscences of a gentleman who 
settled at Freestone in the very earl }• days. His 
statement covers much historic ground; 



rtrfiTonr oP sonoma county. 



'■K. G. JJluini' of I'"iveritone, oiiu of the early 
pioneers of tliis State and county, i^ a (Tcrnian 
by birth, ami was edneateil a;; a piiysieian. In 
1S37 he accepted the jiosition of snri^eon on the 
whale ship Alexander Itarclay, of Bremen, 
whence he sailed for the whaling urotindsof the 
North Pacific. After a successful cruise, his 
ship dropped anchor in Saueelito harbor the 23d 
of December, 1843, wdiere she remained some 
time. l'"rom here Dr. ISlume went to the Sand- 
wich Islands, and in 1847 returned to Califor- 
nia, taking up his residence at Sonoma, where 
for a time he practiced his profession. He 
arrived soon after the hoisting of the bear flag, 
.and some months before the discovery of gold. 
He has a clear recollection of many of the his- 
toric events of that early period, and being an 
educated man and a close observer, a conversa- 
tion with him upon matters relating to the early 
history of this coast is highly interesting 
While engaged in whalingabont Sitka, previous to 
hisarrival in California, he and his shipmates had 
frequentdealingsand interviews with the Russian 
settlers of that region, whom he describes as the 
most generous, kind-hearted and hospitable peo- 
]ile he had ever met. Tiiere was a never-ending 
rivalry among them as to who should treat the 
stranger with the greatest kindness and hospi- 
tality. A ball given by the linssian oflicials at 
Sitka was a really grand affair. Then, as now, 
the principal employments of the itdiabitants 
was the producing of furs. He states that 
Alaska contains immense bodies of timber land 
which at a future time will become of great 
value for ship-lmilding and other ]iurposes. 

•'When the first gold dust was brought to So- 
noma there was much doubt as to its genuineness. 
Governor Hoggs and the military officers ])ro- 
nounced it gold, and their opinion was acceiitcd 
as connect. In a short time miners began to 
arrive with large (juantities of dust, and it be- 
came almost a drug in the market, 'i'hcre was 
but little coin in the country, and Coopei' iV 
lieasley, hotel keepers, bought large quantities 
of dust at from four tn five dollars jier ounce. 
Change smaller than one dollar w.is especiallv 



scarce, and a blacksmith named Fling was often 
employed for hours in cutting JNIe.xican dollars 
into halves and (piarters. (Gambling was carried 
on on a large scale by a considerable portion of 
the inhabitants and visitors. Company D, 
United States Volunteers, Captain Brackett, was 
stationed at Sonoma, and Lieutenant, now (Jen- 
eral George Stoneman, was there. 

" Deer, bear, antelope, elk, and smaller game 
were abundant hereabouts and very tame. On 
more than one occasion Dr. Illume has driven 
cattle and elk into a corral together on the 
Tetalnma Ranch. In 1847 ammunition was 
'contraband,' and it was with much difficulty 
that it could be procured. Twenty-five cents 
was paid for gun caps, and but few would be 
obtained at that or any other price. In the sum- 
mer and fall the valleys and hillsides were 
covered with wild oats from four to eight feet 
in height, and ownership of lands which are 
now among the most valuable in the State could 
be secured for a mere trifle. There was not a 
house in Petaluma Townshij), and the only 
building between Sonoma and Freestone was 
the old adobe, near this city. 

"We have given l)ut an outline of a few of 
the many interesting events relating to the 
early history of the coast that came within the 
personal knowledge and exi)erience of this old 
pioneer. 

"In 1848 Dr. Illume removed from Sonoma 
to Freestone, where he has since resided. He 
has been several times elected justice of the 
peace 'of llodega Township and is now servino- 
as postmaster of Freestone." 

Joseph O'Farrel having e.xchanged a ranch in 
iEarin County for the Canada de Joniva in 
.\naly 'i'ownshi]i, and accpiired by purchase 
from Melntosh the grant, in IJodega Township 
known as the Estero Americano, he established 
liis residence in a beautiful valley in the red- 
woods, wliere he was living in good style with 
all the comforts and conveniences of modern 
life around him, when American population be- 
gan to come in. The Corrillio families, both at 
Santa Rosa and Sebastopol, had erected adobe 



inSTORT OF SONOMA COUNT i'. 



liouses and were surrouiidecl with other evidences 
of permanent residences. Mark West, occnpy- 
ing a grant on the creek that still bears his 
name, had erected a large adobe dwelling — so 
likewise had Henry F). Fitch on his Sotoyome 
grant on IJnssian River. Excepting the large 
adolje establishment of General ^'allejo, in 
\'allejo Township, near Petalnnia, the places 
above enumerated were about the only ones that 
could be called permanently established for any 
period ante-dating 1850. At all these ranches 
there was quite a showing of cattle and horses. 
Ihit taken as a whole, tiie present County of 
Sonoma was an uninhabited wild in 1850, save 
and except the small valley of Sonoma. N. X. 
Hedges, yet a resident of Petaluma, and who, 
in company with Stephen Fowler (long de- 
ceased), liuilt a house for Captain Sniith at 
liodega. says that at that time there was not a 
panel of fence on tlie trail between Petaluma 
and liodega except a corral in l>ig \' alley. As 
cioseas was Petaluma t<i San Francisco its neigh- 
boriiood did not lioast a resident until in 1850. 

'Die tirst to come was Dr. August Heyer- 
manu, in the early part of that year, lie reared 
a log cabin on the old A. ^\ . Rogers place, just 
south of Petaluma. Late that fall Tom Lock- 
wood, accompanied by a party of hunting com- 
panions, came up Petaluma Creek in a whale 
lioat and spent two months in camp near the 
head of Petaluma Creek. They were joined 
earlv in January of 1851 by Lemarcns Wiatt 
and John JJns. The company now consisted 
of Tom Lockwood, Lemarcns Wiatt, John Lins, 
Levi Pybui-n and a man named Pendleton. 
Their numl)er was afterward increased by the 
arrival of Tiiomas liayliss and David Flogdell, 
and all for a time continued to hunt game for 
the San Francisco market. 

Knowing that J. AV. Leigh, long the editor 
of the Monterey Deiiiorraf and now receiver of 
public moneys in the San Fi-ancisco land office, 
had spent several months of 1850 in company 
with other hunters, in the immediate vicinity 
of Petaluma. at cair I'eqnest he reduced his re- 
miniscences of the same to writini;-. Mi-. Leiii'h 



and his companions camped near the head of 
Petaluma Creek, probably somewhere between 
the present residence of Joseph Gossage and the 
Haines chicken ranch. It will be interesting to 
future generations to know the exact conditions 
around where a populous city now stands in the 
middle of the nineteenth century: 

" Referring to your request as to my reminis- 
cences of your county, I hardly know how to 
shape them in such position as to be interesting 
to the ordinary reader. Really, there is little to 
say except the mention of the extraordinary 
wealth of game that then existed in the country 
— elk b}' the hundred, antelopes on the plains 
like Hocks of sheep, deer ill the woodlands so 
numerous that at every clump of bushes a buck 
seemed hidden, jumping out as we passed like 
jack rabbits in the Fresno country now. My 
I'ecollections of the face of the country is that 
it wore a smiling and peaceful aspect, suggest- 
ing nothing of a wilderness, but looking rather 
like an Fhiglish park or the prairies of Iowa. 
Coyotes and wildcats abounded, and the wood- 
lands concealed lions and grizzlies as numerous, 
relatively, as the ipnidruDeds they preyed upon. 
So, too, there was no end of carrion crows, 
ravens, turkey-buzzards and vultures, the last 
named of huge size, rivaled only by the condors 
of South America, all of which seemed to re- 
gard ns as cateiers to their voracity, for they 
came to know the significance of the ritle, and 
flocked constantly after its report to eat what 
we threw away of the cjame killed by us, hardly 
waiting until we had taken our share, which 
was the haunches only. It was strange, while 
we were doing the murderous work alluded to, 
how calm and peaceful the landscape looked, 
with its copses of woodland, grassy open- 
ings and wide plain, on which herds of elk 
and bands of antelope fed apparently ignorant 
of the death-dealing quality of man — a new 
species of the carnivora who had come into their 
haunts. My observation was that their eyes in- 
formed them nothing of men. When to lee- 
ward of them they manifested curiosity, and 
mano'vering to approach ns, trusted to their 



niSTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Ill 



organs of smell to make lis out. They would 
come ()uite close, or let us get near, but showed 
littlf of distrust until thoy got scent of us, 
when they would be off like a Hash, panie- 
stricken. From this performance 1 made out 
that man is like the lion, tiger and similar 
beasts of pi'ey. anil that liis body gives out an 
odor which offends the senses of his foui'-footed 
victims as would the scent of blood. We did 
not kill 'for the lust of killing;" profit was 
the object of the hunters witli whom I was, and 
they killed only the ' bucks,' carefully select- 
ing such as were in their prime. This was in 
September, ISot). In all the country through 
which we ranged -from the site of the present 
Petaluina to what is now the town of Santa 
Rosa, there was sign of but a single ' settle- 
ment," of some S(iHatter, mIio had fenced a few 
acres, plowed and sowed them to corn, potatoes 
and melons, and had gone off to the mines and 
left crows and raccoons to reap the product of 
his labors. My companions were but two, men 
who liad been trappers in the ' Rockies,' one 
from the shores of Chesapeake originally, and 
the other having been burn on the banks of the 
Cumberland River, in Tennessee. They had 
the skill of Cooper's ' Leather Stockim/," were 
tiioroughly versed in wood lore and knew the 
habits of their game as if 'to the manner born," 
but were rough and uncouth in speech and 
morals to a degree that amazed me. I had a 
tierce quarrel with one of them, I rememljer, to 
the point of a duel a Voutt'ciiyie, but patched up 
a truce with the understanding that neither 
knew what kind of a man the other was and so 
might give offense without meaning it." 

Such being the conditions around the head 
waters of I'etaUima Creek, at that time, and in 
fair view of the Vallejo buildings at the foot 
of the Sonoma Mountains, the reader can well 
understand how game must have abounded 
further back, where seldom disturbed by the 
presence of man. 

I5ut this was to be changed in thi' near 
future. Those who came to hunt, determined 
to locate here. Wiatt and Linus started a little 



trading post on the creek near the present "Wash- 
ington street; I'ayliss and Flogdell establislied 
a boarding house; J. M. Hudspeth erected a 
warehouse near the creek, and thus was started 
the city of Retaluma. There had been quite a 
number of new arrivals, and one among the 
\ery cai'liest of these was Major James Siiudey, 
who is yet one of Petaluma"s mi>st respected 
citizens. Among those of that eai-ly period 
whose names are at our command are (-ieorge \\. 
Williams, Robert Douglas and family; the 
Starkeys, the Tustins, the Lewises. The Mer- 
ritts had located temjiorarily in (ireen Valley, 
and John Merritt informs us that he ])iit ut) 
the first stack of hay ever seen at Retaluma i.in 
the site now occupied by the ^[cCune JJlock, 
corner of Washington and Main streets. It is 
useless to attempt to particularize on individu- 
ality further. People were coming into the 
county in constantly increasing volume, and 
very many were intent upon securing liomes in 
the country. Hut where to find unclaimed lands 
was the rub. Go where they woidd they found 
the land i-esting under the shadow of some 
Spanish grant. In sheer desperation many set- 
tled on grants and ])re|)ared to build their 
homes, and leave the consequences to the 
future. The settlements thus formed were dif- 
ferent in character from those ever before wit- 
nessed in frontier settlements. It was largely 
made up of those who had tried their fortunes 
in the mines and becoming discouraged with 
the vocation of gold-seekers, determined to turn 
their attention either to farming; or the raising 
of stock. As a rule they were unmari-ied men, 
although among them were a few men wliu had 
families in the East. Hence it was that up to 
as late as ISoo a large proportion of the habi- 
tations in Sonoma (.'ounty were designated as 
" I'achelor ranchos."" The buildings, con- 
structed in many instances, as already stated, on 
land covered by some Spanish grant, were very 
rude habitations. The most common structures 
were built by setting posts in the ground. The 
weatherboarding was of boards split out of red- 
wood, usually twelve feet long, and the roof of 



Hf^TdUT f)F soyo.WA COUNT T. 



■ •lapboanls (sliakt^i tVnir <ir live I't'ct long. Usu- 
ally the grouiul was used for a floor, aitliotigli 
some indulged in the luxury of a plank floor, 
iiedsteads and bunks, such as could be con- 
structed with iiandsaw and hatciiet, was the 
furniture of the sleeping apartment, while a few 
shelves in the kitchen made of split boards usu- 
ally 6ufficed for a dish cupboard. AVitli the 
addition of a cook-stove the establishment was 
complete. Commencing with 1S51, these rude 
tenements sprung uj) like mushrooms, and 
inside of a few yeai's, throughout the length 
and breadth of the county, were scattered these 
bachelor domicils. In those years the man 
who did not do his own cooking and washing 
was an exception to the general rule. It was 
not a (question of choice, but of necessity. 
Neither did educatitin, pride or previous con- 
dition cut any figure in the case. Here were 
to be found men of every walk and grade of 
life working side by side, whether in field or 
kitchen. Society was democratic, simple and 
pure, in a degree never before witnessed in any 
country, and, perhaps, never to be repeated 
again. It was a rough and rugged experience, 
and yet it was just under such conditions that 
very many of Sonoma County's preseiit most 
substantial and respected citizens laid the founda- 
tion of their fortunes. It must not be supposed 
that even in those early years women and families 
were unknown in Sonoma County; but they 
were scj few in comparison to those who had 
bachelor ranches that they were the exception 
and not the rule. In the slow process of years, 
however, those cheerless homes of lienedicts 
gave ])lace to the more attractive and refining 
inllnence of the mothers of the native sons and 
daughters in Sonoma County. Many of these 
noble women, who by their presence and toil 
hel])cd to guide and cheer those engaged in 
pioneer work, have ended their weary life-mis- 
sion, but they richly eai'ned the right to have 
monuments of enduring marble erected to their 
memories. 

We are describing conditions as they existed 
between 1848 and 1855. If the reader knows 



the meaning of the stock ])lirase "breeding 
back," lie will rightly appreciate the real condi- 
tions of Sonoma County at that time. Most of 
the men who took up ranches and entered upon 
agricultural or stock-raising pursuits were be- 
low the meridian of life, and easily adapted 
t htmselves to the conditions with which they 
found themselves environed. There was a cer- 
tain degree of dash and daring among the native 
Californiaus very captivating to the young 
Americans. .\.s expert riders and manipulators 
of the reatta the natives excelled. In almost 
every valley thei'e was ii baud (manada) of 
Spanish animals and from these sources the set- 
tlers di'ew a cheap supply of riding and work 
animals, although ox-teams were then largely 
used. To break and handle these California 
horses led to the adoption of California hal)its 
and methods. Hence the " bucharo "' saddle 
was in almost universal use, and Americans be- 
came enamored with the use of huge Mexican 
spurs, that, in the language of Chaucer, "sounded 
'een as loud as doth the chapel bell." In those 
days if a rider, either Califoruian or American, 
was approaching you, his coming was heralded 
by the ringing of his spurs. Everybody rode 
as if they were going for a doctor. The native 
horses had a power of endurance that would put 
to shame the nerve of candled and groomed 
horses of a later period. If engaged in the 
stock or dairying business, every man became 
in a degree a " bucharo" — that is he was in the 
saddle a great part of the time, and if he wished 
to catch a wild horse or cow, his ever-ready 
"reatta" was brought into requisition. The 
Americans soon acfjuired a wonderful dexterity 
in the throwing of the reatta. If a new saddle 
horse was needed the manada was driven into a 
corral and an animal selected, " lassed,"' blind- 
folded, saddled and mounted, and then fun 
began! The animal, if high metaled, of course 
bucked, and the rider received commendation 
from the spectators just in degree as he main- 
tained his position in the saddle. In those 
early days we have seen men I'ide such " buck- 
ius: " mustang's for the mere editication of the 



lUsrORT OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



113 



si>ectiitui-s. AVlieii we see young men of this 
day riding on the little American saddle, with 
their tooth-pick shoes crowded into little iron 
stirrups, and rising in tlieir sitting so that you 
could sine a hat between thcni and their saddle, 
we just smile wiien we think of what would be 
their fate if riding a bucking horse why, there 
would not be enough of them left to make shoe- 
strings. In the short space of a third of a 
century the art of horse-back riding has virtu- 
ally become a lost art in California. 

The drift of early settlement in Sonoma 
County was naturally toward Bodega because, 
not only the Russians had demonstrated its fit- 
ness for agriculture, but Captain Stephen Smith 
had established himself there and was in a posi- 
tion to assist immigrants in their venture in 
agricultural pursuits. It was a demonstrated 
fact that that region would produce in great 
abundance potatoes, much needed in the mines 
of California. Seed potatoes were very high. 
Captain Smith was in a position to furnish this, 
and found many ready to rent land and embark 
in the business of potato growing. In 1851 
such reaj)ed a rich reward. In 1852 seed pota- 
toes were available for others, and settlers in 
Big Valley and the coast hills embarked in the 
business, and with large profits. This led to 
the planting of an increased acreage of potatoes 
in 1853, and the result was an over-production, 
and conse(_[uent disaster to those engaged in the 
business. In 185-1 the potato crop was again 
in excess of the demand, and those who had en- 
gaged in the business of potato raising were 
virtually bankrupted. And, as if in veritication 
of the adage, " misfortunes never come alone," 
the wheat crop of the coast valley's for 1854: -'55 
were smitten with both smut and rust. ^Vlien 
we hear farmers of the present day growling 
about short crops, or low prices, our memory 
naturally reverts to those three years of unre- 
(piiteil toil of our farmcns', and we wonder as to 
what would be about the lengtli of Sonoma 
County farmers' faces now if they had to pass 
through similar experiences. 

The.se early farmers of Sonoma County had 



settled upon the naked land. In many instances 
they first planted their crops, then turned their 
attention to building fences. If they had some 
means, they could buy slats and posts in the 
redwoods. If they had no money, as many of 
them had not, it involved the riving of slats and 
the splitting of posts themselves, and then the 
hauling and constructing of the same into fences. 
The toil involved was immense, and none but 
those who passed through those experiences will 
ever know wdiat of deprivation and physical 
eft'ort it cost to found the early settlements of 
Sonoma County. 

As this chapter is mainly intended to give 
the reader a correct conception of the Ilcwne^s 
and comparatively uninhabited condition of 
Sonoma County in the early fifties we give 
place here to a communication written by us in 
1877, reminiscent of the then long past: 

"Eds. AK(iUs: Noticing that you are about 
to lay upon the shelf your twenty-second volume 
it naturally causes my mind to drift back to that 
long-ago, verging close upon a (piarter of a 
century, the occasion of my advent into your 
county. .Vs these memories ante-date the birth 
of your journal, they may not be devoid of in- 
terest to some of your readers. In brief, the 
spring of 1851 found me in San Francisco, 
waiting, like Micawber, 'for something to turn 
up.' That something did turn up just in the 
nick of time, and was nothing more or less than 
the discoveiy of rich gold mines on Russian 
River. 

" Over three years experience in the Sierras hail 
failed to eliminate from my nature that credu- 
lity which kept so many miners following every 
l(jii'iK fatuun bearing the title of ' new gold 
mines.' .\t the time of whieh I write there 
were three steamboats plying between San 
Francisco and Petalunni. The Scrrefar;/ and a 
boat the name of which has passed from my 
mind, were running a spirited oj>pobition. 'i'lu: 
Reindeer, of which your fellow-townsman, E. 
Latapie, was captain, was running free and easy, 
on its own hook; making up in safety what it 
lacked in speed. Un the latter 1 took passage, 



lllslfiUT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



;uul iVoiii it* ilcuk liad my lir^t view of the ile- 
viuiis iiieanderings of Ptjtaluina Creuk. In less 
than two weeks thereafter tlie Sc-n-f'tr;/ went 
up in a cloud of steam, aiul. like a leaden pluni- 
inct, to the bottom of the bay, carrying with her 
a score or more of passengers. There are resi- 
dent in your county yet some of those wlio took 
a salt-water bath on that occasion, but who were 
fortunately rescued by the boat with which the 
Scci-tfar;/ was racing at the time of the disaster. 
.\ t'ellow-passenger on the liLUuLer. who knew 
all the ins and outs of yo\ir then incipient city, 
conducted me to the -Tom and Da\e"s House,' 
where I found food and lodging. The title of 
this house was derived from a contraction of the 
given names of Thomas IJayliss and David 
Flogdell, who were its keepers. Proprietors 
and house, alike, liave passed away. As my 
destination was the Eldorado on Russian River, 
1 only tarried one night in Petaluma, and with 
carpet-l)ag on back hastened onward. 

" It was early in April, and as there had been 
copious rains vegetation was luxuriant, and the 
valleys and mountain sides as far as visi(jn could 
reach were one undulating sea of wild oats. 
The whole wide sweep of country beyond Peta- 
luma was very sparsely settled at that tiuie. 
About midway between Petaluma and Santa 
Rosa the Moffet Jirothers were dairying upon a 
large scale, and seemed to have free range of 
Santa Ro-a Valley for their stock. My recol- 
lection at present is that between the old C). E. 
Mathews place, adjacent to Petaluma, and Santa 
Rosa, there was l)ut one house immediately at 
the road-side, and in it I took refuge from an 
April shower. 

•• I reached Santa Rosa in time t'or a late din- 
ner. E. P. Colgan had just moved into the 
rooms under the old Masonic Hall. Everything 
was topsyturvy — tiic cooking stove having 
barely been got in place. Mrs. C, notwith- 
standing it was two o'clock r. m., inijirovised a 
dinner, and thus I claim the honor of being the 
first traveler to take a meal at a regular public 
hotel in Santa Rosa. 

"Although weary and foot-sore 1 determined 



to go as far as the old Mark West Ranch llou>e 
that evening. And just here I wish to record 
my impression at tluit time — and I have no de- 
sire to modify it now—that in all my wander- 
ings upon tliis earth I had never before traversed 
so Eden-like a vale as that between Santa Rosa 
and Mark West. It was nature's own park. 
Wild oats, clover and other indigenous grasses, 
intermingled with a profusion of wild tlowers 
of every shade and hue bedecked the broad ex- 
pause of plains, while the oak timber, just 
sparse enough {o give it an orchard-like appear- 
ance, was putting on its new foliage amid the 
drapery of pendent moss, that, like ten tlmu- 
sand banners, courted the balmy breeze. It was 
untarnished nature, neitiier marred nor scarred 
by the plowshare of relentless man. 

"At Mark West I found accommodations for 
the night with a couple of Frenchmen, who had 
a trading-post in one wing of the old Mark 
West Ranch House. Morning again found me 
a pedestrian on the Santa Rosa plains. My 
course lay some miles westerly from the present 
road of Healdsburg, bringing me to Russian 
River about five miles below Fitch's. I then 
traveled up the river, passing on the way a 
clapboard shanty, in which Lindsey Carson, 
brother of the famous Kit Carson, liad a little 
store. Arriving at Fitch's it was necessary to 
cross the river. There was a canoe moored at 
the opposite shore and a number of Indians 
lounging on the bank, but they were deaf to 
my entreaties to l)e ferried across. After wait- 
ing an hour one (.)f the Fitch's, a lad then of 
fourteen or fifteen, came to my relief and con- 
vinced the dusky savages that they had better 
cross me over. My objective point for dinner 
was Heald's, who occupied the present site of 
Healdsburg. 1 was, however, doomed to dis- 
appointment, as there was no one at home. 
P'rom this point onward I was like a sailor at 
sea without chart or compass. A dim road 
alone attested that civilization liad preceded 
me. Mile after mile was left behind, and yet 
no sign of human habitation. Night cast iier 
mantle over the earth, and I was alone in that 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



vast solitiule. Before darkness obscured clear 
vision I noticed that the road was trending; 
westward, and apparently away from the river 
valley. At eii;ht o'clock at night, by the star- 
light, I could see that around me was an aniplii 
theater of mountains, rendered more somber by 
a forest of redwoods. I bad about concluded 
that supperless and bedless I was in for vigils 
during the silent watches of the nig;lit, when the 
barking of a dog further up the canon greeted 
my eai'. Never until tlieii did I appreciate the 
p let's rhapsody over ' tbedeep-iru)uthed liaying 
of the watch-dog." There are a great many 
worthless curs in the world who are libels on 
respectable canines, but for all that man has no 
truer, more steadfast and faithful friend than in 
his dog. The ringing bark of the dog told me 
as plainly as though in articulated words that 
he had a master, and acting on this assurance 1 
was soon by a blazing camp tire, and the reei|i- 
ient of genuine backwoods hospitality from a 
young man who had pitched camp there to get 
out redwood fencing material to be used in the 
valley.-^. My host shared with me his bed, and 
so fatigued was 1 that, notwithstanding the in- 
formation that the Indians had, oidy a week 
previous, killed a man in a cafKin nearby, 1 was 
soon oblivious to all worldly care. Tliis young 
man was able- to give me positive information 
concerning the reputed gold mines uj) the river 
— suHicient, at least, to convince me Ihat on 
Russian River was not located the (>pliir from 
which Solomon got the gold for his temple, and 
the ne.\t day I I'ctrcated in good urdcr, only 
varying my nuile from that traveled up in that 
I crossed over from Santa Kosa to the okl Mil- 
ler & Walker store, near the now town of Sebas- 
topol. and tlicncctd relMlnma by way of Stony 
Point. 

"A comparisdii nf the present with the past 
as outlined by this hasty reminiscence of that 
long ago, will give mmi: maiked emphasis to 
the character and degree of progress made by 
Sonoma County in the space of twenty- three 
years." 

We cannot lietter give a correcl idea of the 



progress made in the settlement and development 
of Sonoma ('ounty up to 1855 than by append- 
ing the following: 

Smith 1). Towne, the then assessor of So- 
noma County, furnished to the Sonoma County 
■Jdiirnul ill AugUht of 1855 the following 
statistics relating to Sonoma and Mendocino 
counties: 

■'Tlie ijuantity of the land enclosed in this 
and Mendocino counties, amounts to ;JT.t)5:2 
acres; about 22,400 acres of which is in the 
cultixation of the following ])roduct8: 

" \Vlic<t(. - The number of acres sown is, 12,- 
2i33, of which amount 3,500 acres only (mostly 
from Chili and Oregon seed) is good, or but 
very slightly affected with rust, and will average 
28 bushels to the acre; making a total of 98,- 
000 l)ushels. The remainder, or 8,733 acres, 
was entirely destroyed, or nearly so, by the 
'rust,' anil but a small portion was ever har- 
\ested. Last year tlie wheat from Oregon and 
Australia seed, was so badly 'smutted' that it 
lost favor with our farmers, and the kind coni- 
moidy known as the ' club-head,' became the 
favorite, and was largely sown, but most unfor- 
tunately it seems to have been the oidy kind 
ati'ected this year. 

''Oats. — The nnmher of aci'cs put down to 
oats is, 3,268; a portion of which, in the im^ 
mediate vicinity of the coast, has been affected 
by ' rust." 1 might have remarked that the 
scoui'ge has even extended its ravages to the 
indigenous plants and grasses of the soil. 
From the many incpiiries, I am led to lielieve 
that the total "lunnber of acres will make an 
average crop of 35 bushels to the acre, which 
gives a total of 104,380 bushels. 

" liiii'leij. — This grain seems to lia\e but few 
friends, and conse<|uently vei-y little was sown 
in comparison with last year. In some locali- 
ties, the 'cheat' has destroyed some kw fields; 
with this exception the grain is good. Numbei' 
of acres sown, 1,561; average yield, 32 bushels 
to the acre; total, 49,952 bushels. 

'• ('urn. Of this product thei'e ai-e 714 acres 
jilantcil, the most of which i.i in the Kussiaii 



insninv of sonoma county. 



]ii\'('r and l)ry ('reuk valleys, where it seems to 
llourish more luxuriantly than in any other por- 
tion of onr coiintv. From present indications 
there will undoubtedly be an abundant harvest; 
say 40 bushels to the acre, making 28,580 
bushels. 

^^ Rye. — Only 8 acres sown, merely as an ex- 
jieriment. 

" Bucku-hcat. — Amount phinted, UU acres; 
seems well adapted to our soil and climate. As 
yet there has been none harvested; I cannot, 
therefore, tell how it will yield. 

'■' I'ean. — Number of acres loC); average yiekl, 
80 bushels per acre; total, ■i,ti80 luisliels. 

" Beans. — 177 acres. 

*' Potatoes. — The quantity planted is, l.ti'.tS 
acres, against 2,H00 last year, and will not prob- 
al)ly yield more than 40 sacks to the acre, ow- 
ing, perhaps, to the extreme hot dry weather in 
June, which gives us a total ot 07,720 sacks, of 
120 pounds each, i think this the outside tig- 
ure. There is, however, no indication of worms 
or insects disturbing them an<l what are raised 
will most likely be perfectly sound and good. 

" Pumpkins, Txirnlps, Beets, Onions, ete.,a.\\([ 
almost every kind of garden vegetaltles are 
raised in abundance and to spare. 

" Fruit Trees. — There are 6,730 set out, 
mostly young, from one to three years old, com- 
prising many varieties of apples, pears, peaches, 
plums, cherry, iigs, apricots, etc. About one- 
third of the number have commenced bearing 
and in another year we may anticipate an 
abundanre of fruit; and the present year, I 
thiidv our county will compare as favorably both 
as regartls i|iuintity, as any other county in the 
State. 

" Vliieijarils. — In addition to the orchards, 
there are many line vineyards, numbering in 
the aggregate some 24,800 vines, many of wdiich 
arc loaded with grapes. The estimated quan- 
tity gathered last year was 80 tons; the present 
season it will be fully doubled. 

'■^Atnerican Cattle. — JS' umber of milch cows, 
5,850; dry cows, 2,575; calves, 5,750; work 
open, 2,771; beef cattle, 1,922; yearlings, 4,2'J4; 



total number of .\merican cattle, 22,622. To 
this must be added the California cattle, 8,588; 
which gives a total number of cattle (American 
and California) 26,250. 

'■'■Horses. — Number of gentle horses, Ameri- 
can and Spanish, 3,708; wild California horses 
(manada) 1,250; total number of horses, 4,U58. 

"Of Mules there are 328; of //r;y.s-, l'J,45!t; 
of Sheep, 7,0t;5." 

The first fair of Sonoma County was held on 
the public square at Santa Ilosa and which was 
thus reported, and appeared in the J'etaluma 
Journal of October 20, 1855: 

"Our village was thronged yesterday with 
people from all parts of the county to attend the 
first fair of the .\gricultural Society. The 
shaded plaza in front of the court house, 
was selected for the place of exhibition, and 
here was gathered a tine collection of horses, 
mules, and horned cattle. 

"The large Durham bull belonging to Lo\ell 
& ISrothers, of Vallejo Township, attracted uni- 
versal attention. This animal is four years old; 
and received a premium at the recent exhibition 
at Sacramento. Several fine stallions were also 
much admired; particularly Sir CIiarles,-A dark 
bay, seven years old, Ijclonging to Mr. Seabringot 
l)odega; and a light bay, belonging to Mr. Tateot 
Santa liosa; latter the took the first premium. 

" After the crowd had gazed their full at the 
animals in a state of repose, they were en- 
livened by a display of the locomotive jiowers 
of the horses, both under the saddle and in 
harness. A large gray horse lielonging to Mr. 
Robinson of Petaluma. excited much remark; 
with good training, he will no doubt become a 
fine trotter. 

"At four o'clock the comjiany adjourned to 
the court house, and listened to a few introduc- 
tory remarks by Dr. Hill, the president of the 
society, and an interested address from C. 1*. 
Wilkins, Esq., on the imjwrtance of the applica- 
tion of the sciences to agricnlture. 

" The proceedings of the day were brought 
to a brilliant and harmonious close, by a ball at 
the Masonic Hall. 



HISTORY OF SOXOMA COUNTY. 



117 



"We subjoin a list of the premiums awiudL'd, 
fur which we are indebted to Mr. Powers, 
secretary of the society. Tlie first premiums 
were money, the second and tliird were dijiio- 
mas of tlie society. 

•' Best stallion, >^1U, to Air. Tate of Santa 
IJosa; second best, to Mr. Seabring, of itodega ; 
third best, to Mr. Manning of Green Valley. 

" I>est stud colt, premium to Mr. McMiuu; 
second best, to Mr. McDowell. 

''Best brood luare, $8, to.Iulio Carrillo, of 
Santa Kosa ; second best, to Mr. Stanley, of 
I'etalunui; third, to Mr. Watson. 

"Best colt, $5, to Mr. Seabring, of Bodega; 
second to Mr. Tate, of Santa Rosa. 

" Best riding horse, !?5, to Mr. Wright, of 
Santa Rosa. 

"Best buggy horse, So, to Mr. liobin^on, of 
Betaluina. 

" Hest draft horse, !ti5, to Mr. Stanley, of 
I'etalunia. 



" ! Jest mule, premium to Mr. Wright, of Santa 
liosa. 

"liest bull. !f;8, to Buvell iV i'.rothers, of Val- 
lejo Township. 

"Bestcow, !B8, to Mr. Wrigiit, of Santa Kosa. 

•> Best calf !ji5, to Air. AVright, of Santa Rosa. 

" Hest beef steer, So, to Mr. Clark, of Santa 
Rosa. 

" Best specimen of cheese, $)J, to Mr. Till'e, 
of I'etaluma. 

" Best specimen of wheat, S5, to Air. Neal, 
of Santa Rosa. 

" Best specimen of saddlery, !f;2.50, to Air. 
Barnard, of Santa Rosa." 

While the above showing of the assessor, as 
well as the rejiort of the County Fair, will 
seem small and inconsequential when con- 
trasted with he products of Sonoma County 
now, yet it shows that the people had accom- 
plished very much, considering the newness of 
the country. 



118 



HISTORY OF S02fOMA COUNTY. 



'^>^~^-^S^-^^^i^^-^\^ 




CHAPTER XII. 



EPITOME OF THE FIKf-T VEAk's KEI OKP UE THE SuXOMA CViT>-TY JoUKNAI, ThX GEYSER'^ 

1S56 — IHK PeTALIMA IIUNIKKs IX 1860. 



fllE first newspaper published in Petaiiiina 
: appeared on the 18th vi' August. 1855, 
^' and was entitled T/ie I'etalutna Weekly 
Joui'iuil and Sonoma County Advertiser. Hon. 
Thomas L. Thompson, now of the Santa Rosa 
Democrat, was proprietor, and H. L. AVcston, 
long one of the proprietors of the Anjus, 
and 3'et a citizen of Petaluma, was foreman of 
the otiicc, which was in a one-story wooden 
building situated on the present site of Towne's 
drug store. The only other paper being pulj- 
lislied in the county was the Sonoma Bulletin, 
bv A. J. Cox, and as it suspended publication 
in September of that year, the Journal became 
the repository of all matters of historic concern, 
not only of Sonoma, but of some of the adjacent 
counties that as yet had no public journals of 
their own. While the most of the matter con- 
tained in the tiles of this ]'ournal from the IStli 
of August, 1855, to the 18th of August, 185B, 
is local to Petaluma, yet there is so much of it 
that relates to the whole county that an epitome 
III' it properly falls within the scope of the 
county's general history. 

Among the items of general interest in the 
first issue we find the annual report of S. D. 
Towne, county assessor, from which it is 
learned that within the territory now constitut- 



ing the counties of Sonoma and Mendocino, 
there were 87,052 acres of enclosed land, of 
W'liich 22,400 were under cultivation. There 
were 12,233 acres of wheat, of which it was 
estimated that 3,500 acres would yield twenty - 
eight bushels per acre, the remainder being 
nearly all destroyed by rust. Rust also ex- 
tended its ravages to the indigenous plants and 
grasses. 

Among the Petaluma advertisers in this lirst 
i'ew.issues were: attorneys-at-law. AVni. I). Bliss, 
Wm. A. Cornwall, J. Chandlar, and I. G. 
Wickershani ; saddlery, Samuels & Gedney and 
W. Van Houghton; dry goods and groceries. 
Hill ct Lyon and Elder vN: Plinman; painting, 
Geo. W. Andrews and J. B. Bailey; lumber, H. 
S. Xewton and Geo. R. Perkins; hardware, 
Derby A: Baldwin; dealers in produce and 
agents for Petaluma line of packets, Kittrell it 
Co.; drug and book store, S. C. Haydon; Ameri- 
can Hotel, Anthony G. Oakes; general mer- 
chandise, Calish & x^ewman; steamer Reindeer, 
Edward Latapie, master; furniture, L. Chap- 
man; dentist, W. D. Trinque; Petaluma House, 
Ramsey it Light; stable and stock-yard, C. I. 
Robinson; Pioneer Hotel, D. "W. Flogdell. A. 
B. Bowers and Miss Morse were the teachers of 
the Petaluma public scliool. X, McC. Menefee 



ffrSTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



was county clerk, and Tlioinas IT. Pyatt and 
Joel JNIiller, deputies; Israel Brockiuaii was 
slieriff and A. C. McKinnen, deputy. 

Tiie California State election was lield on the 
5th of Septeinher, and is reported as follows: 
J. Neely Johnson, Know Nothing, was elected 
Governor over John Bigler, Democrat, by 
a majority of 5,011 in a total vote of 96,885. 
In Petaluma the vote stood Johnson 277, Bigler 
204. The Settlers' elected their entire county 
ticket by a large majority. The following were 
the officers chosen: Assemblymen, 11. (1. lleald 
and J. S. Rathbnrn; County Judge, Wm. 
Churchman; District Attorney, I. G. Wicker- 
sham; County Clerk, N. McC. Menefee; Sheriii', 
A. C. Bledso; Treasurer, W. A. Buster; Super- 
intendent of Schools, B. n. Bonham; Surveyor, 
Wm. Mock; Assessor, W.G.Lee; Coroner, J. 
S. Williams; Public Administrator, "W.B. Atter- 
berry. The total vote polled in Sonoma and 
^[(Mulocino was 1,890. In the issne of the 8th 
(jf September the following mention is made: 
"The county seat was removed last fall from 
Sonoma to Santa Tiosa, at which time the latter 
place contained not more than one or two 
honses; it now boasts of three stores, two hotels, 
one restaurant, one blacksmith shop, a large 
livery stable, various private residences and 
several new houses in course of constrnction. 
The county buildings are not constructed but 
lumber is on the ground for their commence- 
ment." Tiie Sonoma BuUetin, about the 12tli 
of September, requested the Jcnnxil to an- 
nounce its demise. 

In Septeml)er and October we tind the follow- 
ing record: The Steamer (rcorc/ind, which had 
been running on the Sonoma and San Francisco 
line, commenced making regular trips between 
Petaluma and San Francisco tlic 17th of Sep- 
tember. The Kate Na//t'.i, under tlie command 
of Captain C. M. Baxter, was also making regu- 
lar trips. Among new advertisers who put in 
an appearance during the months of Septembei- 
and October, were C. P. Wilkins, attorney-at- 
law; W. L. Anderson and John S. liobberson, 
M. Weil & Co., U. Samuels and M. Amies, and 



John G. Huff, general merchandise; Thomas L. 
Barnes, S. W. Brown and T. A. Hylton, physi- 
cians and surgeons; B. Tannebaum, dry goods; 
A. Skill man and Wm. Zartman, and Dean & 
Bates, wagon and carriage- makers. The co- 
partnership of Wm. Zartman, John Fritscli and 
James Reed, who were engaged in lilacksmith- 
ing and wagon-making, was dissolved the 23d 
of October, James Reed having perished on the 
ill-fated Central Ami'rira that went down at sea. 
The Bodega steam saw-mill, owned by B. 
Phelps, of San Francisco, was destroyed by 
tire on the night of October 18, the loss beinc 
between $15,000 and !!;18,000. The first fair of 
Sonoma County was held in Santa Rosa on the 
plaza, in front of the court house, October 18. 
The board of managers of the society consisted 
of Dr. J. Hill, President; B. B. Munday, 
Vice-President; Mr. Jenkins, Treasurer; S. T. 
Power, Secretary; Judge Thompson, Dr. 
Ornisby, Major Beck, Major Ewing, .\. Cope- 
land and J. M. Hudspeth, Directors. The 
State fair was held at Sacramento during the 
last week of Se|)tember. Among the successful 
competitors for jireminms were the following 
named from Sonoma County: II. L. Lovell A: 
Brother, of Yallejo Township, for the best bull, 
California bred Durham, $50; second best 
cheese, Samuel Lewis, $15; best five acres or 
liiore of corn, H. M. Wilson, Russian River, $50. 
Between November 10 and December 15, 
1855, the Jovrnal contained the following : 
Among new advertisers were, E. B. Cooper, 
groceries ; Rosanna Loftus, Farmer's Hotel ; 
Sam Brown, American Hotel; Harmon Ramer 
and J. H. Knowles, Petaluma and IJodega Stage 
Line; J. E. Fowler, bakery and restaurant; 
George W. Miller, barber; E. \\. Lockley, attor- 
ney-at-la\v, Santa Rosa ; John llandley, dry 
goods, groceries and hardware, Santa Rosa. .\t 
ten o'clock, a. m., on the morning of Friday, 
November 23d, the boiler of the steamer Geonj- 
iiKi exploded while lying at her wharf in the 
creek at the foot of Fnglish street (now West- 
ern avenuej, taking on freight and passengers, 
killing .loliii Flood, fireman, and George Funk, 



HISTORY OF SONOMA OOUNTT. 



and wounding G. IJiisher and Valentine Iken. 
Tiie coroner's jury returned a verdict to the 
eftect tliat Flood came to his deatli by the crim- 
inal conduct and inattention of the cajitain of 
the steamer, John Tiionipson, and of the owners. 
The Geortfina was owned by Wagner & I5ihler, 
of Sonoma. The jury consisted of J. V>. South- 
ard, E. S. McMurrj, James E. Gedney, S. P. 
Derby, Charles R. Arthur, Jonathan Adams, J. 
H. Sproule, S. J. Smith, Harrison Stanley, Wm. 
Shelton, J. D. Bartlett, George Harris and 
William Van Houten. A postoffice, with Seveir 
Lewis as postmaster, was estal)lished at Windsor 
about the 10th of November. Captain Stephen 
Smith, one of the pioneer American settlers in 
California, an<l owner of the Smith ranch in 
Bodega, died at San Francisco, on the Itith of 
November. He was a native of Danforth, 
Massachusetts, and aged sixty-nine years. But- 
ter from the Petaluma dairies, which were 
already famous thi-oughout the State, was worth 
si. 25 per jionnd in Sacramento. 

Between the dates of December 15, 1855, and 
March 1, 185('), appears the following: On Jan- 
nary 5th the following were installed officers of 
Betahima Loili;e, I. ( ). O. F. : 1). 1). Carder, 
N. G.; S. Payran..V. (i.;.I. 11. Siddons, Jl. S.; 
J. K. Cramer, P. S.; M. II. Jose, T.; J. E. (Jed- 
ney, C; R. Phinney, W. ; Ge irge Harris, li. S. 
N.'g.; Abraham Ward, L. S. N. (i.: \. K. 
Vietz, R. S. V. G.; John Stiitman, L. .^. \ . (i.; 
Thomas C. Gray, R. S. S.; James B. Il.igle, L. 
S. S. The new county buildings at Santa Rosa 
were completed about the 25th of December. 
Among the new Petaluma advertisements were 
E. F.Martin, groceries; G. P. Kellogg, dagner- 
rean artist; Robinson it Doyle, stable and stock 
yard; (tus Harris, groceries, dry goods, hard- 
ware, crockery, etc. On the 23d of January 
Mr. Schwartz exhibited to the editor of the 
Joirrnal half an ounce of gold taken from the 
Bodega Mines. It was of a rough, coarse char- 
acter, and of a rusty color, but very pure, and 
worth ^111 per oimee. On the 31st of January, 
James HoUonsby, a native of New York, and 
twentv seven vears of atfe was killed near Peta- 



luma by the accidental discharge of his gun. 
In February, a military conipanj' was organized, 
called the Petaluma Guard, with the following 
officers: Captain P. B. Hewlett; First Lieu- 
tenant, J. II. Siddons; Second Lieutenant, 
Frank Bray; Brevet Lieutenant, Thomas F. 
Baylis; First Sergeant, F.J. Benjamin; Second 
Sergeant, M. JI. Jose; Third Sergeant, G. B. 
Mathews; l'"onrth Sergeant, Warren G. Gibbs; 
First Corporal, O. T. Baldwin; Second Corporal, 
J. K. Cramer; Third Corporal, B. F. Cooper; 
Fourth Corporal, Samuel Brown. The company 
nninliered forty members, and offered to serve 
as a tire company if furnished with apparatus. 
On the 18th of February tJie Democracy met in 
mass convention at Santa Rosa, and elected M. 
E. Cook, Jasper O'Farrell, R. Harrison, P. R. 
Thompson, Josiah Moran, C. P. Wilkins and 
George Pearce as delegates to a State Conven- 
tion, to be held at Sacramento on the 5th of 
March. 

Between March 1 and June 7, ISotl, there 
was recoriled the following: At a meeting in 
Petaluma on the 15th of March it was decided, 
liy a majority of three, to incorporate. Thei'e 
is beginning to be manifested a bitter feeling 
between sellers and grant owners, as is evi- 
denced by several communications on each side 
of the question ; and on the 29th of March the 
Settler's Bill passed the California Senate. On 
the 5th of April there was reported trouble 
between tlu'(ireeii Valley and Tomales Indians, 
growing out of the killing of one of the former 
tribe, by one of the latter. The surrender of 
the offending Tomales Indian was demanded — 
if not delivered up war was lial)le to ensue. We 
find, however, no record of the war. On April 
19th Colonel A. C. Godwin, Julio Carrillo and 
J. Crane, directors of the Geyser Road Com- 
pany, made a report in which they mapped out 
what they believe to be a feasible route for a 
wagon road to those springs. April 26tli 
announcement is made that Captain Ray, with 
a large force of Indians is making rapid prog- 
ress in the construction of a road os'er Bald 
Mountains to the Geysers. In the Journal ot 



mSTORT OF SONOMA COUNTi'. 



tlie 3rd of IVIay appears tlie valedictory of 
Tliomas L. Thompson, as editor and proprietor 
— H. L. Weston being his successor. Judge J. 
E. McNear, a pioneer of California, and formerly 
county judge of Sonoma, died in San Francisco 
on the Cth of May. Tiie following new adver- 
tisements had a|ipeared of new lieginners in 
Petahima : A. Meyer, lessons in music and 
singing; A. Ayres, saddlery and harness; .lames 
Daly, groceries and provisions; William R. 
Wells, physician and surgeon; Israel Cook, 
brick-laying and plastering; (leorge J. J>aus- 
tetter. Union ISilliard Saloon; II. P. lleintzel- 
man, agent for steamer Genercd /rtfar?i(?y, plying 
between Petaluma and San Francisco; Ceorge 
Ross, dealer in paints, oils, varnish, etc. In 
the issue of June 5th mention is made of (lov- 
ernor Johnson's proclamation on account of the 
vigilance committee, declaring San Francisco 
in a state of insurrection, and ordering all per- 
sons liable to military duty to report to Majoi' 
General W. T. Sherman. On the 14th of June 
James King, of William, of the San Francisco 
BnUetin was shot, and died on the 20th. On 
the 22(1 Casey and Cora were hung by the vigi- 
lance committee, and on the 31st Vankee Sul- 
livan, the noted prize-fighter, held in durance 
vile by the vigilance committee, committed sui- 
cide. The nearness of Petaluma to San Fran- 
cisco rendered these occurrences of thrilling 
interest to her people. 

Petween the 7tli of May and 2d of August 
the following record is made: The value of the 
butter, cheese, and eggs produced and sold in 
the vicinity of Petaluma, Santa Rosa, and Rus- 
sian River, during the month of May, was esti- 
mated at $i)2,39!). The steamers I\at,' ILiiji:^ 
and General Kearnc;/ were rimning in opposi- 
tion, to San Francisco, at twenty-five cents and 
one dollai-, respectively, for passengers. The 
new advertisers for Petaluma were: Mrs. W. 
II. Parker, school for young ladies; Acton, 
Ste])hens i^' Parker, produce depot, and W. P. 
Ewing, Geyser Hotel. St. John's Fpiscimal 
Chnrcli, Petaluma, was organized July 31st, by 
the election of the following vestrymen: John 



Keyes, Tomales; Dr. T. Ilendley, San^a Rosa; 
D. D. Carder, V,o\. J. P. Ilewie, P. R. Thomp- 
son, and J. Thompson Iliiie, V'allejo Township; 
I. G. Wickersham, S. C. Ilaydon, and O. T. 
Baldwin, of Petaluma. 

The following is made up trom the last two 
nnmbers of Volume I of the Journal — the re- 
spective dates being August 9 and 10, ISytJ: 
At three o'clock on the morning of August 4th, 
a two-story fire-proof building on Main street, 
(occupying ground upon which now stands the 
northern portion of PhfPnix I 'lock) fell to tiie 
ground and was almost a complete ruin. The 
building was owned by Gowen & McKay, and 
was occupied on the first floor by L. (Chapman 
as a furniture store, and on the second by the 
Odd Fellows and Masons. The front of the 
building fell into the street and the north side 
Tipon the adjoining wooden building, owned 
and occupied by S. V. Ilaydon as a drug store, 
completely demolishing the bnilding and de- 
stroying the goods. The south wall slid down 
an embankment into the cellars in the two ad- 
joining lots, the e.\cavating of which caused 
the catastrophe. Mr. Ilaydon narrowly escaped 
being killed. The following names were ap- 
pended to a call for a Republican mass conven- 
tion to be held at Petaluma, on August 20, 
1850, the first convention called by that j^arty 
in Sonoma County: J. Chandler, S. W. Brown, 
M. Aines, M. I Human, J. N. Newton, A. C. 
Salter, L. Chapman, J. FL Fowler, J. Palmer, 
O. T. Baldwin, W. D. Bliss, L. M. Judkins, 
George Harris, O. Walker, J. F. Reed, John 
Fritsch, J. II. Masten, G. Warnei-, F. J. Penja- 
min, Hiram Luce, N. ( ). Start'ord, (t. (". Trues- 
dell, Joel Merchant, O. II. Lovett, Jacob (iilbert, 
John Wells, C. P. Hatch, J. L. Pickett, W. (;. 
Gibbs, F. C. Davis, R. Douglass, G. AV. Mowci-, 
W. C. Conley, (i. W. Barnard, William Z;iit- 
man, John .1. Bind, G. Barry, E. Linn, Pliilc- 
mon Hill, Freeman Parker, J. D. Thompson. 

With its issue of the 16tli of August, lSo(i, 
the ./o?/;vi(7/ closed the first year of its existence. 
This chapter culled from its columns, as con- 
fuse<l and broken-jointed as it is, will not be 



lllsroKY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



devoid of interest to those of onr pioneers still 
left, for in it is the names of a very large pro- 
pcrtidH (if those who helpeil to hiy the founda- 
tion of Sonoma County'sgreatnessand prosperity 
— many of wiiom have already passed over the 
summit, to the lllimitaMe vales of tlie hitlilen 
beyond. 

rill i.KVSKKS IN ISoti. 

As an ailendum to this record of 1855-'5t:i, as 
collated from the first volume of the Journal, 
we can fitly append the following, descriptive 
of the country and tiie (ieyser Springs as seen 
in 185fi. Tlie writer, in company with (t. W. 
Heed, afterward a rejiresentative in tlie Califor 
nia Legislature from Sonoma County, traveled 
from Two iiock Valley to the (leysers. We 
rode California mustangs, as at that time there 
was only a hriille trail to the Geysers. Then 
Major Ewing was the proprietor of those springs 
and the buildings were all of canvas. Mr. 
Reed (long >ince deceased), who had been onr 
companion in the mines, wrote for the Sonoma 
County Jdiiniiil the following sketch of our trip: 

" Ho, for the (ieysersi" shouted my friend. 
'•Aye, for the (Jeysers," was the hearty re 
spouse. A few minutes hasty preparation ami 
we bade adieu to our friends, sprang into oiii' 
saddles and soon were galloping o\er the liills 
at a break-neck speed. The morning was beau- 
tiful. A cloudless sky and a refreshing breeze 
lent additional splendor to the scenery, and 
imparted buoyanry and elasticity to our spirits. 
Onr horses caught a spark of the enthusiasm 
that liurned in the heart, and beamed from the 
eyes of their riders, (living them the rein they 
bore us rapidly over the undulating hills in the 
vicinity of the Two Uocks, till, descending a 
narrow detile, we entereil the beautiful valley of 
Santa Rosa. Here, shaded by the wide-spread- 
ing oaks, planted by the hand of nature to 
adorn this lovely valley, and refreshed by the 
breeze that played among their branches, onr 
horses sprang forward with redoubled speed, 
and as we glided rapidly along, the sturdy old 
oaks appeared to be whirling in a giddy dance. 
Evervthino- was heautv and animation. Numer 



ous herds of horses and cattle were seen on 
every side; some luxuriating on the rich pastur- 
age, and others ruminating in the cool shade, 
with an air of calm enjoyment. Occasionally 
the outlines of a neat white cottage, indistinctly 
seen through the dark, green foliage of a thick 
clump of oaks, tlireiv ijuiet home-like appear 
ances over the whole scene. Delighted with 
the beauties of the valley, we deviated from our 
direct course, and arrived at the village of Santa 
Rosa, at 4 o'clock v. m., and halted for the night. 

"Santa Rosa has a pleasant situation, and the 
buildings look neat and attractive, in the 
morning we started early. An hour'rj ride 
brought us to a low range of hills, passing 
tlirongh which, we entered the valley of Rus- 
sian River, wliich in appearance is not less 
animated and l)eautiful than Santa Rosa. Tra- 
veling up the valley, three hours" ride brought 
us to the Mountain House, here we halted for 
i-efreshments. At tliis point, the road leading 
to the (leysers turns into the mountains. After 
resting an hour, we commenced the ascent of 
the mount:nn. The road is good, and the ascent 
was easy. We soon stood upon the summit of 
liald Hill. Certainly not a very poetical name, 
yet I iloiiht whether many of the mountains, 
famous in history an<l classic literature, can 
present a view so full of lieauty and sublimity. 
Arriving at the summit oi' this mountain, the 
valleys of Santa Rosa and Kussian Rivei- lay 
like a map at onr feet. The country which we 
had .~o much admired iluring onr ride, was now 
all presented at a single view, and we stood gaz- 
ing on the scene spread out liefore us, in mute 
admiration. 

"Reared upon the Fertile bosom ot the -prai- 
rieil west," from our earliest childhood we have 
l)een accustomed to contemplate the untarnished 
beauties of nature, but never l)efore did onr eyes 
rest upon a landscape that excited such lively 
emotions, as the one now at our feet. The 
broad expanse of the fertile valley, covered with 
rich grass of a golden tint, and variegated by 
groves of spreading oaks, apparently artistically 
arrantfcd, through which the river wound its 



HISTORY OF SONOMA OOUNTY. 



12:! 



serpentine conrse, with its bright erystal waters 
sparivling in the sunlight, contrasted finely with 
the dark cloud of tog that obscured the more 
elevated hills in the background. The whole 
gorgeously illuminated by the rays of the 
declining sun, reminded us of Addison's descrip- 
tion of the ' Happy Isles ' that arc to be the 
• abode of good men after death.' 

"This delightful valley, destined tu be the 
happy home of thousands, is but sparsely popu- 
lated, and its resources un<leveloped. But the 
tide of immigration is setting thitherward. 
The busy hum of the industrious pioneers will 
soon be heard in the valley; and at the fii-st wave 
of the potent wand of the Anglo-Saxon race, the 
earth will yield her abundance; fields of grain 
will wave gracefully in tlie breeze, and cottages, 
school-houses ami clinrches, will spring up to 
adorn onr land; the merry voice of happy chil- 
dren will echo through the valley, and a pros- 
perous community, happy in the enjoyment of 
civil and religious liberty, will thank heaven 
that they have found a home in this fair region. 

" Prom this ])oint the road is rough and im- 
pa88il)le f'oi' carriages. The scenery suddenly 
changes, and nature puts on her > rudest form.' 
The mountains rear their bold, rugged fronts 
athwart the traveler's way, like colossal embattle- 
inents, looking in this magnificent display of 
nature's wontlers, to impede the ativancing steps 
of the adventurous intruder. .Not aware of the 
difKculties we had to encounter, we lingered too 
long by the way, and night spi-ead her dusky 
mantle o'er the mountains, while the most ditti- 
cult part of the journey was yet to be made. 
After a laborious march, at eight o'clock in the 
evening, very much fatigued, and with the ardor 
of our enthusiasm somewhat abated, we arrived 
at our ilestination. The hearty welcome and 
generous hospitality of the [u-oprietors soon 
rendered ns forgetful «if our fatigues, and re- 
stored onr usual good spirits. Aftei' a hearty 
sujjper and a pleasant chat, we retired to our 
room, and forgetful alike of pain or pleasure, soon 
yielded to the sweet embrace of the sleepy god. 

"With the earliest dawn, we sprang from our 



conch, and sallied forth with eager curiosity to 
take our first peep at the Geysers. We found 
ourself on a bench or flat in the side of the 
mountain. In front, and two hundred feet 
below, was a rocky canon, while above us. on 
either side, the mountains rose to tlie height of 
a thousand feet, with their tops gilded with the 
first rays of the morning sun, while twilight 
lingered in the depths below. Dense clouds of 
steam, impenetrable to the eye, obscured the 
opposite slo])e, and a loud stunning noise like 
steam escaping from a hundred boilers, echoed 
through the hills. Descending into the canon, 
we climbed up through a narrow chasm in the 
rock, and truly stood in a " theatre of wonders." 
On either side, the rocks rose abruptly, and 
steam whistled through every crevice, while 
under our feet we could hear the gurgling 
sound of the boiling fluid. The whole moun- 
tain appeared to tremble as though it floated on 
the surface of a boiling lake. Fi'oin an eleva- 
tion of two or three liundred feet, down to the 
bed of the stream that flows through the canon, 
boiling water and jets of steam are issuing 
through the fissures of the rock. A grander 
e.xliibition of the wonderful in nature is seldom 
seen. Its contemplation awes the heart bv a 
conscious pi-esence of sn])erior j)owers, ami 
involuntarily turns the mind to reflect upon the 
power and wisdom of the (ireat Author of the 
universe. Innumerable ages, buried in the 
oblivion of the past, have run their course since 
these boiling fountains first burst through the 
rocky liarriers of the mountain. Countless 
years rolled away, while their sublime thunder 
echot'il through the dreary solitude, uidieai'd bv 
the ear, or uuaj)proacheil by the footstep ol 
civilized man. lint henceforth the invalid, the 
devotee of jileasnre, and the idle and curious of 
everj' land, will flock thither ; • silks rustle, 
jewels shine,' and fashion's g.ay, heartless throuif, 
will move to and fro, as though their ephemeral 
pleasure were as eternal as the hills."" 

Mr. Ileed, who penned the above, has long 
since crumbled to dust, and yet how prophetic 
his words! Of those who have visited those 



HISTORY Op SONOMA dOlTNTT. 



same geysers and marveled at the wonders of 
nature's laboratory, liovv many, after fretting np 
and down life's stage for a brief period, have 
passed on, and that they ever lixed is only 
evideneed liy a slab of "dull cold inai'blcf 

TMI': I'K.TAIJ'MA illXTERS. 

In tlic fall of 18H0, the writer in company 
with six boon companions spent about half a 
month hunting on the boundarj' line between 
Sonoma and Mendocino counties. The following 
is his description of the country and the adven- 
tures of his party written at the time for the 
Sonoma County Journal : 

"In life there is uo enjoyment liowe'erit ni;iy ;il)oun(l, 
Like luinting tlirontrli llie wckkIIiimiIs witli liHes and wilh 
liounds." 

'• On Monthly morning, the 24th of Septem- 
ber, 181)0, there might have been seen, not 'a 
solitary' (a In eJames), but seven horsemen gal- 
loping across the low hills that intervene be- 
tween the city of Petaluma and the Santa Itosa 
plains. The guns that hung ]iendant tVom the 
saddle bows, and the sable specimen of the 
canine family that brought up the I'car. marked 
them as disciples of Nimrod intent on pleasure 
and adventure. In brief, the object of our little 
party was to leave the haunts of civilization, and 
in the wild freedom of the forest and excite- 
ment of the chase, seek oblivion from the every 
day cares of life. With a leader whose name 
is a terror to bruin, and a guide familiar 
with the intricate paths and by-ways that thread 
tlie almost nninhabited region lying between 
the head waters of Dry Creek and the C!oast 
Range, we naturally anticipated rare sport. 
Elated with the pros])ect before us, we gave 
loose rein to our horses, and they, as if imbued 
witii the spirit of their riders, went dashing up 
the Santa liosa Valley, bearing us over level 
plain and through orchard-like groves, that con- 
trasted strangely with the Sonoma Mountains 
to our right, with their buckskin scenery varia- 
gated by an occasional clump of evergreen oak, 
or the somber appearance of the red-woods in 
perspective to our left. About 11 o'clock we 
passed the village of Santa ilosa, county seat of 



Sonoma. It is located on Santa Rosa Creek, 
and presents a neat and tidy appearance. One 
peculiarity that strikes the traveler approach- 
ing this village, is the uniformity disjdayed in 
the architecture of its buildings, and the an- 
tique appearance of its gable chimneys that 
stand like shot towers exposed to the weather. 
A ride of five miles brought us to Mark West 
Creek. At the crossing of this stream the 
Campbellites were holding their annual meet- 
ing. Hitching our horses in an adjacent 
grove, and (li\'esting ourselves of our hunting 
accoutrements, we approached the camp. It 
was at the close of 11 o'clock service, and tiie \ast 
concourse of people were singing, perhaps with 
the spii-it, !)ut with little i-egard to melody. .V 
minister occupying a prominent position on a 
bench, was exhoi'ting the impenitent to 'l)e- 
lieve and be ba])tised,' and some ten or twelve 
responded to the call. As impressive as was 
the scene, its effect upon ns was connteraoti'd 
l)y one of the ministers volunteering the admo- 
nition to the new converts, that they must re- 
gard their • religious neighbors as their reli- 
gions enemies.' Such illiberality might justly 
be regarded as a relic of that proscripti\e age 
that must e\er be remembered as the gloomy 
morn that heralded the dawn of a brighter day. 
The attendance at this meeting was greater than 
perhaps at any meeting of similar charactei- in 
this region, and we were informed that between 
eighty and a hundred had united with the church. 
"As we wished to reach Healdsburg in season 
to perfect our arrangements for camp life, we 
remonnted and rode toward Russian River. The 
mountains on either side gradually closed in, 
narrowing the valley down until lost in undu- 
lating hills, which indicated our approach to 
the river. Russian River is a stream of con- 
siderable magnitude when swollen by the winter 
rains, but at present is almost lost by filtering 
through the cobble-stone and sand over which it 
flows. The bottom land along this river is 
justly celebrated for the corn it produces. We 
have seen tall corn on tlie western prairies, but 
none that would bear comparison with the corn 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



135 



of Russian River. At five in tlie evening we 
lialted before tiie Sotoyome, tlie only lionse of 
public entertainment in Ileaklsbnrg. This vil- 
laj^e might with propriety be dubbed the ' Vil- 
lage of Woods,' as it is completely embowered 
in a grove of oak and madrono, giving to it an 
air of quiet and seclusion really inviting to 
those used to the bustle and confusion of more 
populous places. Occupying a position just 
al)ovc the continence of Dry Creek and Iiussian 
River, it is the natural channel through which 
the produce of both valleys must pass, thus 
giving to it superior advantages as an inland 
town. Here it was necessary to lay in our sup- 
ply of provisions and ammuintion, as there was 
no trading post higher up on the route we de- 
signed taking. A couple of sacks of Hour, tea, 
coffee, and necessary condiments, with a keg of 
powder, lead, shot, etc., completed our outtit; 
and as we had already bargained for a pack ani- 
mal til convey it to its destination in the moun- 
tains, we smoked our jdpes and retired to i-est, 
felicitating ourselves on the pi'ospect of an early 
start in tlie morning. In this, however, we 
were disappointed, for when ready to start, the 
Hibernian that presided over i/iat livery stable 
informed us that the horse he designed ns to 
have was on a ranc/io some distance from town, 
that he had sent after it, and was confident it 
would be brought in sometime during the day. 
This was annoying — it overcame our captain's 
usual ecjuanimity, causing him, we are sorry to 
say, to use language 7U)t to be found in the 
Westminister catechism. We remonstrated — 
we threatened- informed him that one of our 
number was a lawyer by profession, and heavy 
on livery stable practice, but it was no go, and 
only called forth a proposition that he would 
let us have a horse if we would pay doul)le the 
stipulated price. This did not tend to molify 
us, and we left that stable vowing that we would 
jiatronize some other establishment on our re- 
turn. After a delay of a couple of hours, we 
started up Dry Creek Valley with our muni- 
tions packed by an ill-visaged, iiall-faced animal 
tliat wonlil havi' passed as a duplicate of the 



famous ' Rosinante.' A youthful and inconsid- 
erate member of our company was in the hal)it 
of urging him forward by exclaiming 'git u]> 
and git, old bally,' but our captain very prop- 
erly checked him, by reminding him of the fate 
of forty rude boys in a land that aliounded in 
bears. 

" It is about twelve miles from Ilealdsbui-g to 
the canon at the head of Dry Creek ^'alley. 
This valley consists of a rich loam formed by 
the decayed vegetation that is annually boi'ue 
down and deposited by the mountain streams. 
Its luxuriant fields of corn indicated its capacity 
to }noduce, and we are much mistaken if the 
(lay is far distant when hop and tobacco culture 
will claim the attention and jirove remuner- 
ative to those disposed to engage in it. At the 
head of the valley we bade adieu to ci\ilization 
and wagon roads, and taking the pack trail, be- 
gan the ascent of the rugged mountain. Onward 
and upward we toiled our way, some leading 
their horses, others preferring to let their's go 
ahead, therelty giving them the advantage of 
'tail holt' to assist them in their ascent. 
Before we reached the summit bandanas were 
ill requisition, and standing collars were meta- 
morphosed into drooping ' I'yrons.' .\s htbor- 
ions as was the ascent, we were amply i-opai<l 
by the extensive prospect that was opened to 
us, for as far as the e^'c could scan there was 
one confused jumble of mountains, clad with 
forests of redwood and fir, whose spiral to] s 
seemed to pierce the clouds. Ten miles ot 
rough roads lay between us and tlu' springs 
whei-e we designed ])itcliing camji that night, 
and urging oui' jaded hoi'ses forwartl along a 
tortuous trail that was liedg('(l in by chaparral 
and manzaneta thickets, we lialtcil at fi\e in tiie 
evening, weary and hungry. To picket oni' 
horses and build a camjt fire claimed our first 
attention; then camt; a scene worthy the jiencil 
of an artist. Men who were wont to turn up their 
noses at better victuals than graced the table ot 
'Dives,' might be seen devouring with avidity 
slices of bacon they had liroiled before the fire 
on the end of their ramroils; fratjrant coti'ee was 



I9fi 



iriHTOIlY OF SONOMA GOFNTV 



sipped from tin cups, and the clatter of knives 
and forks upon tin plates, gave evidence that 
ample justice was done to the repast, notwith- 
standing tiie absence of delf. Spreading oiii- 
•blankets upon the earth, and witii our heads 
pillowed upon our saddles and the starry 
heavens for a canopy, we consigned ourselves 
to the embrace of ' tired nature's restorer.' We 
were up by early dawn and ready to take the 
trail leading to Flat Ridge, ten miles distant. 
The springs at which we camped, our guide in- 
formed us were without a name, and we chris- 
tened them 'Hunter's Springs.' 

" As we ascended a sharp ridge that towered 
above the surrounding mountains, the sun rose 
bright and clear above the mountains to the 
eastward, and its retlection upon the dense sea- 
fog, that had settled in the canons and gorges of 
the mountains, gave iis a view grand and sub- 
lime. Seas, l)ays, and friths, were mixed to- 
gether in admirable confusion. Their placid, 
mirror-like surface was unrippled by a breeze, 
and Minfurrowed by a keel.' l''or an hour we 
enjoyed the illusion, when the rays nf • Sol ' 
began to troulde the waters; at first, ripples 
appeared on the surface, then billow chased bil- 
low, and finally rising in fleecy folds, it floated 
heavenward revealing the wilderness of forest 
that had apparently iieen submerged. I'assing 
down a steep declivity toward Flat Ridge, we 
met with a mishap that might have materially 
atfected the sport of our company. Our keg of 
powder broke loose from its lashings, and went 
rolling down the mountains. As it disap])eared 
from view, disappointment and chagrin was 
visible on every countenance. The course it 
had taken was marked l)y a trail through the 
wild oats, with which the side of the mountain 
was clad, as if a boa-constrictor had taken its 
flight down the mountain. Taking the trail of 
our fugitive casket, we found it on a bench of 
the mountain five hundred yards distant, snugly 
ensconced in a bunch of. fern. We halted at 
Flat Ridge, and cooked dinner; then resumed 
our march for the Buckeye Springs, eight miles 
distant, where we designed going into perma- 



nent (juarters. Crossing the east fork of the 
Gualala and bearing toward the coast in the 
region of • Point Arenas,' we arrived at Buck- 
eye and pitched camp at four in the evening. 
As late as the hour, we could not restrain our 
impatience for the chase, and hurriedly unsad- 
dling our horses, and turning them loose to 
graze upon the lu.xuriant oats and clover with 
which our camp was surrounded, we sallied 
forth, some with rifles, others with shot-guns, 
each intent mi some daring e.xploit; but our 
zeal resulted in nothing, save that one of jiarty, 
armed with a fowling-piece, was reconnoitering 
a manzaneta grove for quail, when he suddeidy 
found himself face to face with a hugh bear, 
who was standing upon his hind legs quietlv 
reconnoitering him ; but as his piece was charged 
with quail shot, he did not deem it prudent to 
get into an affray with him, and acting on the 
principle that •' discretion was the better part 
of valor," he made tracks for camp. His bear- 
ship, notwithstanding his Heenan attitude, did 
not appear to be pluck, for u])(in i-etu ruing to 
the spot armed with rifles, it was discovered he 
had ingloriously forsaken the field. (>urcam]) 
was on a ridge that formed the divide between 
tlie east and west Gualala, and had been occu- 
pied by some adventurous stockjnan, who had 
erected and occupied a temporary shanty, but 
finding it an unprofitable speculation, had 
moved with his flocks to some other section ot 
the countiy, leaving the ' liuekeye House ' as 
a standing monument to his folly. We took 
formal possession of the premises, and made the 
house answer the doul)le purpose of dining 
room and sleeping apartments, whilst a hollow 
redvvood tree close by was converted into a 
magazine. After the usual routine of camp 
duty was dispatched, all hands were busy in 
running balls, cleaning guns, and making all 
needful preparations for the next day's sport. 
One after another, after having put their rifles in 
a condition, as they believed, to drive the center 
at any given distance, joined the circle around 
the camp fire, and the wreaths of smoke tliat 
circling aloft from half a dozen pipes, assuming 



EISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



all kinds of fantastic sliajjes, appeared to be the 
signal for stories of adventure and hairbreadth 
cscajjes. Our LTuide took the lead by recounting 
iticideiits that had occurred in that region- of 
two brothers out luinting. one shooting the 
other's arm ott", mistaking him for a deer; of a 
man hitciiing his mule close to the chaparal, 
to hunt down a cafion, and retnrning was de- 
ceived as to locality, and seeing his mule in tiie 
brush shot him supposing him to be a grizzly 
i>car: and several other incidents of like nature. 
Another member of the company related an 
instance of a hunter shooting a cow mistaking 
her for a sijuinvl; but the palm was awarded to 
our captain who relateil a circumstance of a 
jiarty of hunters of Santa Clara, going to the 
mountains to hunt bear, taking with them a 
donkey to pack bear; but who returned in a 
ehort time bringing with them the pack-saddle, 
the bears having unceremoniously packed off 
the donkey. The next day we scoured the 
forests and delved into dark canons in i^uest of 
^auie. AVe did not find deer as plenty as w'e 
had anticipated, l)ut every member of our com- 
pany managed to get a shot during the day, and 
each maintained that he had hit his deer, but 
owing to causes he could explain satisfactorily 
to themselves, the stricken deer eluded their 
grasji. Two of our company, however, more for- 
tunate than the rest, brought in substantial 
tokens of tlieir skill with the ritle. aixl that 
night there was atlded to the liill of I'arc of the 
I Buckeye House' roast \enison. venison stew, 
venison steak and broiled venison. The reverber- 
ations of our rifles through the mountains, 
awaked the solitudes and rendered the game 
weary. Deer had to be hunted from their lair 
in the underbrush, and the bear scented danger 
when afar off, and when seen were generally 
out of range of rifle shot, and showing a dis- 
position to avoid close ])ro.ximity to their new 
neighbors. Two of our company, hunting to- 
gether one day, however, were fortunate enough 
to surprise a black bear when up a tir tree 
lopping acorn's from an oak. whose branches 
intei'locked the fir. A AmA from a small riHe 



that carried a ball but a size larger than a buck- 
shot, caused him to let all holds go and drop to 
the earth, but did not prevent his flight. 
Hunter number two, to use his own language, 
'shot at the dust bruin kicked up,' but with 
no other effect than to accelerate his speed 
down the mountain. 

"At the end of the week the > smoke house' 
wc had extemporized was filled to overflowing 
with snmked venison, and we decided to move 
camji to ' iiear liidge,' eight miles distant, 
hojiing there to gratify our penchant for bear 
hunting, as we had already began to regard deer 
as rather small game. We did not take our 
departure from Buckeye without regret, and the 
week we spent there will always be looked back 
to by us as an oasis in life's desert. There is 
much in that region well calculated to arouse 
the enthusiasm of descriptive writers, but as we 
have neitbei' space nor talent wc consign 'llie 
task to some more facile pen. The most prom- 
inent land-mark in that region is the ■ Uock 
Pile,' three miles west of Buckeye, it being a 
conical shaped mountain fornied of massi\e 
rocks, and entirely destitute of vegetation. It 
both serves as a guide to hunters, and stands 
sentinel over a grave at its base, where rests an 
unfortunate adventurer, who was murdered hy 
an Indian two years since. 

"On our arrival at Bear Kidge, wc found, a- at 
Ibickeye, an untenanted cabin, of which we 
took possession; but there was a history con 
nected therewith that was recorded with the 
crimson current of life upon the floor and rude 
bed in the corner, that for a time cast a shadow 
o\er our party. Our guide informed us that 
al)out si.x months pi-evious two men not resi- 
dents there, were luinting on the ridge — that 
one was shot by the accidental xlischarge of his 
rifle, the ball tearing ott" one of his hands and 
entering his side. He was borne to the caliin 
and a surireon sent for from Healdslmrg. lie 
lingered thirty hours, and the surgeon arrived 
just in time to see him breath his last. Beneath 
the wide spread branches of a chestnut-oak. a 
short distance from the cabin, he sleeps his last 



niSTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



long sleep. Kemoviiig, as far as possilile, all 
traces of the unfortunate sufferer, we occupied 
tlie cabin four days. As yet, we had failed to 
t-iglit a bear on i>ear Ridge, altliough we had 
added the carcasses of several deer to our larder. 
Our ease was becoming a desperate one, for we 
had baked the last of our flour, and worse still. 
our supply of tobacco was exhausted. It was 
Saturday morning, and we debated tlie pro- 
priety of subsisting upon meat alone for one day, 
rather than enter Healdslturg on Sabbath even- 
ing; but tobacco turned the scale, and it was 
voted to pack up and start, when it was dis- 
covered that one of our horses liad decamped 
during the night. By means of a trail made by 
a picket rope attached to the horse it was dis- 
covered tiiat it had taken an opposite direction 
from tiie trail by which we had entered, and 
three of our party started in pursuit. After an 
absence of two hours they returned, not only 
having the good fortune to lind the horse, but 
having shot a deer and also a large brown bear. 
This streak of good luck was hailed with delight 
by all, for it had not only enalded our company 
to return with a bear skin as a trophy of the 
chase, but quieted the nerves of individual 
members who disliked to return to their ' lady- 
loves' without the promised bottle of ' bar's 
ile,' with which to anoint their raven or golden 
locks, as the case might be. "We had achieved 
the object of our party, — our success was equal 
to our anticipations, and loaded down with 
venison, we commenced our homeward iiiiiieh. 
Before bidding a tinal adieu to I'ear liidge, 
we wish to note the existence on that and 
surrounding ridges of a species of timber we 
had supposed did not exist in California, we 
refer to the old-fashioned chestnut. The fruit 
is not yet ripe, but the ground under some of 
the trees is covered with !)urs that have been 
detached by the wind and birds. Some of the 
trees are two feet in diamater and remarkably 
tall, which to our mind precludes the idea, as sug- 
gested by some, of their being • chincapins.' 
"We halted at Flat Ridge, and were laid under 
lasting obligations to a resident stockman, who 



shared with us his tobacco and flour. "We will 
ever hold him in grateful remembrance, and 
may his shadow never grow less. As we had 
to make a forced march in order to reach 
Ilealdsburg that night, we were in the saddle 
bi-ight and early, and had soon surmounted a 
ridge from which we had a last view of our 
hunting grounds. Here our attention was 
called to a large madrone tree, close to the trail, 
npon which were carved various initials, wliich 
were almost obliterated by the growth of the 
tree; but high up and in legible characters, was 
inscribed 1841. As we rode onward, we could 
not but contrast the present California with the 
California of 1841, and wonder if they who left 
their record on the madrone tree have been 
spared to witness the change. As we drew 
near to Ilealdsburg the cravings of appetite 
increased our desire to patronize ' mine host ' 
of the Sotoyome; but again we were doomed to 
disappointment in Ilealdsburg; for the Sotoy 
ome and many other buildings had crumbleil 
before that ruthless element that has prostrated 
so many of California's fair villages; and so 
complete had been our isolation, that a week 
had elapsed since it was destroyed, and yet we 
had no intimation of the occurrence until we 
entei'ed the village. In the absence of a hotel, 
we resorted to a restaurant, and if the propri- 
etor made a profit on that meal, we are inclined 
to believe he will get rich, for seven hungrier 
men never entered that burg. We returned to 
Petaluma after an absence of sixteen days, feel- 
ing refreshed and rejuvenated by our camp life. 
In conclusion we will say to those afllicted with 
the dyspepsia, or any other fashionable disease, 
try Buckeye Camp two weeks, and if it does not 
effect a cure, why then prepare, for your end 
draweth nigh." 

Such was the experiences of the writer 
twenty-eight years ago in the regions described; 
and yet, long after he has passed away the sharp 
report of the sportsman's rifle will ring through 
those same forests, for those dark canons and chap- 
arral covered mountanis will ever aft'ord a safe 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



r;j,jp , JH^rJ,-',J^,^';3;:jPrJ^r^r>.-'l -'r J r J |-lrJr J?»?Ji , 




m 



CHAPTER XIII. 

iMMIi.KATiii.N I'olKS I.NTn SiiNnMA ColNTV KVKKV \(H)I< AM) COKNKK OK TMK COINTY UCI ITIED 

THK (ML.Mln- DKIWIIKN I'ETAr.U>[A AND l>Ol)E(;A KKl IIKII. ilK I'dTATuKS, liAKI.KV, WHEAT AM) 

DAIS Santa Rosa and Rissian Rivkk Valleys i-uodijc the he wheat axd ( ok.n — ihe yeak 

1864 — LAM) TKOUIiLES — THE Boi)E<;A WAR THE II KA LI )Sllli IK, W Ali Th E MuLDUEW SlIAUoW 

THE Miranda <;i;axt -the T'o-ioRtjuEs (iHANT. 



rf>TP to 1855 SoiioHiii roiiiity was in a coiuli- 
:*l}'jl tion of confused transition from almost 
^5P^ iiiitivo wilds to permanent civilized occn- 
]);unjy. AVliili' the county was largely covered 
hy y|)aiiisli yrants. yet the holders of such, as a 
class, had not yet accjuired flocks and herds to 
occupv their broad acres, and the adventurous 
Americans very often located within the lines 
of such grants with as little reverence as though 
settling upon government land. The grant 
holders, as a class, had little idea of land value, 
and many of them were willing to accept from 
settlers on their domain very moderate prices 
for the laud. Many, if not most of the settlers, 
got their land at prices not much above what 
they Would have had to pay had it been go^ern- 
inent land. There were c.vccptions, however, to 
tills rule, and in a few instances there was con- 
sideral)lc friction and trouble between settlers 
and grant owners, but this will be referred to 
later on. 

.Vbout 1855 a tidal-wave of immigration seemed 
to sweep over yonoma County, and it was really 
a marvel how soon every nook and corner of the 
county available for farming or grazino; was 
ferretted out and occupied. It was now families 



seeking homes who came, and following their 
coming school-houses and churches began to 
multiply. In truth, within the space of a few 
years, Sonoma County became one of the most 
I prosperous agricultural counties of the State. 
At first, famous for her Bodega potatoes, she 
I soon took first rank among the graiii-growini,'' 
and dairying counties in the State. 

In tlie space of a few years towns and villages 
came foi-ward with marvelous growth. J'eta- 
luma as a shipping point made rapid strides. 
Santa Rosa as the county seat was making siib- 
\ stantial progress. Ilealdsburg, where in 185-1 
! had been but a residence and blacksmith shop, 
I became a thriving village, and Cloverdale began 
to show evidence of its future destiny. Sonoma, 
; ever famous as a center around wiiich clustered 
historic memories, became far-famed for her 
productive veneyards. l^odega, old in her de- 
velopment there in connection with Russian 
occupation, took a new lease of life, and Hoilega 
Bay was whitened by a fleet of sails that carried 
her products to the San Francisco market. 
lUoomtield surrtuinded by as fei'tile a country as 
the sun ever sone upon became the center of a 
populous and pros|)erous farming district. 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



In tlmse days the fatness was exuding from 
tlic !-t-iil of Sunoina County, and tlie crops 
gathered tlierefroin were abundant to the full 
measure. While the growing of potatoes coast- 
wise, e(_immencing with Two Rock Valley and 
extending to iJodega was yet a large industry, 
the irrowing of wheat, barley and oats soon 
took precedence and became a source of great 
profit to farmers. Farming of whatever kind, 
whether the growing of potatoes or cereals was 
usually conducted on a large scale. Fifty or a 
hundred acres of jiotatoes was not considered a 
large plant, and of grain it was no uncommon 
thing for a farmer to plant any where from one 
to three hundred acres, and a large farmer often 
went far beyond this. Our favorable sea- 
sons for seeding and planting of such vast 
crops was made easy by the improvements in 
farming imj)lemeuts, but the gathering of such 
vast crops often taxed to its utmost capacity the 
labor attainable. For potato digging, the rem- 
nant of the almost extinct Intlian tribes of this 
region were brought into re(juisitioti, and be- 
came quite effective aids in farming. The 
writer once had in employ twenty-two Russian 
River Indians, and found them excellent potato 
diggers. During the season tif gathering 
potatoes these dusky childi-en of nature used to 
perform a large portion of that kind of labor. 
But the vices of civilization was fast thinning 
their ranks, and in the course of years Chinese 
labor stepped in and did the main portion of the 
drudgeries ot farm work. 

The main valleys through the center of the 
county, Petaluma. Santa Rosa and Russian 
River were always devoted maiiily to the grow- 
ing of grain. The wealth- of grain produced 
by the virgin soil of these rich valleys is almost 
incalculable. Russian River Valley in a very 
early day jiroved its worth as a corn producing 
region, and in later years became famous for 
the ])roduction of hops. A writer some years 
ago drew the following pen picture of the Rus- 
sian River Valley: 

" For more than sixty miles in length Russian 
River before taking its tinal westerly course to- 



ward the ocean, perambulates from Mendocino 
County southerly through one of the widest 
and truly alluvial valleys in the State. As a 
corn growing country it is probably without a 
rival on the J'acitic coast, and a good corn 
country can always be relied upon as suitable 
for a large share of the staple products of tem- 
perate climes. 

•'We see, therefore, along this great alhnial 
belt, the whole family of cereals cultivated with 
singular success, and in the main cjuite free 
from smut, or injury from climatic influence. 
As far as any attemj)ts have been made to grow 
fruit, it succeeds admirably. Along the bor- 
ders of the \ alley, at the foot of the range of hills 
that bound it on either side, the vine flourishes 
luxuriantly, i)roducing grapes of fair size and a 
flavor of peculiar richness; and we cannot but 
believe that the time is near at hand when the 
acres of vineyards aloug this great valley may 
be counted by hundreds, if not thousands. 
What the effect of climate may be upon the 
health of vines and fruit trees along the more 
central [iortions of the valley, remains to be 
seen. Of the indigenous forest trees, the decid- 
uous oak predominates largely; and throughout 
nearly the entire extent of the valley may be 
seen this monarch of our lowland forests, in its 
wide-spreading, but varied and beautiful forms, 
standing apart and alone, or clustered in beauti- 
ful groups of a score or more upon a single 
•acre; and though at this season of the year 
without a single leat, all are draped in their 
beautiful pale green, mossy livery, that, pendu- 
lous from every twig and limli, imparts a mel- 
lowed softness to the breeze, that alike in 
summer and winter gently sweeps along the 
valley." 

Taking the decade-aiid-a-half between 1855 
and 1870, farming in Sonoma County achieved 
its greatest results. Of course, there were 
variableness of seasons and prices, but taken as 
a whole the results were more tlian highly satis- 
factory. In the single season of 18B4 the 
farmers literally gathered a harvest of gold. 
That yea)' the whole southern portion of Cali- 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



tbrnia was made barren by a drought. Here 
tlie crops were good, and wheat was sold at all 
the way from three to four iiiul-a-half cents pur 
liouiid. Even renters, who had [)ut in large 
crops on shares, found themselves coniparatively 
rich at the end ot" the season. 

The productiveness of our farms and the ac- 
cumulatinir wealth from dairy products and 
Ntock-raising were promotive of other industries 
and created in the people a desire for advance 
from the primitive surroundings that had 
marked their early-life struggles. Ornate coun- 
ti'y homes began to multiply, and the county 
from end to end began to show the evidences of 
])ermanency and solidity. This was not con- 
fined to the large valleys along the line of lead- 
ing tlioroughfares; in every little gem of a 
valley, sandwiched in among the hills and moun- 
tains, there was manifested a growing taste in 
the direction of more comfort and convenience 
in home surroundings. 

This advancement was made in the lace and 
teeth of ditticulties and discouragements seldom 
encountered by the pioneer settlers of any other 
country. As lias already been stated, many of 
the settlers went upon lands claimed as Spanish 
grants, hut of which the titles had not yet been 
adjudicated by the United States Government. 
In the early fifties a commission, consisting of 
three members, had been appointed to investi- 
gate these titles, and otdy such as passed mus- 
ter under their examination got standing in 
court, and were started on the tortuous way to 
the court of final resort at Washington City. 
The ijcnnineness of title to niany of these yrants 
\\eri; nf very fishy odor. Cnder the treaty of 
(Tuadalupe Hidalgo the United States Govern- 
ment had plighted its faith to give due credence 
to all genuine grants made by duly accredited 
authority of the Mexican go\ernment. This 
the government certainly did to the full measure. 
Elsewhere is published a list of the Spanish 
grants that in whole, or in ]iar% fell within the 
lines of Sonoma County. We have also j)ointed 
out the evidences of pwmaneiit habitation witiiin 
the boundai'ies(jf the county at the time Sonoma 



was captui'etl. It was for the courts, and nut 
the histoi'ian, to j)ass upon the validity of these 
giants. Jf there was wholesale perjury in- 
dulged in to secure many confirmations, that is 
now a matter between the consciences of wit- 
nesses and their (4od. It is now all happily 
passed, and all land titles are in perfect I'ejiose. 
All now buw to the rule. Stare (lecisi-<. 

I!ut it is the province of history to recite 
events the outgrowth of these confiicting lanil 
titles. There were numerous "Settlers' Leagues" 
organized to resist the confirmation of many of 
these grants. Lawyers were always to be found 
who would, for a liberal fee, give "squatters" 
on grants positive assurance that the grant was 
fraudulent and that he could " knock the bottom 
out of it." These leagues, in many instances, 
became secret conclaves, with all the pass-words 
aifd paraphenalia of secret oi-ganizations. That 
they should ultimate in resistance to legally 
constituted authorities was but natural. And 
even the claimants of grants sometimes were 
guilty of the assumption that they were higher 
than the law. While there had been a great 
deal of friction between settlers and grant hohl- 
ers the first serious collision occurred at Bodega. 
There was no end of land troubles in Sonoma 
County, growing out of occupation by settlers 
on what was believed to be fraudulent Sj)anisli 
grants. This led to a great deal of trouble, and 
ultimately to resistance to the mandates of law. 
To give the reader a clear conception of the real 
temper and feeling of the public at that time on 
this momentous (question we give the language 
of an editorial which appeared in the I'etaliima 
Journal of ]''ebruary 18, IHSH: 

"It is boldly asserted tliat there are eighty 
land grants in this State, which can be proved 
to have been forged and sworn thus far through 
the courts by perjury. They lie it is stated, in 
twenty-seven counties, and cover the homes of 
nearly 5,000 settlers. AVhether there are any 
located in this county, we are not informed. It 
would be a strange transaction if there are not. 
Our location, and the wull-known i-ichno^s of 
soil, would certainly be a >trong bait t" tempt 



132 



HIliTOnT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



the palate of the greedy land cormorants wlio 
have perpetrated these wholesale frauds. It 
therefore becomes all well-ineaiiiiig and right- 
thinking citizens to join wit!) their brethren of 
San Francisco, in the work of ferreting ont and 
exposing these fraudulent grants. To this end 
let every person remonstrate against the j)assage. 
by the Assembly, of tlie iniquitous and unjust 
resolution which was spawned by Senator Will- 
iams, petitioning Congress for the passage of a 
law to prevent reviews in cases wliere patents 
have issued; or in other words asking of Con- 
gress to screen the actual robber, and protect 
the receiver of stolen property under the name 
of ' bona tide purcliasers and encumbrancers.' 
Where, we ask, can a parallel be found to this 
act? Rob and defraud Uncle Sam of the public 
domain and then ask him to desist from investi- 
gation, the object of which is to prove the theft; 
and all because the receiver of stolen goods may 
lie a sufferer I As infamous as are the inten- 
tions of Mr. Williams' move, we nevertheless 
see the Senate passing favorably upon it. If we 
mistake not, our own representative in that body 
was among its supporter. A knowledge of the 
unscrupulous intentions of these landgrabbers' 
has clearly disclosed to settlers the precipice 
over which they are being rutldessly hurried. 
A just and proper spirit of resistance to the 
attempt is beginning to manifest itself in vari- 
ous sections. Meetings are being lield, reso- 
lutions of disproval of Mr. Williams' ' substi- 
tute ' passed, and Anti-Grant Leagues formed. 
If moderation and temperance of action pre- 
dominate, as we trust will be the case, immense 
good will result to the people at large. The 
recent developments in the Santillan claim, is 
conclusive evidence of this fact. Let a union of 
action be made and time and investigation will 
rend the screen that now obscures and darkens 
the homes of scores of the people of California. 
We shall look with confidence to our representa- 
ti\es in the Assembl)', to aid in arresting the 
passage of the resolution by that body." 

In continuance of the same subject the -Jvur- 
«'^? of Februarv 25, 1859, said: 



"Bv reference to another column, it will be 
seen that the people in this locality are begin- 
ning to move in the work of exposing the alleged 
land frauds, and of heading General Williams 
and Judge lialdwin in their infamous attempt 
to rob and despoil the people of California. In 
the eagerness of these pliant tools of Liinantour, 
I'reinont, etc., to do the bidding of their heart- 
less and unscrupulous masters, they have moved 
in so bold and hasty a manner as to neglect that 
precaution so necessary to successful villainy — 
the covering up and secreting of all evidence of 
evil intent. The object sought is too obvious 
to pass unnoticed by the most obtuse. As a 
natural conse(|uence, this course on the part of 
the land claimants, has aroused a just and pro- 
per spirit of opposition on the part of the people. 
The final result of this struggle, will, we believe, 
be the securing to the public domain of leagues 
upon leagues of land now claimed by land 
sharpers under forged titles. That many of 
these fraudulent claims are located on this side 
of the bay, we are told there no longer e.xists a 
doubt. Justice then demands that our people 
move with a united effort in exposing these 
frauds. 

"A brief reference to the land-claim history of 
California, presents some startling facts. In the 
year 1849 William Cary Jones was sent to Cali- 
fornia by the authorities at Washington, with 
instructions to ascertain the number and extent 
of Spanish land grants. In his report he states 
the result of his investigation to be the dis- 
covery of five hundred and seventy-six grants, 
large and small, several of which was unfinished. 
Of this number, several were afterward proved 
fraudulent and rejected. Upon the establish- 
ment of the land commission, no less than eight 
hundred and thirteen claims were filed in before 
it for action ! A writer in the Alta., asserts 
that Mr. Jones informed him that after he had 
returned to Washington, he was offered *20,000 
to insert in his rejiort one grant — fraudulent of 
course, and for which they wished a record in 
order to give it some show of validity I Com- 
ment is unnecessary. The facts alone tell the 



HIbTOBT OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



133 



whole story, and bid our (iitizens to be up and 
doing." 

The tii'st of these coiitliets over land titles 
tiiat assuuietl a very tlirealeiiiiig aspect was in 
June of 1859, and the scene of the disturl>ance 
was Hodega ranch. The foiiovving in a state- 
ment of the case and what occurred as touiid in 
tiie Sonoma County Jonriinl of June 3d, 185'J: 

IIIE lioDKOA WAl:. 

"The original grantee of tliis ranch was Caj)- 
tain Stephen Smith, who claimed by grant 
eight leagues of land, which amount was con- 
firmed to him In' the Hoard of Land Commis- 
sioners. He tlien leased to Uethuel Phelps & 
Co. the right to cut and manufacture into lum- 
ber tlie red-wood belonging to the said eight 
leagues of land, for a term of ninety-nine years, 
for the sum of $65,000. Phelps & Co., imme- 
diately took possession of the lands so leased, 
and still continue in possession of the same. 
After setting apart to I'helps & Co. their leased 
portion of the claim, there was left a large tract 
of agricultural lands outside of said eight 
leagues, claimed l)y no one. which was then set- 
tled upon and divided up into (piarter sections. 
Thus matters stood at the death of Captain 
Smith. We would here state, that various sur- 
veys have lieen made from time to time by dif- 
fererit parties and among them one by Clement 
Co.\, United States Deputy Surveyor, in accord- 
ance with which the grant was finally patente<l. 
Some time after the death of Captain Smith. 
Mr. Curtis married the widow of Captain Smith, 
and became administrator of the estate and 
guardian of the minor heirs, thus becoming a 
party interested in the dispute. 

'• Some three months since, Mr. Tyler Curtis, 
on beiialf of himself and the heirs of Captain S. 
Smith, obtained judgment on a writ of eject- 
ment (by default) against forty-eiglit of the 
settlers on the Bodega ranch. Tlie writ of 
ejectment and restitution recpiired the sheritt' to 
dispossess the settlers, and keep possession for 
ei.xty days. ( )n Tuesday evening the sheriff, 
nnaccomj)'inie<l by any one, went to Bodega 



intending to execute the writ on Wednesday 
morning. 

"On Tuesday evening Mr. Curtis, accom- 
panied by Mr. Nuttman, of San Francisco, and 
forty-eight men, arrived here and immediately 
took passage in coaches ft)r Bodega, where they 
arrived at live o'clock on Wednesday morning. 
The citizens of Petaluma, being ignorant of all 
the })roceedings in the case were at a loss to 
know the why and the wherefore of this great 
influx of armed men; and, failing to get satis- 
factory replies to their interrogatories, furtiier 
than that the j)arty were bound for Jiodega, 
were at once led to suppose that the crowd had 
been brought here for the purpose of taking for- 
cible possession of Bodega ranch. By nine 
o'clock in the evening the e.xcitement ran high, 
and about twenty men, armed and accoutred, 
started for the scene of action, arousing all the 
settlers as they passed along, who at once joined 
them, to render aid to their brethren, if found 
necessary. A messenger had been promptly 
dispatched to Bodega to inform the settlers on 
that ranch of what was going on. lie reached 
there at midnight, and found them entirely 
ignorant of the movements of Mr. Curtis and 
his satelites. So rapid and prompt were their 
movements that by the time Curtis' ' fighting 
men' had arrived some eighty or ninety set- 
tlers had collected, which number, by nine 
o'clock, A. M., was augmented to 250 or 300. 

"Early in the morning, it being ascertained 
that the sheriff had arrived tlie evening pre- 
vious, a conimittee waited upon him to ascer- 
tain the object of his visit. lie stated that he 
came there to discharge his duty as an officer, 
which was, to put Mr. Curtis in possession of 
his property; lie denied having anything to do 
with the forty-eight men brought there by 
Curtis, or even having any knowledge of their 
coming; and promised as soon as l)reakfast was 
over to go where the settlers were assembled 
and see them. This he did. A committee of 
ten was appointed ti) confer with him. which 
resulted in a stay of all proceedings for two 
hours, giving Sheriff ( ireen time to confer with 



HrSTiiRr OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Mr. Curtis, and convey to liini the wishes and 
will of the assemblage. Before the expiration 
of the two hours the sheriti' returned without 
any (Satisfactory answer, so far as Mr. Curtis 
was concerned; but for himself, declining to do 
anything in the matter, believing that the inju- 
dicious course pursued by Mr. Curtis, absolved 
him from the necessity of attempting to carry 
out liis instructions at that time. 

" ,\ committee of the citizens was then ap- 
pointed to wait on Mr. Curtis, whose instruc- 
tions were to inform him that tiiey considered 
he had committed a gross outrage upon the citi- 
zens of this county, and the settlers in particu- 
lar, in having brought there, from a neighboring 
town, an armed body of citizens, in violation of 
law and good order, and for purposes which 
could not be recognized or tolerated; and to de- 
mand their immediate return to the place from 
whence they came. To this peremptory demand 
Mr. Curtis demurred, believii^g, as he said, that 
tlie citizens were misinformed, and were unnec- 
essarily excited, and acting from a mistaken 
sense of duty; and that if they, the committee, 
would guarantee him protection from insult, he 
and I\[r. Nuttman would accompany them to 
the place of meeting, and explain the cause and 
motive of their procedure. Tiiey accordingly 
accompanied the committee and made an ex- 
planation, Mr. Curtis alleging that in employing 
these men, he did so with no intention of otter- 
ing an indignity or insult to the citizens of this 
county, but merely for the purpose of aiding 
himself in retaining possession of property 
which he thought to be justly his by the de- 
cisions of the legal tribunals of his country, 
when Sheriff Green, in the discharge of his duty, 
siiould give him such possession; and not for 
the purpose of taking forcible possession, or 
doing any overt act; and that he was willing to 
meet the settlers at any time and compromise 
all matters at variance, and lease them the lands 
on which they reside, at one-half the price for 
which lands on other ranches are leased. Mr. 
Muttinan then repudiated all connectiim with 
the 'lighting-men," and stated tiiat his visit to 



the county was for no particular or special 

object. 

"The demand for the removal of the armed 
forces was again made to Mr. Curtis, with a re- 
fusal to treat on any subject, until after their 
return. xVfter a few minutes conference with 
the sheriff, and one or two others, Mr. Curtis 
consented to their return, he paying the ex- 
penses of their transjiortation from there to »San 
Francisco. This ended the matter, so far as he 
was concerned. Wagons were then procured, 
and the 'deceived braves" and their two boxes 
of i/ovemment rifles (previously shipped from 
San Francisco, and directed to Tyler Curtis, 
Bodega), together with their ammunition and 
thirty days' outfit, started for Petaluma, accom- 
panied by one hundred or more of the settlers, 
where they arrived a little after dark, and were 
received by the firing of cannon and the liveliest 
demonstrations of joy at the happy and peaceful 
result of the injudicious and uncalled for move- 
ment. On Thursday morning they took their 
departure from this city for San Francisco, 
where it is to be hoped they will safely arrive, 
wiser, if not better men. In justice to the 
party we would state that those of them with 
whom we conversed, said that they were de- 
ceived in regard to the object of their mission — 
they believing it to be one of peace not war. 
During their sojourn liere their deportment was 
gentlemanly throughout." 

THK UKALIiSIUHG WAR. 

In 1862 the difficulties growing out tif sijuat- 
ter settlement on the Sotoyome Rancho, near 
Healdsburg, culminated in a resistance of the 
county authorities l)y the settlers. J. M. Bowles, 
yet a respected citizen of Petaluma, was their 
sheriff. Resistance was made to writs of eject- 
ment placed in his hands. The Petaluma An/us 
of July 19, 18(52, said editorially: 

'■Governor Stanford having declined tu inter- 
pose the gubernatorial authority until it had 
been made apparent that our county authorities 
are uueipial to the task of enforcing the laws, 
Slieritf Uowles has summoned fi posse eiDuitctux 



IITSTOnY op l<OKOMA COVNTY 



of about 300, wlio are notified to report tliem- 
selves, 'armed and equipped as the law directs,' 
at Healdslmrcr (yesterday I Tuesday, tlie IJtli 
inst. As ominous as this nntbrtnnate dithcnlty 
may seem to persons abroad, we do not appre- 
liend tliat any very serious consequences will, at 
present, result therefrom; but it is one of those 
peculiar cases, so common in California, which 
may, unless remedied l)y wholesome and just 
legislation, eventuate in scenes of anarchy, de- 
structive alike to the moral and industrial well- 
being of the inhabitants of our fair State." 

The result of this actiou of Sherift' Bowles is 
thus graphically described by the Healdsburg 
correspondent of the Ari/i/s under date of July 
15th: 

'•At 9 o'clock this morning. Deputy Sheriff 
Latapie mounted a stump in front of the Sotoy- 
ome Hotel and called the names of several 
hundred men; when about two hundred and 
fifty answered to their names -pei'haps one-half 
of the whole number summoned. Sheriff Bowles 
then explained the nature of liusiness, inform- 
ing them that seven writs of restitution and 
ejectment were to be served on the settlei's — 
Scaggs. Rice, Miller, and others. The jwsse 
was notified to be readj' to march to the scene 
of action in fifteen minutes — and much to the 
disgust of the crowd, they were ordered to pro- 
ceed on foot; which was not very agreeable as 
the sun was pouring down in tropical style — 
the thermometer standing at ninety-two in the 
shade. 

"x\t about half-past ten o'clock the sheriff took 
his jiofixr ti> the place occupied by Mr. Rice's 
family, about one mile northwest of Healdsburg. 
We arrived at Rice's at 11 o'clock, where we 
found about fifty resolute settlers insi<le of tlie 
yard fence, well armed and apparently deter- 
mined not to allow us to proceed further in that 
direction. We advanced holdly up to said 
fence — it being understood that the settlers 
were not to shoot until we crossed the line, 
which no one seemed inclined to do — when Mr. 
L. D. Latimer read some kind of a document — 
probably the 'riot act' — we were not able to 



hear a word from our position. Sheriff Bowles 
then read some papers, which we were also un- 
able to hear — supposed to be the order of the 
court. The sheriff then commanded \\\s 2)osse 
to assist him in the execution of his writs — 
2X)s-se mum — backward movement perceptible 
— settlers cocked their guns — leaders addressed 
them — another backward movement on the part 
of posse, explained on the ground that the atmos- 
phere was purer under the oak trees. Sheriff 
again demanded possession of the premises — 
most of hisj^w*«6' seated themselves on logs and 
the grass under the oaks. Considerable parley- 
ing between sheriff and settlers — when it beinff 
apparent to everybody that nothing could be 
done without the effusion of blood, the sheriff 
wisely dismissed his posse. Cheer upon cheer 
went up from the crowd — both j[«>ss<? and settlers 
joining in it heartily. The immense crowd then 
started back to town, ap]>arently satisfied with 
the day's woi'k. 

"It was generally believed that from two to 
four hundred armed settlers were in the imme- 
diate vicinity of the house during the time — 
though not more than fifty were to be seen. A 
friend informed me that he saw a large number 
of armed men in a ravine back of the house 
about one hundred and fifty yards off. 

"Not one of the men composing the posse 
carried a gun, and but few of them had small 
arms. 

"The greatest order prevailed — not a drunken 
or disorderly man to be seen. Mr. (leo. Hran- 
stradder received a severe cut under the arm by 
falling from a stumj) and coming in contact 
with a jiicket fence. No other accident."! hap- 
pened." 

The sheriff with his ^w^wc having failed to 
vindicate the law. the strong arm of the State 
was invoked as a denier resort. AVhat steps 
were taken is thus stated editorially in the 
Ar(/ns of the 24th of September: 

"The public mind is again being agitated bv 
the settlers' ditficulties in the nfigliburluio<i of 
Healdsburg. In compliance witii the re(iuisi- 
tion of Sheriff Bowles, (iovernor Stanford 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



ordered out the two military eouipanies of this 
city, the Petahiina Guards and JMninet (iuards, 
to enforce the writ of ejectment against IMilier, 
liice, Scatfgs and others. The two companies 
aliove nameil. under tlie respective command of 
Captain 1". B. Hewlett and Captain T. F. Baylis, 
took up their line of march from this city for 
the scene of ditiiculty on Monday last. By a 
gentleman who came down on the Ilealdsburg 
stage yesterday, we learn that the military were 
at A[ark West Creek. The same gentleman 
also informed us that he conversed, just hefore 
leavino- Ilealdsburg, with several of the settlers, 
and they avowed their determination to resist the 
force sent against them. We sincerely trust 
they will think better of it, and listen to the 
dictates of cool judgment. The late decision 
of the courts, in favor of Bailhache, has done 
away with the pretext on which they predicted 
their right to resist the sherif!"'s^w.w<^. We ask 
our fellow citizens to retiect what serious conse- 
(piences the resisting of military might lead to. 
If in this instance law is set at defiance, there 
is a combustible element in ('aliforiiia which 
would accept it as a license for guerrilla warfare. 
We cannot, however, believe that our neighbors 
of Ilealdsburg will be guilty of lighting the 
torch of civil war in our midst." 

The Aiqux oi Ocioher 1st gives the following 
account of tlie termination of this vexed land 
trouble: 

"On Monday morning last the military com- 
panies which were ordered by the Governor to as- 
sist Sheritf Bowles in enforcing writs of ejectment 
against settlers near Healdsburg, returned to 
this city having faithfully discharged the duty 
for which they were ordered out. The majesty 
of the law has been asserted and maintained, 
and the serious consequences which it was 
feared might result therefrom have been averted. 
Our citizen soldiers, with their etticient otJicers, 
deserve much credit for the decided and yet 
humane manner in which they discharged the 
unpleasant task assigned them. Those families 
that have had to relinquish homes that cost 
them years of toil, are now the subject of 



sympathy, and should be encouraged and assisted 
in their endeavors to find new and more ]>erma- 
nent homes. Let the difficulties just past be 
remembered only to guai'd against the recur- 
rence of like scenes in the future." 

SgUATTEKS ON TUK (;EKM.\N (iRANT. 

In 1801 there were about eighteen settlers 
who located on the (German grant, on the coast 
bordei-ing on the (iualala Kiver and extending 
southward toward Fort Ross. The claimant was 
William Beihler, and being a foreigner, he 
commenced suit of ejectment in the United 
States District Court. The writer, then a 
United States Deputy Marshal, had occasion to 
serve papers on those squatters in 1861 and 
knows how " sultry " they threatened to make 
it for Beihler if he over dared to " materialize 
in that neck of woods." Beihler got his ranch, 
notwithstanding, but he has seldom visited it. 
The grant has now largely passed into other 
hands. 

Tin: Mrr.nuKW shadow. 

By reference to the last chapter on Russian 
occupation at Fort Ross it will be seen that 
reference is made to a bill of sale given to Cap- 
tain John A. Sutter, ])urporting to convey to 
him Bussian title to laud. Tiiis title was 
a source of considerable trouble to Sonoma 
County settlers along about 1S60-'1. One Col- 
onel Muldrew turned up then with that title 
and created quite a panic. The Joiirtnil of Alay 
11, 1860 said: 

"The Sutter, or Aluldrew claim, lying be- 
tween Cape Mendocino and Cape Drake, or 
Punta Reyes, and about which considerable in- 
terest is at present manifest by the people of 
this section, covers about two hundred and 
eighty leagues of land, and embraces within its 
bounds, in addition to a large area of public 
domain, several confirmed Spanish grants. As 
most of our readers are aware, this is tlie so- 
called Russian American Fur Company's claim; 
but we suggest that the territory should here- 
after be known as the "Muldrew Principality. 



UtaTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY 



Onr reason for this is. that the Colonel claims 
that the Russian Fur Company held and exer- 
cised exclusive control of the territory during 
a certain number of years (about thirty-three, 
we think), and then transferred their rights, 
privileges and immunities to Captain J. A. 
Sutter, who in turn sold to the present claimant, 
he, Muldrew, should of right now be entitled 
to exercise all the rights and privileges, l)oth civil 
and political, which belonged to the said original 
claimants. Let the claim then be known as the 
'Muldrew Principality, and let its rightful 
]triiice assert and exercise his authority! True, 
Uncle Sam may not relish the thing much, but 
how is he to help himself? It was Mexican 
territory alone that he conquered, and not that 
of the Russian Fur Company ! What right 
then has he to complain, though this principal- 
ity does lay 'adjacent to,' and is surrounded by 
his potato patch? ' Hy the law of nations" [ior 
the interpretation of which, and in further 
proof of the soundness of our arguments, we 
refer the reader to the articles in the Argus, 
over the signature of' Veritas,' which we think 
cannot fail to convince all as their author is 
known to be no less a person than the valiant 
Colonel Zabriskie, Colonel Muldrew's legal ad- 
viser and expounder), the Russians acquired 
sovereignty over it, and by the right of pur- 
chase, Colonel Muldrew is now the legitimate 
prince and ruler; but, like the ' Nephew of his 
Uncle,' we ojiine he will tind Jordan a hard 
road to travel, ere he is permitted to grasp the 
golden scepter of this 

' Kiiiiiilom liy the sea.'" 
Colonel Muldrew began to force his claim to 
this vast estate with much vigor. He had as 
his attorney Colonel .1. C. Zaliriskie, who as 
author of the " Laiul Laws of California" was 
recognized as a lawyer of much ability. Several 
settlers' meetings were held in Big \'alley, at 
which Colonel Zabriskie was present and ex- 
plained the nature of the title upon which his 
client set up a claim to lands, much ot which 
had already been purchased by the settlers from 
grantees holding under Mexican title. Most of 



the settlers failed to see the potency of the ar- 
guments used and Hatly refused to give any 
countenance to the Muldrew claims. Some, 
however, seem to have been fearful that his 
claim was something more than a mere shadow, 
and we have been informed that Mr. Rennitz of 
the Fort Ross grant was $6,000 poorer on ac- 
count of his credulity. Be this as it may, the 
Muldrew title reached a final disposition in a 
decision rendered by Judge ISIcKiiistry in Octo- 
ber of 1860, which was as follows: 

•'Curtis vs. Svtfer, et al. — This is a motion 
to dismiss the bill npon the pleadings. I grant 
the motion, assuming that all the facts stated 
in the complaint are true. The complainant does 
not content himself with stating that the de- 
fendants set up some claim or demands to his 
lands, but specitically decribes their alleged 
title from the Russian Fur Company to the de- 
fendant, Sutter. Admitting that the averment 
that the other defendants 'claim under Sntter,' 
as sufficient allegation that they have receiveil 
deeds from Sutter, still the • Russian Fur C'oin- 
pany ' is not a legitimate source of title. If an 
action of ejectment were Ijrought by defeiulants 
against a party in possession upon the deeds 
named., as referred to in the bill, those deeds 
could not constitute a color of title; the defend- 
ant in possession would not be required to in- 
troduce any testimony to impeach or rebut the 
deeds. Hence, upon the authority of Ctiiiin cs. 
Sntter, et al., and Pi.vleij rs. irii(/f//ns, 1 am of 
opinion that no preliminary injunction should 
have been issued in the present case, and that 
the injunction already issued ought not now to 
be made final or jierpetuaj. And since the only 
other remedy sought by the bill oi- whicli I'Luild 
be obtained after a feigned issue, had been de- 
cided in favor of j)laintit} is, that the deeds of 
defendants be canceled, which is not iMily a 
more effective remedy tlian an injunction, it 
a])](ears to me that if the Supivme Couit lia\e 
decided that no injunction should issue, they 
have also decideil that no decree ol cancelfitioii 
should be rendered. 

" Atfaiii, this bill does not show bv anv definite 



138 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



description of what portion of the rancho the 
plaintitf is in the actual possession. It admits 
tliat large portions of it are held adversely by 
persons not yiarties to this suit. This is not a 
case wliere any <locti'ine of constructive posses- 
sion can apply, nor does it follow that because 
in order to remove a cloud from a portion of 
which the plaintiff is in possession, it is neces- 
sary to examine the validity of the title to the 
whole Bodega Rancho — therefore, the court will 
interfere to remove a cloud from that of which 
third parties are in possession. Such examina- 
tion into the validity of the liodega title is in 
no degree binding upon those third parties hold- 
ing adversely. l!eing in possession they must 
be considered (until a judgment in a direct pro- 
ceeding against them) as tlie actual owners of 
the land they occupy. The pnr])ose of such a 
bill of peace is to remove a cloud from the title 
which threatens to disturb the quiet and peace- 
able possession of a plaintiff in the actual oc- 
cupancy of land, and since i*^ is inijiossible to 
ascertain from this bill that the ]iresent plaintiff 
is in the actual occupancy of any particular foot 
of land, the cause must be dismissed. 

'> K. ^V. Ml KiNSTRY, 

" District Judge." 
This decision seems to have effectually and 
forever, laid the ISIuldrew title to land acquired 
through Finssian occupancy at Foil Ross. 

TUK AKUOVO UK SAN AN'ni.N'lu. 

This grant was a source of much disijiiict and 
unrest to settlers. Originally there were two 
claimants before the board of land commission- 
ers, Ortega and Miranda. Ortega had l>een a 
Mexican sicklier, and married the daughter of 
Miranda. He claimed to have received a grant 
of the Arroyo de San Antonio, and placed his 
father-in-law, Miranda, in occupancy thereof 
On account of domestic infelicity Ortega went 
to Oregon and was there when gold was discov- 
ered in California. In the meantime Miranda 
seems to have received a grant for the same land 
on the ground of abandonment by Ortega. The 
two titles passed into the hands respectively of 



James F. Stnart and Thomas I>. Valentine. 
They were both laid before the land commis- 
sioners, but ultimately Valentine witlxlrew his 
claim, alleging as a reason that he was satisHed 
that the Miranda claim was without good foun- 
dation. Stuart litigated the Ortega claim to 
the highest tribunal in the land, and it was re- 
jected. The land was then declared subject to 
entry as go\ernmeut land. The outside lands 
were so entei'cd, and the lands embraced within 
the city of Petaluma were entered in lots under 
what is known as the "town site bill." Now 
it was that Valentine went to Congress and 
sought the passage of a special bill to restore 
the Miranda grant to a hearing in court, claim- 
ing that he had discovered new evidence which 
showed the genuiness of that grant. For sev- 
eral years the settlers on the land and residents 
of Petaluma combatted and defeated every at- 
tempt to have the case reopened. Finally a 
compromise was made whei'eby Valentine agreed 
that if he made his title to the Arroyo de San 
Antonio grant he would accept " lien scrip " 
from the government for the same, and not at- 
tempt to disturb the title of settlers organized 
through government to lands embraced in that 
grant. The years had run their course and in 
1873 this compromise was reached. In the 
Petaluma Argvs of December 19, 1878. we find 
the following in relation thereto: 

•' The cloud that has hovered over the lands 
on which the city of Petaluma is situated is 
foi tiinately fast dispelling. The history of the 
various struggles for title that have involved the 
settlers here would form a voluminous book, and 
the inconvenience, dread, uncertainty and possi- 
ble insecurity of our title have in no small de- 
gree retarded our growth and prosperity as a 
city. The time seems to have arrived at last 
when perfect security of title can be claimed, 
without possibility of being overwhelmed or 
being alarmed at some further period by a 
'trumped up claim." The 'Ortega' has been 
killed by the Supreme Court, and the ' Miranda' 
will soon be tfoatel off on the public domain, no 
more to annoy or irritate people. Then, with 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNT Y. 



ITncIe Sam's title in our pockets, Me can say, 
' These are onr lands; this is onr heritage; here 
we will hnild onr homes and fonnd a city that 
will rank first among the mnnicipalities of the 
State.' 

"Below will lie found jnililislied entire the 
the decree issned in the C!irciiit Court for San 
Francisco, confirming the Miranda claim hut 
snhjecting the claimant to the proviso of the 
act of Congress, which says he ' may select, and 
shall be allowed patents for an equal quantity 
of unoccupied and unappropriated public lands 
fif the United States ' elsewhere. 

" Following is the decree which is in sub- 
stance the same as urged ujkju the court by the 
(Tnited States District Attorney Lattimer: 

" ' In this case, on hearing the proofs and 
allegations, it is ordered, adjudged and decreed 
that the said claim of the petitioners is valid, 
and that the same be and hereby is confirmed; 
but this decree and confirmation are hereby 
made subject to the restrictions and limitations 
prescribed in the act of (!ongress entitled, ' An 
act for the Ilelief of Thomas 15. A^alentine, 
approved June 5, 1872. 

"'The land of which confirmation is made is 
the same which was granted by Manuel Mich- 
eltorena, in the name of the Mexican Govern- 
ment to Juan Miranda, on the 8th day of 
( )ctol)er, 1844, and on which he resided in his 
life-time, and is known by the name of the 
Kanclio Arroyo de San Antonio, and bounded 
by the Lagnna and Arroyo of the same name, 
and the pass and Estredo of retaluma, and is 
in extent three square leagues, if that quantity 
is to be found within the exterior boundaries, 
and no more; and, if a less quantity is included 
in said boundaries, then said lesser (piantity is 
confirmeJ. 

" JjOEE.N/.o Sawyer, 
" Circuit .Intlge.' " 
in January of 1S74 the following editorial 
relating to the Miranda grant appeared in the 
I'etaluina Argvs, and was conclusive of nil 
further trouble alwut Valentine's claim : 

•■When there is a shadow upon the title to 



oiir homes there is always an uneasiness tliat 
periodically breaks into downright fear, and 
oftentimes panic. There seems to be no secu- 
rity. \Vc build elegant residences and beautify 
our grounds, but so long as there is a question 
to the title of our lands, there is a lurking fear 
always that some day in our lifetime or of our 
children, the lands may be wrested from us, and 
we would have our ' trouble for onr pains." 
Again, in event of a desire to sell our realty, 
the shadow comes up, and our property is depre- 
ciated thereby. And this has been the case 
with Petaluma from the very day of its settle- 
ment. First we had the Ortega and Miranda 
grants to fight. As if to double teams against 
the settlers the Miranda claimant withdrew 
from the United States Commission upon a 
compromise and helped to fight the battle for the 
Ortega claim, which, after passing the Ctnnmis- 
sion, was adjudged a fraud by the Supreme 
Court. The Government then issued its pat- 
ents to the land claimed by the grant, and our 
people with Uncle Sam's title in their pockets, 
felt comparatively secure. But the trouble had 
not yet ceased. T. B. Valentine, the claimant 
under the Miranda saw that he had made a mis- 
take in his alliance with the Ortega, rushed to 
Washington and endeavored, by an act of C'on- 
gress, to get his claim reopened and before the 
courts. Here was trouble and vexation again. 
The Miranda claim was believed by many to be 
valid, while others took the countrary view. 
Whoever was right recent events go to show 
that it would have been a dangerous experiment 
had the bill l)een passed as it was first inti'o- 
dnced. Through the influence of onr represen- 
tatives, however, the bill was beaten. This ditl 
not seem to satisfy the claimant. At nearly 
every successive ('ongress he was on hainl with 
a bill for his relief. Finally to put tlie matter 
forever at rest, a bill passed Congress allowing 
him to jiresent his claim to the courts, and in 
the event that he should ])rove the validity of 
his title he was to execute a deed to the lands 
claimed under the grant, and in lieu thereof 
take a corresponding amount of public lands 



140 



HISTORV OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



wlierever lie might find tliein ami elect. The 
suit was accordingly coniinenced in the Circuit 
(^oiirt in San Francisco, and npon trial a decree 
was issued to tiie piaintitl', when it was taken 
on appeal to tiie Supreme Court of tlie I'liited 
States for tiiuU adjudication. Many rumors 
have been rife that Mr. Valentine, haviiiii- ijot 
into court and proven liis claim, was not neces- 
sarily compelled by tlie terms of the act to take 
lien lands, hut might, upon the atHrmance of 
liis case at Washington, come ujion and dispos- 
sess the settlers here. A good deal of talk has 
been made, and a great deal of fear endured by 
our people over these complications. 

'• Finally, however, like all our worldly 
troubles this vexed and complicated question 
has been finally settled by Mr. Valentine giving 
a deed to government through our energetic 
and faithful Senator, Mr. Sargent, as the follow- 
ing dispatches will explain: 

" •WASuiNtiToN, Jan. 5. — Senator Sargent has 
received from T. B. Valentine, of San Fran- 
cisco, to be held in trust, a deed in favoi- of the 
United States, executed by \'alentine and wife, 
conveying the Miranda grant, in Sonoma 
( bounty; the deed to be delivered to the t'om- 
missioners of the (leneral Land Office on affirm- 
ance by the Supreme Court of the judgment 
recently rendered in Valentine's favor by the 
Circuit Court of California in an action autlior- 
ized by Congress. The deed conveys to the 
United States all of A^alentine's interest in said 
grant, and Valentine by the law of last session, 
is to receive land scrip to the same extent on un- 
occupied puldic land. This quiets title in favor 
of purchasers from the Government on thegrant.' 

"'W.\suiNuT()N,Jan.7. — The United Slates Su- 
preme (Jourthavingconfirmed the decision of the 
Circuit Court upholding the validity of the 
Miranda grant, its mandate to that effect was 
sent to California to-day, and the deed executed 
by Valentine conveying all his i-ight and title 
to the United States in trust for the settlers, 
was delivered to the Commissioner of the (len- 
eral Land Office this afternoon. This action 
perfects tlie settlers' title to all lands covered by 



the grant, including the town of Pctaluma. and 
puts an end to all litigation ai\d further uneasi- 
ness in the matter.' 

" AV^e may state also in this connection that 
i>ur fellow-townsman, lion, (ieorge Pearce, met 
Mr. A'alentine on the streets of San Francisco 
on Wednesday, when Valentine tul<l him per- 
sonally that he had executed and delivered the 
deed, thereby confirming the above dispatches. 
All hail to our homes, which are now withuut a 
cloud of uncertainty." 

L.\i:i;.\A UK SAN ANTdNld. 

This land, as will be seen by reference to the 
chapter on grants, was conceded to I'artolenius 
Bojorques, and embraced over 24,000 acres of 
land. Nearly half of this lay in Sonoma 
County, embracing the fertile Two Rock Valley. 
There never was any conflict over the confirma- 
tion of that grant. It passed to final confirma 
tion without let or hindrance. IJojorques %vas 
quite old when the Americans began to come 
in and settle on his grant, lie had eight sons 
and daughters, all grown up and married. To 
each of these he executed a deetl of one-ninth of 
his grant, reserving to himself a ninth. There 
was no partition, bnt father and children alike 
had an undivided ninth of the vast estate. Each 
sold land to the settlers as opportunity offered, 
and at prices nierely nominal. Bnt few of the 
settlers took the precaution to get other than 
the signature of the party from whom they 
purchased to their deed. When the grant was 
all absorbed by such loose-jointed titles, the out- 
come was inevitable. Some had barely title 
enongh to cover their holdings — some had moie 
than enough, and others had not a shadow of 
title. In the early sixties a suit was commenced 
for partition, and over two hundreil, persons 
were parties to the suit. Most of the settlers 
banded themselves together in what was called 
the " Bojorques League" and maile common 
cAuse for an adjustment of title. The suit 
jilayed shuttle-cock back and forth thiough the 
courts for a sjiace of over twenty years. It was 
one of the most tangled skeins of land title tver 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



141 



adjudicated by the California courts. It finally 
lendered a conclusion very recently, and may 
he ranked among the things of the past — 
although the " Bojorques League" still has an 
organized existence. 

In dismissing the subject of Spanish grants 
it is in ])lace to say that of all those vast estates, 
there is now only one in the county, the "Cotato 



grant,"' that remains unbroken, the balance 
liaving all been subdivided and sold to settlers. 
Of the original owners of these grants there are 
but few who are now even moderately well otl'; 
and very many are in really straitened circum- 
stances. The manner in which these vast prop- 
erties were dissipated shows how evanescent 
anti Heeting is what the world calls wealth. 



iirsronr of sonoma county. 



^-:i2^^^ai!s^!^)!;i^2!<M^:!i:>^^ 




^R^gfiSi 



SKky^gMMBBE 



\ GEOLOGY, MINERALOGY AND FOSSILS. \ 

, ^^•V^^^V^^^x^<^v.A'^A^•v•^?F^.^A.^•^^A^•^,v^s=g;^Y: 





VWW'l'VAl XIY. 



HasAI.T RimK ASlJK-ilV 

I ACTMNS. 



-CHROMIC IRON OINN'AliAR SILI'MIR < ol'IM'.R —FOSSIL , KKMAIN? 



fi 1 1'^i late Dr. AV. W. Oarpenter, wlio was a 
student of science, speaking of tliis soc- 
•^- tion of California said: 
•'The county of Sononialias never Iteen honored 
with a jjeological survey. It is jn-etty evenly 
divided lietween xalley and niountiiin. The 
valleys having formerlv heen suhinertfcd with 
the waters of the ocean, were left upon their 
sulisidenee with a soil of adohe, hut have since 
received a coat of sedimentary deposit of allu- 
vium. The soil of the eastern part of Sonoma 
Valley rests upon a hard-pan of secondary for- 
mation. The sandy loaua comprisinu; the coun- 
try lying hetween Petaluma and the coast is 
modern alluvium. The redwood forests adjacent 
to tlie coast, helong to the second epodi of the 
tertiary period — the miocene of ]V[r. Lyell. The 
soil of the Russian River A' alley largely foi-med 
through glacial inHnence, helongs to the sec- 
onilary period. The mountains are volcanic. 
Trap, or basalt is tlie leading rock, although 
]iorphyry, sienite, granite, slate, ami especially 
carbonate, or magnesian limestone are found. 
The mountain range of basalt dividing the i'et- 
aluma and Sonoma valleys was poured out ot 
the crater of St. Helena and rolling onward, u 
mighty river of molten lava, couletl and hanl- 
ened where we now find it. The streets of San 
Francisco are largely paved with this i-ock. In 
quarrying it small caverns are levealed most 



beautifully lined, ami crystalized with carbonate 
of lime. Notwithstanding that Sonoma is 
classed as an agricultural county, its mineral re- 
sources are varied, and in the near future will 
be a source of great profit. 

•'('<)(//, of not by any means a superior (jiiality, 
has been found near the surface on Sonoma 
l\[ountain not more than five miles from IVt- 
aluma. Practical exjierieuce has upset many 
scientific theories. Science taught that the 
native deposit of gold was exclusively in quart/.. 
The miner reveals some of the richest leads in 
slate rock. Science formerly taught that the 
coal deposit was exclusively in the carboniferous 
formation. The same autliority now teaches 
that it may be found in any geological strata. 
It is true that all the coal thus far found be- 
longs to the tertiary, or secondary formation — 
lignite or brown coal — yet competent observers 
ai'e sanguine in the belief that when sutiicient 
depth shall have heen reached coal of good 
quality and in i-easonal)le abundance will be 
tbund. 

•> J^'trnleum, a sister product, is also known 
to exist in this county. It is a question whether 
oil wells will ever prove as productive in Cali- 
I'ornia as they are in Pennsylvania, for the reason 
that the horizontal wheels of the palaeozoic age 
confines the oil beneath the surface in the latter 
State, while the tertiary rocks of California, 



HTSTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



143 



turned up ^m edge, allow it to lie forced to the 
surface by liydrostatic pressure, and capillary 
attraction, and thus wasted. Hence larj^c quan- 
tities of oil on the surface is an unfavorable in- 
dication for well-boring. 

•' It is for tills reason, and not because oil in 
quantities does not exLst, that the oil business has 
not a promising out-look on the Pacific coast. 

'' ^«ic'^'.<.;7/'c/'. - Quicksilver, j)rincipally in 
the form of cinnaliar, e.xists in this county in 
large quantities. During the (juicksilver ex- 
citement of four or five years ago many rich 
deposits were developed, and worked until the 
in)mense (quantities of the article found in every 
section of the State reduced its price below the 
cost of extraction, which necessarily compelled 
a discontinuance of operations. 

"The composition of ciimabar being 81| 
grains of (piicksilver and 19.^ grains of sul|ihur 
to the hundred, implies the existence of an 
abundance of the latter article also in the county. 
When (quicksilver exists where there is no sul- 
phur it must needs be in its native form. In 
the Rattlesnake mine, above Cloverdale, is the 
only place that it is found in this county, other- 
wise than in the form of cinnabar. In that 
mine the pure glolniles ai-e interspersed thi-ough 
soft tulcose rock. 

" Boriw. -Borate of soda has been found, liut 
not in paying quantities. 

"'Kaolin. -This article is found in this 
county, but kaolin being decomposed feldspar, 
and the pure atmosphere of California not pos- 
sessing the power of decomposing and disin- 
tegrating that article from its native rocks like 
the murky air of England, the (juantity is cor- 
respondingly small. So rapidly does the atmos- 
phere of England decompose feldspar, that 
granite, or sienite, exposed to the air. bec(;mes 
honey-coinbed in a few years. The reader is 
aware that fine porcelain ware is made of finely 
))ulverized (juartz crystals, kaolin, and the ashes 
of ferns — the fern ashes containing enough 
alkali, in the form of bicarbonate of potassa to 
produce the requisite effervescent action, in 
union with the silisic acid of the (piartz. to dc- 



velope the beautiful finish of that elegant ware. 
The kaolin for the immense quantity of porce- 
lain ware manufactured in England is gathered 
in Cornwall, where it is decomposed and disin- 
tegrated from the granite quarries. 

" Hod ami YMoio Cinher (terrd ih xleitJia), 
as well as other ochreous coloring earths of a 
sn|)crior quality, and in great abundance, are 
found in this county. No better material for 
paints exist upon the earth. 

^^ Petrifactlonx are found in this county 
and, in fact, everywhere on the coast — under 
circumstances which upset the accepted theory 
that petrifaction can (inh/ occur by saturating 
the wood in thcriiiHl waters. Petrifaction takes 
place on the surface of the earth — necessarily 
beyond the reach or intiuence of thermal waters. 
The large amount nf silex in the soil mav 
account for this in some instances, as there arc 
many cases in which an excess of that element 
causes wood to petrify instead of carbonize, 
even in the carboniferous formation. Still the 
proposition holds that petrifactions are found 
under circumstances which would seem to im- 
ply that atmospheric conditions mu^L have 
something to do with their transfornialion. 

" Afi/entlferoii,^ (jalena exists in the northern 
part of the county, and in the near future will 
become a paying industry. 

^•Copper. — Some rich deposits of c(qiper-- 
jirincipally in the form of red oxide — have also 
been discovei-ed in the northern section of the 
county. 

" I nni — Iron is found nearly everywhere, but 
the UKist valuable yet unearthed are the chromic 
iron oi'es in the mountains near ('lo\erdale. 
where the rock formation is mainly st^rpentine. 
Some of these ores have been in the process of 
extraction for several years with profit to the 
owners. .\ small amount of hematite ii'on \\a» 
found near Santa Ilosa. Magnetic and Titanic 
iron is found in more or less abundance as is 
usual in all volcanic rocks. 

•• I'ixolltex, OolUcx, and Oh.sidiiui aw among 
the pi-odncts found in attestation of the volcanic 
period. 



144 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



" Boiling i<pruiiis exist in several localities, 
the most noted, and reniarkableof whicli are the 
geysers. These springs are among the most 
wonderful and magnificent displays of nature in 
the world. Notwithstanding that the springs 
are located within close pro.ximity of each other, 
the chemical properties differ much. We have 
not at hand a chemical analysis of these waters, 
init chloritle of sodium (table salt), borate of 
sodium (borax), carbonate of sodium, sulpluu'i 
iron, and sulphate of sodium predominate. 
There is a trace of silica in all of them we 
believe. LittoTi springs and Mark West are 
well known places of resort for pleasure-seekers 
and invalids. 

"Imperfect skeletons of several mastotlonshave 
been found protruding from the l)ank8 of I'eta- 
luma (Jreek, a short distance above the town of 
I'etaluma, where the floods had exposed them 
to view; and one tusk found — and now in a cabi- 
net in the latter city — is ten inches in length. 
They were perhaps mired down while seeking 
water. Their discovery was merely accidental, 
paleontological research never having leceived 
any more attention in the county than its 
kindred sciences. 

Blo(Hhtone ami aytttc are the only valualile 
varieties of the quartz family, so far as we know, 
that have been found in this county. 

Suljihate of lime (gypsum) is found, but in 
comparatively small (juantities to that of the 
carbonate, or magnesian lime." 

As the ijuarries of basalt ])aving blocks in the 
neighborhood of i'etaluma, 8anta llosa and 
Sonoma have become one of Sonoma County's 
profital)le industries, the following from the 
Sonoma County Jonriud of September 25, 1857, 
is of interest: 

>' On the summit of a hill some threc-tjuarters 
of a mile to the south of I'etaluma, a very sing- 
ular ledge of rocks has recently been discovered 
by some persons engaged in (juarrying stone for 
building purposes. The singular structure and 
wonderful uniformity that prevails throughout 
the ledge, is the feature that renders it pecu- 
liarly interesting to the curious. It is well cal- 



culated to impress the mind with the idea of its 
being the work of art. 

"The ledge is composed of regular prismatic 
columns, inclined but a few degrees from the 
perpendicular toward the center of the hill. 
The columns generally have five sides, but we 
observed some that had but four. They are 
usually about twenty inches in thickness, and 
are divided into blocks varying from one to four 
feet in length, which are so closely joined and 
so firmly cemented together that it is (juiteditH- 
cult to separate them. The columns are bound 
to each other by a layer of grayish colored 
cement, about an inch in thickness. The rock 
is very hard, and of a dark color, and belongs to 
that class of rocks denominated basalt by ge- 
ologists. The whole ledge presents the appear- 
ance of a solid structure of masonry, reared, like 
the Jigyptian pyramids, to perpetuate the works 
and memory of man, in defiance of the flight of 
ages. So abundant, indeed, are the appearances 
of design, that we are not surprised that many 
persons have unhesitatingly pronounced it the 
work of art. There is abundant evidence, how- 
ever, tharf; precludes the possibility of such being 
the case. This columnar structure of rocks is 
not unfrequent. It is seen along the margin of 
Snake River, and in the passage of the Columbia 
River through the Cascade Mountains, perpen- 
dicular walls of this columnar structure are 
often seen rising to the height of forty or fifty 
feet. The basaltic columns of Lake Superior, 
Fingal's Cave, in the island of Staft'a, and the 
Giant's Causeway in the north of Ireland, are 
all examples of similar columnar structure. 
Geologists also speak of its occurring quite fre- 
quently west of the Ilocky Mountains. We are 
too incredulous to look upon this singular struc- 
ture as other than the work of the Divine Arclii 
tect, and as such it presents a wide range for 
human thought and study. 

'' The discovery of this ledge of rocks so near 
town, is particularly fortunate for Petaluma. 
The rocks arc easily quarried aiul brought to 
town, but the greatest advantage of all is their 
thorough adaptability to the construction of fire- 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



proof Iniildings neither tire nor water affecting 
them in the least. We saw a cliip from one of 
the rocks subjected to fire until it became heated 
to a bright red color, after which it wa.s im- 
mediately thrown into cold water. No chantje 
whatever from its original appearance could be 
perceived." 

In March of 18H8 there was considerable ex- 
citement ill I'etaluma conseijuent upon the un- 
earthing at the head of I'etaluma Creek of the 
fosi^il remains of some animal of large propor- 
tioii^i. In reference to these bones h corres])ond- 
ent of the Ar<jni< under date of March 12th says: 

"To the question, ' AVhat is ItV when ap- 
plied to the jawbone which has excited so much 
curiosity, the following answer is submitted: 

"It is assumed that the bone in question is 
unmistakably a lower jawbone, and from thennm- 
ber and conformation of the teeth, it is not the 
jaw of a hippopotamus, for that animal has six 
grinders on each side of both jaws, also fonr 
incisors above and below, and a canine tooth on 
each side, above and below. Again, it cannot 
be the jaw of a rhinoceros, for that has seven 
grinders on each side of both jaws, and from 
two to four incisors in each jaw. The number 
of grinders in this jaw, the pairs of conical pro- 
jections on the same, the entire absence of in- 
cisors and canine teeth, together with the length 
(22 inches) of the shinbone exhibited, induces 
the writer to believe that it belongs to a narrow- 
toothed mastodon (mastodon angustidens). 
The dimensions of these grinders, seven inches 
in breadth by three inches in thickness, answer 
to the name. The word mastodon is derived 
from two (Treek words, meaning conical-shape 
and tooth. There were two species of mastodons, 
namely: the great mastodon ( M. giganteus) and 
the narrow-toothed mastodon. The last s])ecies 
\\a> one-third less in size than the great masto- 
don, and much lower on the legs. It was not 
unlike the elephant, being furnished with a 
trunk and two huge tusks, and fed upon the 
rank vegetation of the early world. Thi> was, 
probably, a juvenile of about seven years, its 
age lioing determined from the number of pairs 



of conical jioints found on the molar teeth, 
while his height is estimated to have been only 
about eight feet, the estimation being based up- 
on the supposition that the large bone e.xhibited 
last week was a shinbone. The imperfections 
of that bone render its identity somewhat difh- 
cult, still its superior articulations and triangu- 
lar shaft, lead to the belief that it is a tibia. 

"It is hoped that other discoveries will soon be 
made that will throw more light upon this in- 
teresting problem." 

In the Petahiuia Anjus of Feljruary 25,1869, 
ajipears this mention of fossil bones: 

"On Thursday last Messrs. Dickey and (-Jil 
more discovered the skeleti.m of a mastodon on 
Petaluma Creek about two miles north of tlii^ 
city. Portions of a tusk projected from the 
bank where the late storm had washed the dirt 
away. They (jomnienced excavating and have 
removed the dirt from the head which i.- nf 
enormous size. The tusk measures twenty-two 
inches in circumference, and the width of the 
skull is nearly three feet. It is well worth the 
investigation of scientific men. It will be re- 
membered that about a year ago |)ortions of 
undoubtedly the same skeleton were washed out 
at the same locality, and that we published an 
account of the same. Discoveries of fossil re- 
mains have become so common in CaliforniH, 
that they liave almost ceased to excite comment, 
save in scientific circles."' 

Again referring to the unearthing of fossil 
remains, the A/yiis of March 4, 1869, says: 

"Last week we mentioned the fact of the 
discovery of portions of a gigantic skeleton in 
the bank of Petaluma Creek. From Mr. S. li. 
Dickey, one of the discoverers, w'e receive 
further particulars. We have also received let- 
ters from several scientific gentlemen requesting 
information on the subject, which we cheerfully 
give. These bones cannot be a part of those 
found last s])ring, being found fifty yards further 
up the stream, imbedded eight feet deep in 
coarse gravel. They are undoubtedly horns, the 
ii|)per part of the head being found with them. 
The ilimensioiis are: From the lower part of 



146 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



the clieek Ikhic to the tip ot' the liurii, 
8 feet; eaxity nl the liraiii. iJ I'eet, making 
I'.t I'oet from ti|i to tip of the horns, which 
measuri'd ~2 ineiies at tlie base. One only was 
t'ounii. hut a eavitv in tlie earth corresponding 
in size plainly showed the former existence of 
another. Two feet ot the point was solid, also 
8 inches of the base; the balance crumbled to 
pieces on exposure. There were two teeth on 
each jaw measuring 11 inches in lentjth, and 3^ 
inches in width. They are solid in the jaw, of 
a darkish color, but resembling ivory in sub- 
stance. The cheek bones are solid, 18 inches in 
length. The lnu-iis shot outward from the head, 
curving to the >ide until within about 18 inches 
of the point, where they turned forward, the 
point being a little in front of the head as if 
for a means of defense. An outside shell simi- 
lar to that upon the horn of the common cow 
covered the horn. If the rest of the skeleton 
bore a proportio'iiate size to the head and horns, 
the animal was indeed a monster. 

The fossil remains found near Tetaluma was 
the subject of discussion by the California 
Academy of Natural Sciences. What those 
scientists thought on the subject, as well as the 
opinion of the I'etaluma editor, appeared in the 
Petahnna Aiyns of Api-il 1, ISi;',), aud is as 
follows : 

"At a lecent meeting of the Califoi'uia Acad- 
emy of Natural Sciences, at ISan Francisco, the 
subject of the recent discovery of the remains 
of the gigantic animal at Petaluma was brought 
up. Mr. Yale said he had been corresponding 
with the -discoverer of the skeleton of the 
mastodon lately found near I'etaluma; the 
bones he understood were being i-enioved, and 
the Academy ought to take some step toward 
preserving the remains. The head had been 
entirely carried away, and other )iorti<uis dis- 
turbed. Mr. Carlton remarked that the aninial 
was said to have been horned, but that which 
was taken for horns was more probably tusks. 
Dr. Cooper said the creature w'as either an ele- 
phant or a mastodon, aud probably the tusk had 
been taken for horns. Mr. Yale said that a 



similar discovery had been made last year in 
the vicinity of SaJi Jose. Dr. Cooper stated that 
Mr. llotimau. a membei' of the society, had ex- 
amined the remains of one of these animals 
which had been discovered in the valley of Saii 
Jose, and that upon its being exposed it cruuj- 
bled to pieces." 

The Ar(jui< said: •' As to the question whether 
the bones found \\:ei'e tusks or horns, we are de- 
cidedly of the oj)iniou that they are horns, as 
they grew from the top of the head, curving 
horizontally, for some distance, when they 
turned to the front as if for a means of defense. 
Mr. Dickey drew for us a diagram of the head, 
showing the position of the root of the horns, 
which was the same as in ordinary cattle. Had 
they been tusks they would have grown from 
another portion of the head." 

The Ar(ju8 of a still later date said : " So- 
noma and adjacent counties ajjpear to be a j)er- 
fect mine of interesting curiosities in the shape 
of petrifaction belonging to both the animal and 
vegetable kingdom. What is the most re- 
markable in relation thereto is the fact that 
these relics of liygone ages are often found in 
the alluvial deposits so near the surface of 
the earth as to frequently be revealed by the 
plow. We have before us a petrifaction re- 
cently plowed up on the ranch of Patrick J.,aw- 
lor on the Sonoma Mountains, four or five 
miles from this city, and at an altitude of 
several huiulred feet ai)ove the valley or tide 
level. The specimen is the head and neck {vs 
fei/iorls) of the fumur or thigh Iione of a 
mastadon or some other mammoth animal be- 
longing to the pre-historic period. It is a com- 
plete petrifaction nearly six inches in diameter 
across the crown and alioiit seven inches from 
apex of crown to base. It is virtually the head 
(os feinor'n<\ with not more than two or three 
inches of the neck remaining. Looking at its 
crown it has very much the resemblance of the 
somewhat round skull of a nearly grown person. 
It weighs eight pounds. We have seen several 
specimens of large bones found in tliis vicinity 
but this is the most perfect petrifaction of the 



HI STOUT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



kind that has come under our notice. As this 
was found so near the surface we doubt not that 
witli but little labor other bones belonging to 
tiie same monster animal of which this is a part, 
can be found.'' 

One of the wondrous freaks of Nature in this 
country and one which is well worth a visit by 
every one who cares for such sights, is the ])et- 
ritied forest of Sonoma. Away back in some 
pre-historic age, Mount St. Helena was an act- 
ive volcano and threw out vast bodies of scoria 
from its heart of living tire. Some of this scoria 
fell upon a forest of large trees and in this mass 
as if cast in a mold we have great bodies of 
vegetable matter while retaining their shape and 
fibre turned in lapse of ages into stone. These 
trees of stone lie in two tiers in a parallelogram 
a mile in extent from east to west and about a 
quarter of a mile from north to south, the roots 
of these prostrate trees being toward the north. 
They lie at an angle of from live to thirty-live 
degrees, the butts being on the lower ground. 
When discovered they were almost covered with 
volcanic ashes or tnta, and the ground sparkled 
with atoms of silica. IMucli of llic brush has 
been cleared awav and the loose superincum- 



bent deposit removed principally liy Charles 
Evans, "Petrified Charley," a Swede, who seeing 
its value for exhibition purposes, enclosed the 
ground in 1871, and charged a small fee to vis- 
itors to requite him for his labor in excavating 
around the trees. The largest tree thus ex- 
cavated is eleven feet in diameter at the butt 
and sixty-eight feet in length, but is broken 
into several pieces. Much laljor has been spent 
on the place in improvements until the thou.sands, 
who have visited the place pronounced it not 
only one of the great wonders of the world, but 
"one of the prettiest places" in the hills of 
California. The forest can be reached and ex- 
amined in a day by taking the Santa Rosa and 
Calistoga stage, it being only sixteen miles from 
the former place. Visitors to the Geysers liy 
the Cloverdale route, after they have exhausted 
the curiosities of that wonderful region, with its 
curious productions of one of Nature's under- 
ground laboratories, can reach the petrilied 
forest by taking the stage which runs between 
the Geysers and Calistoga. No Eastern or 
European tourist can truly say that he " has 
done California" unless he has seen the petrified 
forest. 



HlsruRY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 




CHAPTER XV. 
Ranchos MrsALAcoN — CoTATE — GuiLicos — Canada ue Pogolome — Llaxo 1)E Santa Rosa — El 

MOLINO HuiCHICA YuLPA GdENOC SOTOYOME BoDEGA BlLCHER CaLLAYOMI— MuNIZ 

— Laguna de Sax Antonio — Aeeoyo de San Antonio — Senode Mai.comes — Roblar de la 
MiSEKA — Canada de la Ioniva — Estero Ameeicano — Geeman — Petaluma — San Migvel 
— TzABAfo — Caslamayome — Cabeza de Santa Rosa — Agca CALfi;NTi:. 



tT will be of interest to future generations to 
know what value the Mexican government 
'■^ placed upon its public domain. When the 
reader of the next century scans these grants as 
listed below, and sees that these pioneer colon- 
ists of California asked for, and got land by the 
league, he will naturally conclude that the first 
half of the nineteenth century must have been 
a period of regal splendor here. But such was 
not the fact. The people were land and stock 
poor. They had but few of either the comforts 
or conveniences of civilized life, and could not 
stand the liglit of a higher civilization. Like 
the Indians, they have passed on. 

The United States, Appellants vs. Johnson 
Hokrell, claiming the Rancho Musalacon. — ■ 
This was a claim for two leagues of land in 
Sonoma County, situated in Cloverdale Town- 
ship, confirmed by the Board of Commissioners 
and appealed by the United States. The claim- 
ants in this case produced the original grant 
made by Governor Pio Pico to Francisco Ber- 
ryesa on May 2. 1846. The record of the 
approval of the Departmental Assembly was 
dated June 3, 1846. No doubt is suggested as 
to the genuineness of any of these documents. 
The grantee appears within the year prescribed 



by the grant to have entered into possession ut 
his land and to have resided in a wooden house 
built by him upon it. He also placed upon it 
cattle, and commenced its cultivation. There 
is no difficulty in identifying and locating the 
lauds by means of the description in the grant 
and the inaj) to which it refers, and which is 
contained in the expedient. The commis- 
sioners in their opinion on this case observe 
" that although the title was executed hut a 
short time before the American occupation, it 
appears to have been made in good faith and with 
due regard to the requirements of the law." 
The decision of the board was attirmed and a de- 
cree entered accordingly. On page 80 of the 
appendix we find: "Johnson Horrell. etui., 
claimants for Rincon de Musalacon, two S(juare 
leagues, in Mendocino and Sonoma counties, 
granted May 2, 1846, by Pio Pico to Francisco 
Berryesa, claim filed February 11, 1853, con- 
firmed by the Commission December 12, 1854, 
by the District Court, January 14, 1856, and 
appeal dismissed April 2, 1857. containing 
8,866.88 acres. 

The United States, Appellants rs. Thuma- 
S. Page, claiming the Rancho Votate. — This 
claim which was for four leagues of land in 



HJSTORT OF SOaoilA (JOUNTT. 



Suiioiiia Cuunty situated partly in Vallejo and 
partly in Santa Rosa townships, was cojilirmed 
l>y tlie Board, and appealed by the United 
States. Ill this case the original j^rant was not 
produced, hut its existence and loss are proved 
beyond all reasonalde doubt by the depositions 
uf the witnesses and tiie pioduction of the expe- 
diente from the archives containing the usual 
documents, and also a certificate of approval 
by the departmental assembly. The grant is 
also mentioned in the index of grants by the 
former government. j\o doubt was entertained 
liy the commissioners as to the sutticiency of the 
proofs on these points, nor is any objection 
raised in the District Court in regard to them. 
The evidence discloses a full compliance with 
the conditions, and the description in the grant 
and map determined its locality. No objection 
is raised on the part of the appellants to the 
confirmation of this claim, and on looking over 
the transcript the court did not perceive any 
reason to doubt its entire validity, I'age 48 of 
the appeiuiix tells us: "Thomas S. Page, 
claimant for Cotate, four s<piare leagues in 
Sonoma County, granted July 7, 1844, by Man- 
uel Micheltorena to Juan Castanida; claim filed 
September 21, 1852, confirmed by the Commis- 
sion August 27, 1854, by the District Court 
January 14, 1856, and appeal dismissed March 
21, 1857, containing 17.238.60 acres. Pat- 
ented." 

Thk Uniteo States, Appellant)! i»i. J lan 
Wilson, claiming the liaiicho Guilico.s. —Claim 
for a tract of land, supposed to contain four 
leagues, in Sonoma County, situated in Santa 
Rosa and Sonoma townships, confirmed by the 
Hoard and appealed by the United States. The 
claim in this case was confirmed by the Board. 
iS'o doubt is suggested as to the authenticity of 
the dociiniciitary evidence submitted, and the 
only point upon winch a (piestion was made 
was whether the grant anil map accompanying 
it sutticiently indicate the granted laiui — there 
being no designation of the quantity or nuni- 
bef of leagues in the original grant. The grant 
bears date November 13, 1839, l)ut was not 



issued until the 20th. The signature of the 
Governor to the original grant is fully proved, 
and the expediente produced fnun the archives 
containing the proceedings upon the petition, 
the various orders of the Governor, and the 
decree of approval by the Departmental Assem- 
bly. The requirements of the regulations of 
1828 seem to have been substantially complied 
with, and the land cultivated and inhabited 
within reasonable time. AVith regard to locat- 
ing the ti'act, there seems to be no difficulty. 
The grant describes it as the parcel of land 
known by the name of " Guilicos,'' within the 
boundaries shown in the map which accom- 
panies tlie petition. On inspecting the map, 
those boundaries appear to be indicated with 
tolerable certainty, and it is presumed that by 
means of it no practical difficulty will be found 
by the surveyor in laying off to the claimant 
his land. A decree of confirmation must there- 
fore be entered. Page 5 of the appendix says: 
"Juan Wilson, claimant for Guilicos, four 
square leagues, in Sonoma County, granted 
November 13, 1839, by Juan B. Alvaralo to 
John Wilson; claim filed P'ebruary 10, 1852, 
confirmed by the Commissioner Deceember 27, 
1853, by the District Court March 3, 1856, and 
appeal dismissed December 8, 1856, containing 
18,833.86 acres. Patented." 
j TuE United States, Appellants m. Antonia 
j (Iazakes, claiviiiKj the Hancho Canada <1e Po- 
I (jolome. — "Claim for two leagues of land situ- 
: ated in Marin (and Sonoma] County, in Borlega 
j and Analy townships, confirmed by the Boai'd, 
and appealed by the United States."' It ap- 
pears from the documentary evidence in thi.s 
case that James Dawson, the deceased husband 
of the present claimant, on December 27, 1837, 
presented a petition to the commanding Gen- 
eral, setting forth that he, together with Mc- 
intosh and one James Black, had obtained a 
grant for the place called " La Punta del Este- 
rodel Americano;" that he had built a house 
upon it, and planted a large vineyard and an 
orchard with more than 200 fruit trees, and had 
placed upon it cattle, horses, etc. He further 



Hisroltr OF HOl^OMA COUNTY. 



represented that the grant had been obtained in 
partnership with the two persons mentioned, but 
that Mcintosh was attempting to eject him. 
lie, therefore, prayed that he might be protected 
in his rights. The petitioner, though he had 
long resided in the country, does not appear to 
have been naturalized at the time of making 
this petition, but the documents show that let- 
ters of naturalization were obtained by him on 
December 29, 1841. On September 18, 1843, 
he renewed his application to be put in posses- 
sion of the land, and the Governor, U> wliom 
this second petition was addressed, referred it 
to the Secretary for information. By the reports 
of that officer it appears, that althougli tlie pe- 
tition for the land had been in tlie name of the 
three applicants, yet the grant had been made 
to Mcintosh solely, as he alone possessed the 
essential requisite of being a naturalized Me.xi- 
can citizen. The Secretary, therefore, suggests 
that, although the request of Dawson cannot be 
granted, yet, inasmuch as he had since been 
naturalized, and had married a Mexican woman, 
his application for another piece of land should 
be favorably considered. The Governor, in ac- 
cordance with this suggestion, on October 21, 
1843, ordered the proceedings to be returned to 
the party interested for his information. It is 
presumed that it was in this way that these 
documents came into the parties' possession, and 
are not now found among the archives. It does 
not appear that Dawson petitioned for a grant 
before liis death, which occurred very soon after; 
but a grant is produced in which it is recited 
that his widow, the present claimant, has 
sufficiently proved the right of her deceased 
husband to petition for the land which she then 
occupied, and in consideration of the great 
losses sustained by her husband on separating 
himself from Mcintosh, and the favorable re- 
ports, etc., the Governor grants to her the land 
solicited, known by the name of • Canada de 
Pogolome,' to the extent of two square leagues, 
a little more or less. It is this land which is 
now claimed by the appellee. This grant was 
issued on February 12, 1844, and it appears to 



have been approved by the Departmental As- 
sembly on September 26, 1845. The genuine- 
ness of the above documents is fully proved, and 
it is also shown that the land was long occu- 
pied by Dawson before his decease, and since 
then by the present claimant. Although the 
expediente for this grant is not among the 
archives, yet, as observed by the commission- 
ers, 'its notoriety, the long possession, and the 
circumstances surrounding it, relieves it from 
any suspicion of fraud or forgery.' The boun- 
daries, as well as the extent of the land, are 
specified in the grant, and indicated with evi- 
dent precision on the map to which it refers. 
We think, therefore, that the claim is valid and 
ought to be confirmed."' Of this case, page 3, 
of the appendix, says: " Antonia Cazares, 
claimant for Canada de Pogolome, two square 
leagues, in Marin and Sonoma Counties, granted 
February 12, 1844, by Manuel Micheltorena to 
Antonia Cazares; claim filed February 3, 1852, 
confirmed by the commission April 11, 1853, 
by the District Court, March 24, 1856, and ap- 
peal dismissed December 8, 1856, containing 
8,780.81 acres.'" 

The United States, AppeUaiits vs. Joaquin 
Carrillo, claiming the Raiicho Llano de Santa. 
Rosa. — Claim for three leagues of land in So- 
noma County (situated in Santa Rosa and 
Analy Townships), confirmed by the board and 
appealed by the United States. " It appears 
from the expediente in this case that the claim- 
ant, on June 22, 1843, petitioned Governor 
Micheltorena for a grant of land on the plain 
adjoining the rancho of his mother. The Gov- 
ernor, however, suspended action on the subject, 
as no judicial measurement had been made of 
the adjoining ranchos, and the extent of the 
sobrante or surplus reserved was not ascer- 
tained." " On March 12, 1844, the claimant 
applied to the district for permission to sow, 
and build a house upon the laud, during the 
pendency of his application to the Governor for 
a grant. The Alcalde granted him leave to sow 
the land, holding himself responsible to the 
owners of the land if there should be any dam- 



niSTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



151 



age, but he refused him permission to build the 
house. On March 26, 1844, the claimant re- 
newed his application to the Governor, stating 
tliat his petition still remained unacted upon on 
account of tlie neglect of the colindantes or ad- 
joining proprietors to have their lands meas- 
ured according to law. The secretary to whom 
this second petition was referred, reported favor- 
ably to it, and advised a grant of not more than 
three square leagues, subject to the measure- 
ments of the adjoining proprietors. In accord- 
ance with this report the grant now produced 
was made; and it appears in evidence that he 
built, first, a small house and afterward a very 
large one on the land, on which he has contin- 
ued ever since to reside. He has also cultivated 
from 100 to 300 acres of it with corn, barley, 
wheat, etc. The handwriting of the grant in 
the possession of the party is fully proved, and 
there seems no reason to doubt the entire 
validity of this claim. The map and the desig- 
nation in the grant of the colindantes or con- 
teminous owners abundantly show the locality 
of the tract granted; and the claimant's title to 
the land solicited must be confirmed to the ex- 
tent of three leagues, subject to the measui'e- 
inents of the land previously granted to the 
colindantes. The decision of the board must, 
therefore, be affirmed." In reference to this 
case we find, on page 35 of the appendix, 
" .loaquin Carrillo, claimant for Llano de Santa 
liosa, three square leagues in Sonoma County, 
granted March 29, 1844, by Manuel Michelto- 
rena to Marcus West; claim tiled May 31, 
1852, contirmed by the commission ()ctol)er21, 
1><53. by the District Court, March 24, 1850, 
and appeal dismissed January 13, 1857, con- 
taining 13,33ti.55 acres.'' 

Tmk U.mtki) i^T.vi-Ks,Ajj/H'//(//it.n,'\s. Jim.N B. li. 
('ooPKK, rlaihiintj the Rancho El Molina. — 
Claim four leagues of land in Sonoma County 
(situated in Santa Rosa, Analy and Russian 
River townships), contirmed by the board and 
appealed by the United States. The claimant 
in this case, a naturalized Mexican citizen, ob- 
tuiiieii in December, 1833, a grant from the 



Governor for the place called Rio Ayoska. 
This grant was approved by the Departmental 
Assembly, and certificate of its confirmation de- 
livered to the grantee, as appears from the 
testimony, and the expediente filed in the case. 
" He subsequently appealed to the Governoi' 
for an exchange of the land granted for that 
now claimed by him. Rroceedings on this ap- 
plication were commenced by Governor 
Figueroa, and the new grant was made as 
desired by the petitioner, by Governor Gutierrez, 
on February 24, 1836. These facts are proved 
by the testimony of Harnell and Yallejo, whose 
evidence is corroborated by the expediente on 
file in the archives. The genuineness of the 
grant is fully established. Previously to ob- 
taining the last grant, the claimant had gone 
into possession of the tract solicited, and had 
bnilt a house upon it. He also had, as early as 
1834, placed a considerable number of cattle 
upon it and had commenced the erection of a 
mill, upon which he expended more than ten 
thousand dollars. He also erected a blacksmith 
shop, and for two years had employed upon his 
rancho men to the average number of sixteen, 
and sometimes thirty or forty Indians. It is 
clear that the grantee fulfilled the conditions 
and carried out the objects of the colonization 
laws to an extent very unusual in the then con- 
dition of the country. AVith regard to the 
location of the land, it appears from the testi- 
mony of O'Farrell and other witnesses who are 
acquainted with the adjacent country, that there 
is no difficulty in ascertaining its locality by 
means of the diseou which accompanies the 
grant. O'Farrell, who had long been a surveyor 
under the Mexicans, testifies that he has, by 
means of the grant and the diseon, made a sur- 
vey of the land, and that it contains, as surveyed 
by him, only the quantity specified in the grant. 
The claim was held to be valid by the Moard. 
No objections to it are suggested on the part of 
the United States, aiul we are of opinion that 
the decision of the board should be affirmed." 
Page 27 of the appendix, in regard to this grant, 
remarks: -'John 1!. R. Cooper claimant for El 



152 



ni8T0RT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Molino or Rio Ayoska, ten and one-half square 
leagues in Sonoma County, granted December 
81, 1833, by Jose Figueroa, February 24, 1880, 
by Nicholas Gutierrez, to J. IJ. R. Cooper; 
claim filed April 20, 1852, confirmed by the 
commission November 14, 1854, by the District 
CJourt, March 24, 1866, and appeal dismissed 
December 15, 1856, containing 17,892.42 acres. 
Patented. " 

Thk United "Atktyis, AppeUants vs. Jacob i'. 
Lkese, ehimhig the Rancho IhileMca. — Claim 
for live leagues of land in Sonoma County (sit- 
uated in Sonoma Township), confirmed by the 
Board and appealed by the United States. 
"The claimant in this case obtained on October 
21, 1841, a grant from Manuel Jiineno, acting 
Governor of California, for two scjuai-e leagues 
of land as designated on the map which accom- 
panied his petition. Juridicia! possession was 
given of the tract as delineated on the map, but 
the extent of land measured to iiim largel}- ex- 
ceeded the quantity mentioned in the grant. 
He thereupon petitioned for an augmentation 
and July (5, 1844, he obtaineil from (governor 
Micheltorena an additi<inal grant for three and 
one-half leagues, making in all five leagues and 
a half The proofs show that as early as 1839 
tlie land was occupied and u house built upon 
it. The grantee also placed tiiere cattle and 
horses, and cultivated about two hundred acres 
of land. He has ever since continued to occupy 
it. The authenticity of the grant is shown by 
])ror)f (jf the genuineness of the signatures, and 
the production of the expediente fnim the 
archives of the former government. The claim 
was confirmed by the Board and no objections 
to it are suggested in this court. A decree of 
confirmation must therefore be entered." We 
find on piige 23 of the appendix the following: 
"Jacob P. Leese, claimant for Huichaca, two 
square leagues in Sonoma County, granted Octo- 
26, 1841, by Manuel Jimeno, and July 6, 1844, 
by Manuel Micheltorena, to J. P. Leese; claim 
filed April 6, 1852, confirmed by the commis- 
sion April 18, 1853, by the District Court, 
April 22, 1856, and appeal dismissed Decem- 



ber 24, 1856, containing 18,704.04 acres. 
Patented." 

Mariano G. A'ai.le.io, claiming the Rancho 

Ynhipa i'.<i. THK Umtei) States. — Claim for 
three leagues of land in Sonoma County, re- 
jected by the Board, and appealed by the claim- 
ant. "The claimant iu this case has produced 
the original grant by Governor IVricheltorena to 

Miguel Alvarado, dated November 23, 1844. 
This grant was apjiroved \)y the Departmental 
Assembly on February 18, 1845. The genuine 
ness of the grant is fully proved, and the occupa- 
tion of and the cultivation of a portion of the 
land established by testimony. The claim was 
rejected by the Board for the reason that the 
tract granted was not segregated from the public 
domain. The land is described in the grant as 
known by the name of Yulupa, and bounded by 
the ranchos of Petaluma, Cotate, Santa Rosa 
and Los Guilicos. Jasper O'Farrell, who was a 
government surveyor in 1847 and 1848, and as 
such surveyed raiudios in the vicinity, states 
that he knows tiie latter well, and that the 
Rancho Yulupa is situated between them ; that 
it is near tlie town of Sonoma, and can easily be 
segregated from the adjoining ranchos. Julio 
Carrillo testifies that he has known the lands of 
Yulupa since 1838; and that it lies between the 
ranchos of ' Petaluma,' ' (lotate,' ■ Santa Rosa,' 
and ' Guilicos;' that it contains about three 
leagues and is well known. Tiie witness further 
states that Alvarado built a house on the land, 
and occupied it with cattle and horses in 1843 
or 1844. The evidence of these and other wit- 
nesses whose testimony has been taken in this 
court on appeal, sufticiently, in my (>])inion, 
establishes the identity of the land granted to 
Alvarado, and removes tiie only objection urged 
to a confirmation of the claim. A decree ot 
confirmation must therefore be entered. On 
page 35 of the appendix it is recorded: " Mari- 
ano Guadalupe Vallejo claimant for Yulupa, 
three square leagues, in Sonoma Count}', granted 
November 23, 1844, by Manuel ^[icheltorena to 
Miguel Alvarado; claim filed May 31, 1.S52, re- 
jected by the commission May 10, 1854 ; con- 



1JI8T0RT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



153 



firmed by the District Court January 21, 1857; 
decree reversed liy the ITiiited States Supreme 
Court and cause remanded for further evidence." 
So far unfortunately do tliese cases go, we are, 
therefore, constrained to proceed to what in- 
formation can be gleaned out of the appendix, 
from whicli tlie following are taken: 

Archiljald A. Ritchie, claimant for Guenoea, 
six square leagues, in Sonoma County, granted 
May 8, 1845, by Pio Pico to George Kock; 
claim filed January 27, 1852; confirmed by the 
commission December IS, 1852, and appeal 
dismissed December 15, 1856; containing 21,- 
220.03 acres. Vide page 3, Appendix Hoff- 
man's Reports, Vol. 1. 

Josefa Carrillo Fitch et al., claimants for 
Sotoyome, eight square leagues, in Sonoma and 
Mendocino counties (situated in Mendocino and 
Russian River townships), granted September 
28, 1841, by Manuel Micheltorena to Henry D. 
Fitch; claim filed February 2, 1852, confirmed 
by the commission April 18, 1853, and appeal 
dismissed November 17, 1857; containing 48,- 
836.51 acres. Patented. Vide page 3, Ap- 
pendix Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1. 

Stephen Smith and Maiiuela T. Curtis, 
claimants for Bodega, eight square leagues in 
Sonoma County (situated in I'odega and Ocean 
townships), granted September 14, 1844, by 
Manuel Micheltorena to Stephen Smith; claim 
filed February 9, 1852, confirmed by the com- 
mission P'ebruary 21, 1853, by the District 
Court July 5, 1855, and appeal dismissed April 
5, 1857; containing 35,787.53 acres. Patented. 
\'ide jiage 4, App. Hofi'inan's Reports, Vol. 1. 

Ste])hen Smith, claimant for lUucher, six 
square leagues in Sonoma C'ounty (situated in 
Analy Township), granted October 14, 1844, by 
Manuel Micheltorena to Juan Vioget; claim 
filed February 9, 1852; confirmed by the com- 
mission ( )ctober 31, 1854, by the District Court 
January 21), 1857, and a])peal dismissed Novem- 
ber 24, 1856; containing 22,976.66 acres. Vide 
page 4, Appendix Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1. 

Archibald A. Ritchie and Paul S. P'orbes, 
flairiiant^ for (Jallayome, three square leagues in 



Sonoma County granted January 17, 1845, by 
Manuel Micheltorena to Robert F. Ridley ; 
claim filed February 12, 1852; confirmed by the 
commission December 22, 1852, and appeal 
dismissed December 8, 1856; containing 8,- 
241.74 acres. V^ide page 6, Appendix Hoff- 
man's Reports, Vol. 1. 

Manuel Torres, claimant for Muniz, four 
square leagues in Mendocino County (now 
Sonoma, situated in Ocean and Salt Point town- 
ships), granted December 4, 1845, by Pio Pico 
to Manuel Torres; claim tiled February 17, 
1852; confirmed by the commission December 
27, 1853; by the District Court, October 17, 
1855, and appeal dismissed May 7, 1857, con- 
taining 17,760.75 acres. Patented. Vide page 
7, Appendix Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1. 

Bartolome J)OJorquez, claimant for Laguna 
de San Antonio, six square leagues in Marin 
County (a great part in Sonoma County, Pet- 
aluma Township), granted November 5, 1845, 
by Pio Pico to B. Bojorquez; claim filed Feb- 
ruary 17, 1852; confirmed by the commission 
October 12, 1853; by the District Court Septem- 
ber 10, 1855, and appeal dismissed November 
24, 1856, containing 24,903.42 acres. Vide 
page 7, Appendix Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1. 

Thomas !>. Valentine, claimant for Arroyo 
de San Antonio, three square leagues in Marin 
and Sonoma counties, part in Petaluma Town- 
ship, and embracing the city of Petaluma. 
Granted October 8, 1844, by Manuel Michel- 
torena to Juan Miranda. Claim filed February 
17, 1852, and discontinued February 6, 1855. 
The land was then eutei'ed by settlers as gov- 
ernment land, and the lots in Petaluma were 
entered under the "Town Site liill." \'alen- 
tine, by special act of Congress in 1873, got his 
claim reinstated before the courts, conditioiu-d 
that if he made good his claim to the Arroyo de 
San Antonio grant, he would not disturb the 
title of the settlers on the grant, but accept 
from the government " lien scrip," which could 
be located on government land elsewhere. Valen ■ 
tinereceived a confirmation of his grant, accepted 
his lien scriii in 1S74, ami so the matter ended. 



154 



UIsrORY OF SONOMA COUNT T. 



Jose de los Santos Berryesa, for Seno de 
Malaconies or Moristal y Plan de Agna Cali- 
ente, four leagues in Sonoma County (situated 
in Knight's Valley Township), granted October 
14, 1843, hy Manuel Miciieltorena to J. de los 
Santos Berryesa; claim filed February 20, 1852; 
confirmed by the commission June 27, 1854; 
by the District Court December 24, 1850, and 
appeal dismissed November 24, 1856, contain- 
ing 12,540.22 acres. Vide page 9, Appendi.x 
Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1. 

Lovett P. Rockwell and Thomas P. Knight, 
claimants for portion of Malacoines or ISIoristal, 
No. 58, two square leagues in Sonoma County 
(situated in Knight's Valley Township), granted 
October 14, 1843, by flannel Micheltorena to 
Jose de los Santos Berryesa; claim filed Feb- 
ruai-y 20, 1852; confirmed by the commission 
August 29, 185+, and ajipeal di.<missed Novem- 
ber 24, 1850, containing 8,328.85 acres. Vide 
page 9, Appendix Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1. 

David Wright ef al., claimant for Roblar de 
la Miseria, fonr scpiare leagues in Sonoma 
County (situated in PetalumaTownship), granted 
November 21, 1845, by Pio Pico to Juan Ne- 
pomasena Padillo; claim filed February 24, 
1852; confirmed by the commission February 
14, 1853; l)y the District Court September 10. 
1855, and appeal dismissed December 8, 1856, 
containing 1G,S87.45 acres. Patented. Vide 
page 10, Appendix Ilotfmau's Reports, Vol. 1. 

Jasper O'Farrell, claimant for Canada de la 
Jonive, two square leagues in Sonoma County 
(situated in Analy and Bodega Townships), 
granted February 5, 1845, bj' Pio Pico to James 
Black; claim filed l\[arch 2, 1852; confirmed 
by the commission April 18, 1853; by the Dis- 
trict Court July 16, 1855, and appeal dismissed 
December 22, 1856, containing 10.786.51 acres. 
Patented. Vide page 12, A])pendi\- llotfman's 
Reports, Vol. 1. 

M. G. Vallejo, claimant for lot 150 by 130 
varas, in Sonoma City, granted July 5, 1635, 
by Jose Figueroa to M. G. Vallejo; claim filed 
March 30, 1852; confirmed by the commission 
January 17, 1854, by the District Court Feb 



ruary 18, 1856, and appeal dismissed February 
23, 1857; containing 3.81 acres. Vide page 19, 
Appendix Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1. The 
patent for this property is on record. 

Jaspar O'Farrell, claimant for Estero Ameri- 
cano, two square leagues in Sonoma County (sit- 
uated in Bodega Township), gi-anted September 
4, 1839, by Manuel Jimeno to Edward Manuel 
Mcintosh; claim filed March 30, 1852; confirmed 
by the commission April 11, 1853, and appeal 
dismissed February 2, 1857; containing 8,849.- 
13 acres. Patented. Vide page 19. Appendix 
Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1. 

Charles Mayer et al., claimant for German, 
five square leagues in Mendocino County (now 
Sonoma County, and situated in Salt Point 
Township), granted April 8, 1846, by Pio Pico 
to Ernest Rufus; claim filed April 27, 1852, 
confirmed by the commis.^ion December 22, 
1852, by the District Court, September 10, 
1855, and by the United States Supreme Court; 
containing 17,580.01 acres. Vide page 28, Ap- 
pendix Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1. 

Mayor and Common Council of Sonoma, 
claimant for Pueblo of Sonoma, four square 
leagues, granted .June 24, 1835, by M. G. Val- 
lejo to Pueblo of Sonoma; claim filed May 21, 
1852, and confirmed by the commission Jan- 
nary 25, 185(5. Vide page 33, Apperulix Hoff- 
man's Reports, Vol. 1. 

Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, claimant for 
Petaluma, ten square leagues, in Sonoma 
County (situated in Vallejo and Sonoma town- 
ships), granted October 22, 1843, by Manuel 
Micheltorena to M. G. Vallejo (grant), and five 
square leagues, June 22, 1844, by Manual 
Micheltorena to ^I. (t. Vallejo (sale by the gov- 
ernment); clain: filed Maj' 31. 1852. confirmed 
by the commission May 22, 1855, by the Dis- 
trict Court, March 16, 1857. and appeal dis- 
missed July 3. 1857; containing 66,622.17 
aci-es. Vide page 35, ApjitMidix llotfman's Re- 
ports, \i<\. 1. Patented. 

Guadalupe Vasqnez de West et al., claimant 
for San Miguel, six square leagues, in Sonoma 
I'uunty (situated in Sautu Rosa Tuwuship), 



HISTORT OF aONOAfA COUNT T. 



granted November 2, 1840, by Juau B. Alvara- 
do, and October 14, 1844, by Manuel Michel- 
torena to Marcus West, claim tiled May 31, 
1852, rejected by the commission April 24, 
1855, confirmed by the District Court, June 2, 
1857, and decree confirmed by the United States 
Supreme Court tor one leagne and a half. Vide 
page 35, Apjiendix lloti'nuin's Reports, Vol. 1. 
J. Jesus et al., heirs of J. G. Pena, claim- 
ants for Tzabaco, four square leagues, in 
Sonoma (!onnty (situated in Medocino and 
Washington townships), granted October 14, 

1843, by Manuel Micheltorena to Jose German 
Pena; claim filed August 5, 1852, confirmed 
by tlie commission June 26, 1855, l»y the Dis- 
trict Court, March 9, 1857; and appeal dis- 
missed April 2, 1857; containing 15,439.32 
acres. Patented. Vide page 41, Appendix 
Hotiman's Report's, Vol. I. 

William P'orbs, claimant for La Laguna de 
los Crentiles or Caslamayome, eight square 
leagues in Sonoma County (situated in CMover- 
dale and Washington townships), granted 
March 20, 1844, by Manuel Micheltorena to 
Eugenio Montenegro; claim filed September 7, 
1852, and rejected by the commission Septem- 
ber 26, 1854. Vide page 45, Appendix llofl:'- 
man's Report, Vol. 1. 

John Hendly et al., claimants for Llano de 
Santa Rosa, one square league in Sonoma 
County (situated in Santa Rosa Township), 
granted March 20, 1844, by Manuel Micliel- 
torena to Joaquin Carrillo; claim filed Decem- 
ber 24, 1852, rejected by the commission 
January 23, 1855, and aj)peal dismissed for 
failure of prosecution April 21, 1856. Vide 
page 68, Appendix Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1. 

Jacob P. Leese, claimant for Lac, 1,000 varas 
square, in Sonoma County, granted July 25, 

1844, by Manuel Micheltorena to Damaso Rod- 
riguez; claim filed February 21, 1853, confii-med 
by the commission December 12, 1854, and by 
the District Court December 28, 1857, and ap- 
peal dismissed December 28, 1857. A^ide page 
84, Appendix llottnuin'a Reports, \'ol. 1. 
Patented. 



Julio Carrillo, claimant for part of Cabeza de 
Santa Rosa, in Sonoma County (situated in 
Santa Rosa Township), granted September 30, 
1841, by Manuel Jimeno to Maria Ygnaeia 
Lopez; claim filed Feb. 28, 1853, confirmed by 
the commisson April 4, 1854; by the District 
Court, March 2, 1857, and appeal dismissed 
March 27, 1857; containing 4,500.42 acres. 
Vide 88, Appendix Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1. 
Patented. 

Jabob R. Mayer ef al., claimants for part pf 
Cabeza de Santa Rosa, in Sonoma County (sit- 
uated in Santa Rosa Township), granted Septem- 
ber 30, 1853; confirmed by the commission April 
4, 1854, by District Court March 2, 1857, and 
appeal dismissed March 27, 1857; containing 
1,484.82 acres. Vide page 88, Appendix Hoff- 
man's Reports, Vol. 1. 

James Eldredge, claimant for part of Caabez 
de Santa Rosa, in Sonoma County, situated in 
Santa Rosa Township); granted September 30, 
1841, by Manuel Jimeno to Maria Ygnaeia 
Lopez; claim filed February 28, 1853; con- 
firmed by the commission April 4, 1854; by 
the District Court March 2, 1857, and appeal 
dismissed March 27, 1857; containing 1,667.68 
acres. Vide page 88, Appendix Hofi'man's 
Reports, Vol. 1. 

F^elicidad Carrillo, claimant for part of ( 'abeza 
de Santa Rosa, in Sonoma County (situated in 
Santa Rosa Township); granted September 30. 
1841, by Manuel Jimeno to Maria Ygnaeia 
Lopez; claim filed February 28, 1853; coiifirmed 
by the commission April 4, 1854, and by the 
District Court March 2, 1857. Vide page 88, 
Appendix Hoffman's Reports, \o\. 1. 

Juan de Jesus Mallagh, claimant for part of 
Cabeza de Santa Rosa, in Sonoma County (situ- 
ated in Santa Rosa Township); granted Sep- 
tember 30, 1841, by Manuel Jimeno to Maria 
Ygnaeia Lopez; claim filed February 28. 1853; 
confirmed by the commission April 4, 1854, 
and by the District Court March 2. 1857, and 
apjieal dismissed March 27, 1857; containing 
25<').1(^) acres. \'ide page 8S, Appendix IJoH' 
maiTs Ki"pi>rts, Vol. 1. 



156 



HiaTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Martin E. Cook et al., claimants for part of 
Maiacoines or Moristal, two miles square in 
Sonoma (,'onutj (situated in Knight's Valley 
'rownship); granted October, 1843, by Manuel 
Miclieltorena to Jose los Santos I'erryesa; claim 
tiled February 28, 1853; confirmed by the com- 
mission August 7, 1855, and appeal dismissed 
April It), 1857; containing 2,559.94 acres. 
Patented. Vide page 90, Appendix lloft'man's 
lieports. Vol. 1. 

John Henley, claimant for part of Cabeza de 
Santa Rosa, one mile square in Sonoma County 
(situated in Santa Rosa Township); granted 
September 30, 1841, l)y ^lanuel Jijneno to 
Maria "^'gnacia Lopez; claim tiled February 28, 
1853; confirmed by the commission December 
19. 1854; by the District Court March 2, 1857, 
and appeal dismissed March 27, 1857; con- 
taining 640.19 acres. Vide page 90, Appendix 
Hoffman's Report.s, \o\. 1. 

.Joseph Hooker, claimant tor part of Agua 
C^aliente, in Sonoma County (situated in Son- 
oma Township); granted July 13, 1840, by 
Juan B. Alvarado to Lazaro Pena; claim tiled 
March 2, 1853; confirmed by the commission 
April 24, 1855; by the District Court March 
2, 1857, and appeal dismissed March 27, 1857; 
containing 550. 8B acres. Vide page 100, Hoff- 
man's Reports, \'ol. L. Patented. 

Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, claimant for 
Agua Caliente, in Sonoma County (sitviated in 
Sonoma Township); granted July 13, 1840. by 
Juan B. Alvarado to Lazaro Pena; claim filed 
March 2, 1853; rejected by the commission 
December, 1855, and by the District Court 
July 18, 1859. Vide page 100, Appendix 
Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1. 

Thaddeus M. Leavenworth, claimant for part 
of Agua Caliente, in Sonoma County (^situated 
in Sonoma Towhship); granted July 13, 1840, 
by Juan B. Alvardo to Lazaro Pena; claim tiled 
March 2, 1853; confirmed by the commission 
April 24, 1855, by the District Court March 2, 
1857, and appeal dismissed April 3. 1857; con- 



taining 320.33 acres. Vide page 102. Appen- 
dix Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1. 

Oliver iioulio, claimant for part of Cabeza de 
Santa Rosa, 640 acres in Sonoma County (situ- 
ated in Santa Rosa Township); granted Seji- 
tember 30, 1841, by Manuel Jimeno to Maria 
Ygnacia Lopez; claim filed Marcii 2, 1S53; 
rejected by the commission January 30, 1855, 
and appeal dismissed for failure of prosecution 
April 21, 1856. Vide page 102, A].pen(li\ 
Hoffman's Reports, Vol 1. 

C. P. Stone, claimant for part of Agua Cali- 
ente, 300 acres in Sonoma (/ounty (situated in 
Sonoma Township); granted July 30, 1840, by 
Juan B. Alvarado to Lazaro Pena; claim filed 
Marcli 2, 1853; confirmed by the commission 
April 24. 1855, by the District Court March 2, 
1857, and appeal dismissed March 31, 1857. 
Vide page 104, Appendix Hoffman's Reports, 
Vol. 1. 

Cyrus Alexander, claimant, part of Sotoyome, 
two square leagues (situated in Mendocino 
Township); granted September 28, 1841. by 
Juan B. Alvarado to Henry D. Fitch; claim 
filed March 3, 1853; rejected by the commis- 
sion February 8, 1855, and appeal dismissed 
for failure of prosecution April 21, 185(). A'ide 
page 106, Appendix Hoffman's Reports, \(A. 1. 

James A. Watmough, claimant foi- part of 
Petaluma grant, one square mile in Sonoma 
County, granted October 22, 1843, by Manuel 
Miclieltorena to M. G. Vallejo; claim tiled 
March 3, 1853; rejected by the commis- 
sion January 30, 1855, and appeal dismissed for 
failure of prosecution April 21, 1856. Vide 
page 107, Appendix Hoffman's Reports, N'ol. 1. 

Jose Santos I'erryesa, claimant for 200 by 
300 varas, in Sonoma County; granted May 30, 
1846, by Joaquin Carrillo to J. S. Berryesa; 
claim filed March 3, 1853; rejected by the com- 
mission October 17, 1854, and appeal dismissed 
for failure of prosecution April 21, l!i56. 
V^ide page 108, Appendix Ifntf'mnn's itejioits. 
Vol. 1. 



BISTORT OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



157 




P^' 



fcyp cagji^Aw,A\jn 



,tfir^tg^'-ir*»ffr')tg?)n?*i';7ii^6 



'^a5)^(^^^:fr::'r:,ir:.\'^,-'^^< 



§ RAlim HWAYS, mnOURSES AND BAIS, ^ 







ciiAPTEPt xvr. 

The San Fkanoisco and Northkrn Pacifk' Ha ilroad- -North Pacific Coast Railroad — Santa 
Rosa and Carquinez RAir.itoAn — m lu.ic highwavs — thk last stauk driver — rivers and 

water CoTRSES — BAVS AND COVES — CoLoNEI. PetKR DoNAHIte. 



fHE Sail I'^ranciseo and North Pacific liail- 
rt)ad has been tlie means of ilevelo|>ing 
tlie County of Sonoma. It has extended 
its soutliern terminus to Point Tiburon. The 
original terminus was at Donahue, eigiit miles 
l)elow Petaluina, and about thirty-four miles 
from San Francisco, at which point the steamer 
connected for San Francisco. The passengers 
from Sonoma also connected with this steamer 
by stage, coming for about eight miles over the 
divide between the waters of Sonoma and 
Petaluina Creeks. 

Donahue was named after the founder of the 
road, C!olonel Peter Donahue. Here was situ- 
ated all the workshops connected with the road, 
with hotel and cottages for workmen. 

TratHc and travel outgrew his terminus, and 
the road was extended on the west side of 
Petulama Creek to San llafael, where it con- 
nected by transfer to the cars of the San Fran- 
cisco and North Paciiic (Joast Railroad. The 
terminus was not found adequate for the rapidly 
increasing traffic of the road, and in 1883 Colo- 
nel Donahue pushed his broad gauge over the 
track of the S. F. & N. P. C. R. R., and fixed 
its terminus at Tiburon. And to Tiburon has 
been removed the buildings from Donahue. 

Leaving San Francisco on the magiiiticeiit 
donlile eiiiler stcnnier Tdntidii, |iasst'iigers in 



twenty minutes' time are transferred to the cars 
at Tiburon. A run of nine and a half miles 
through several considerable tunnels, brings 
the train to the beautiful city of San 
Rafael, overlooking the broad expanse of the 
bay. Steaming on through the suburbs of the 
town, up a grade, the train suddenly disappears 
in a tunnel bored through one of the ranges 
which encircle this pretty village. Emerging 
on the north side of the range, the scene has 
completely changed. Glimpses of the bay may 
be had as the train speeds along, now on tlie 
edge of the marsh, now over an intervening 
point, until the line between Sonoma and Marin 
counties is passed. The road next trends along 
the shore of I'etaliiin.i (!reek. Opposite and in 
bold relief, stands out the old terminus of 
I )onaliiie. 

(.Crossing Petaluma CJreek, after a run oi 
twenty-one miles from San Rafael, the train 
bowls into the commercial city of I'etaliiiiiu, at 
the head of navigation. I't'talnina is beaiitifullv 
and eligibly located. It is surrounded by 
country homes and orchards in the highest state 
of cultivation, and is distinguished for its pro- 
gressive and intelligent population. It is well 
drained, neatly built, and is one of the most 
prospe ous interior towns in California. 

I'Voiir I'etuhiina the train proceeds northerly. 



158 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COVNTT. 



passing Ely's, Penn's Grove, Cotate and Oak 
(rrove stations for fifteen miles over an ex- 
tremely fertile country which brings us to the 
center of the County of Sonoma, and to its 
capital town, Santa Rosa. 

Santa Rosa is situated on the banks of Santa 
Rosa Creek, and is almost hidden in groves of 
trees and luxuriant shrubs and flowers. It has 
a rapidly increasing population, and is claimed 
by all who have seen it as one of the prettiest 
towns in the State of California. It stands 
upon an alluvial jilain, sloping gradually from 
the hills, and is surrounded by farms, orchards 
and vineyards. Santa Rosa is the passenger 
station for Mark West Springs. 

Leaving Santa Rosa, the next station, four 
miles distant, is Fulton, and here a branch road 
runs to Guerneville in the redwoods district, 
distant sixteen miles from Fulton. Trains to 
anil from (Tuerneville connect with the main 
line going north and south every day. 

From P^ilton, going north, the train passes 
through the village of Mark West to Windsor, 
distant four miles from I'ulton, then by Grant's 
Station to Healdsburg, distant six miles from 
Windsor. 

Healdsburg is situated in the center of the 
wide-famed Russian River Valley, and is sur- 
rounded by a farming country of unsurpassed 
fertility. 

Beyond Healds])urg the road follows directly 
up the Russian River Valley to Geyserville, 
eight miles north of Healdsburg. Geysei'ville 
is a pretty village, in the midst of a fruit-grow- 
ing country. It is also the station where pas- 
sengers take stages for Skaggs' Warm Springs, 
one of the popular summer resorts in the State. 
From Geyserville to Cloverdale, the north ter- 
minus of the road, the distance is ten miles. 

Cloverdale is situated on Russian River, just 
south of the boundary line between Mendo- 
cino and Sonoma. Here stfiges connect with 
tlie train for Ukiah City, Round Valley, Pot- 
ter Valley :ni(l Humboldt County; also for the 
Great Geyser Springs, about .«ixteen miles from 
Cloverdale; also the Highland Springs, Lake- 



port, Kelseyville, Soda Ray, Bartlett Springs and 
the Blue Lakes. There is also a large freight 
traffic at Cloverdale, hence it is one of the 
busiest towns in the county. 

The entire length of the road by way of 
Donahue, with water connection, is ninety 
miles. By way of San Rafael it is eighty-four 
miles, as follow.'?: 

Miles. 

From San Francisco to Tiburon (i 

From Tiburon to San Rafael • • ■ • 9 

From San Rafael to Petal uma 21 

From Petaluma to Santa Rosa 15 

From Santa Rosa to Fulton 4 

From Fulton to Windsor 5 

From Windsor to Healdsburg 6 

From Healdsburg to Geyserville 8 

From Geyserville to Cloverdale 10 

84 
But Cloverdale will soon lose its position as a 
terminal city, for the track is already graded and 
the mountains pierced with tunnels for an ex- 
tension of the road to Ukiah, the county town 
of Mendocino Count}'. This extension will be 
in running order early in 1889, and will open 
up to more complete development a county 
that has hitherto been without any facilities for 
convenient or ra|)iil communication with the 
outer world. 

Following is a description of the ferry-boat 
connecting the S. F. it N. P. R. R. with San 
Francisco. The Tifiuroii's dimensions are: 
Length between perpeiuliculars. 224 feet; beam, 
34 feet; length of cabin, 155 feet. She is of 
the pattern known as the *• (louble ender," and 
is nearly a duplicate of the Bay OUy, with 
slightly increased speed. She is equipped with 
powerful machinery by the Union Iron Works, 
the cylinder of the engine being tifty inches in 
diameter, with eleven feet stroke. Two low- 
pressure boilers of the most approved pattern 
afford the driving power; speed twenty miles an 
hour. There is an uppei--deck (•ai)in, like that 
of the (Kthlini(L The keel of the Tilnnon was 
laid on the 2yth of May, 1883, and the hull was 



HrsTonr of sonoua county. 



launched eight mouths, lacking one clay, after- 
ward. The Tibui'ou is the only douhle-ender 
that has ever been employed on this liay, outside 
the Oakland and Alameda terries. 

NORTH I'AcIFH; C<).\ST UAILKhAIi. 

Of this road the San Francisco JoariMl of 
t'ouiiiieiTc says: 

" The scenic route of the 8tate is on the 
North Pacific Coast Railroad. Every variety 
and change is encountered on this line. Leav- 
ing the foot of Market street, San Francisco, 
by one of the fast ferry steamers of the com- 
pany, a rapid trip is made across the liay to 
Saucelito, where the ti'ain is awaiting passengers 
and freight for the north. ' All aboard !' and 
the train moves out of Saucelito and rolls along 
the shores of Richardson's Bay. Rounding the 
noted Mount Tamalpais into the beautiful Ross 
Valley, it arrives at San Anselmo station, where 
transfer is made to San Rafael and San Quentin 
and thence to Fairfax, one of the finest and 
most noted picnic resorts of the State. From 
this point on the scenery becomes wilder, 
grander and more varied. Climbing the steep 
canon sides, through tunnels, across trestle 
liridges hundreds of feet above the creek below, 
thence winding its way down, the train skirts 
along the hill-sides near Point Reyes to the 
shores of Tomales Bay. These are followed for 
a distance of fifteen miles, when a rich agricul- 
tural district is entered and the thriving com- 
munities of Tomales, Valley Ford, Bodega 
Roads, Freestone and Howards are passed in 
(juick succession and the ascent of the moun- 
tains of north-western Sonoma is begun. iVgain 
the grand scenery of deep canons and^ redwood 
forests is continued until the thriving town of 
Duncan's Mills is reached and then to Ingrams, 
the present terminus. Camp Taylor is on the 
line of this route, and is one of the linest iish- 
ing, camping and picnicing localities of the 
State. 

"The road cost over three millions of dollars, 
and is a magniticient piece of engineering skill. 
For its length we believe it possesses more 



varied scenery than any road in the United 
States. In a distance of 80 miles, hills, moun- 
tains, dales, valleys, deep canons, rivers, forests, 
follow each other in bewildering succession, 
and are presented to the view of the traveler as 
he passes through the most picturesque part of 
this State. It is a splendid field for the sports- 
man. The mountains and hills, valleys and 
canons abound with game, and the creeks and 
rivers are favorite resorts for the fisherman, who 
linds his time well occupied. During the sum- 
mer months the various places on the line of 
the road are resorted to l)y thousands of campers 
from the metropolis of the coast.'' 

TUK SONOMA VALLEY KAILKOAl). 

This road is a branch of the Northern Pacilic. 
It now connects with the main Donahue line at 
Pacheco Station. It runs northward to the old 
town of Sonoma, and from thence to Glen Ellen, 
which is located in the north end of Sonoma 
Valley in a vale surrounded by sloping hills, 
which presents as desirable a location for a pros- 
perous community as could be selected. It is 
located in the heart of the wine section of the 
county, and for miles on both sides of the valley 
are to be seen hills clad with vines. In summer 
it is a great reso.t for camping parties bent on 
pleasure and to try their skill with the rod and 
gun. As many as 1,500 have camped in this 
vicinity at one time during the camping season. 

SANTA UdSA AND rAKyllXK/, KAILKoAI>. 

This road was completed in 1887. It is a 
branch of the Central Pacilic road. It leaves 
that line at Napa Junction; passes up the whole 
length of the Sonoma Valley to Glen Ellen; passes 
on through the Guilicos Valley and terminates 
at Santa Rosa. This road is of incalculable 
value to Sonoma County, as it affords a dii'ect 
and continuous connection with the eastern 
lines, and thus opens a way to ready market for 
the excellent fruit of this section of the State. 
There is now oidy needed a couple of branch 
roads, one to Sebastopol and (-Jreen Valley, and 
the other to Big Valley to reiidei' the whole 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



county well i)rovided with conveniences for 
travel and the conveyance of freight to market. 



HimiWAV! 



lU'l'ore the advent of i-aiiroads the jmlilic high- 
ways of the county were the mediums of travel 
and traffic. The central and most consequential 
road was that leading from Petaluma, taking in 
its way Santa Kosa, Windsor, llealdsburg, Uey- 
serville and Cloverdale. Tho.se were the days 
of staging. Large coaches drawn by six horses 
made the trip daily. The stage driver was then 
a consequential man, courted and conciliated by 
those who had much traveling to do. .V scat 
with the driver was a seat of honor, to secure 
which it was generally necessary to make a 
special engagement. But the occu|)ation id' 
driver was not entirely a sinecure position, iiain 
or shine he had to mount his seat, and in ex- 
cessively wet winters he generally reached the 
end of his route in a terribly mud-bedraggled 
condition. Then lie was occasionally stopped 
by foot-pads, receiving a peremptory order to 
throw out the express box. Occasionally a 
driver would escape l)y giving lash to his 
team, but as one such got a bullet through his 
cheek and had a passenger killed on the seat 
along side of him, drivers concluded that such 
foolishness did not pay. and ever after they 
accorded to foot-j)ads that deference that their 
vocation seemed to entitle them to. The rail- 
road came, however, and ran close t(.> and paral- 
lel with this great artery of ti'a\el. This 
put an end to staging on that road, anil it is 
now mainly used for local purj)Oses by the in- 
habitants along its line. 

The next public highway of importance is the 
one leading from Petaluma up the coast. It takes 
in its route Two Rock, Ploomlield, Valley Ford, 
Bodega Corners, Bodega Bay, Markhams Mills, 
I'ort Ross and Gualala. That portion of this road 
from I'odega to Petaluma has been the medium 
of transportation of a vast amount of produce 
to market in the years gone by. but the Narrow 
Guage Coast Line Railroad now carries much of 
the Bodega produce direct to San Francisco. 



From near the mouth of Russian River north- 
ward this road is graded along the elifls over- 
hanging the ocean. For a distance of several 
miles the traveler looks down into the surt 
breaking ujion the rocks below, and occasionally 
the eye is I'elieved by seeing in the distance a 
jet of water thrown up by some sportive whale. 
When this spur of the Ross Mountain is passed 
the road is of comparatively easy grade to the 
Gualala River, the boundary line between 
Sonoma and Mendocino counties. 

One among the oldest roads in the county, 
but not extensively traveled, is the one leading 
from Petaluma to Sonoma, thence to Glen Ellen 
and so on through Guilicos Valley to Santa 
Rosa. This road is through a country of his- 
toric interest and at every turn the traveler 
encounters new and enchanting scenery. All 
along the line of this thoroughfare are delight- 
ful retreats, and it is becoming a favorite line 
of resort to pleasure seekers. 

The road from Petaluma to Sebastopol and 
thence to Green Valley, although an old one in 
point of use, did not for many years receive that 
care and consideration that its importance and 
utility entitled it to. Lately it has been much 
improved, and in time it will come into more 
general use as the shortest route to the redwood 
forests. 

The roads mentioned all have a general course 
north and south, or lengthwise of the count}'. 
Of course there are many lUteral branches to 
these roads leading to valleys and settlements on 
either hand. From Cloverdale a good road ex- 
tends easterly to the far-famed Geysers; and 
westerly to Dry Creek Valley, and thence into 
the coast mountains. From Geyserville a road 
leads to the Skaggs Springs, a celebrated place 
of resort. From Healdsburg roads running 
both east and west tap a wide range of country. 
Santa Rosa is the focus of a regular system of 
lateral roads. The most important of these is 
the road by way of Forestville to Guerneville, 
and from thence by way of Ingrams to Fort 
Ross. That portion of this road between 
Guerneville and Ross is through a country 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



161 



of mountains and forests whicli will ever be a 
paradise to sportsmen. With two lines of rail- 
road, one ending at (Tuerneville and tlie otlier 
at Ingrams, these wilds of Sonoma County are 
rendered easy of access to those who seek a res- 
pite from the cares and toil of business life. 

Above mention is made that as the railroads 
advanced tlie stage coaches retired. With the 
exception of on a short line on the coast in the 
e.xtreme upper end of the county, and that be- 
tween Cloverdale and the Geyser Springs, the 
stages have entirely disappeared — they are a 
thing of the past. For many years after our 
raih'uads were completed, a man named Wash- 
ington Gilliam, who had long been a driver on 
our stage route, continued to run a two-horse 
thorough brace, taking a cross-route which gave 
accommodation to people between Stony Point 
and Tomales. At best, he made bnt a precari- 
ous living, but it was liis vocation, and he fol- 
lowed it to the end. On the occasion of his 
death, in 1882, his friend, Tom Gregory, of 
Bloomfield, penned the following graceful lines: 

" WASH. <;II,HAJI SI.EKl'S. 

"The old stage-driver came (juietly into town 
just as he had done off and on for some fourteen 
years. P>)it this time he came slower than 
usual. He had a new team, but the horses 
tramped solemnly along as if they knew that 
pace suited the occasion — or knew that some- 
tiiing was amiss with the solemn man behind 
them. The old driver had a strange look on 
his face that we had never seen before — the 
look of one who is moving deeply in a mystic 
spell. He always was rather (juiet, but now his 
silence was almost appalling. When the team 
stoi)ped, his old friends anxiously gathered 
around him, but lie did not seem to know them, 
for he spoke not a word. Gne grasped his 
hand, but no ]ires8ure was returned. The fu- 
neral that day was conducted by the Masons, and 
as he was a member of tluit mystic brntherhood, 
he took his place in the procession and with 
them moved toward the cometery. Soon they 
were all at the graveside. Pausing a moment 
on the brink, the old stage-driver went slowly 



and steadily down his last grade; the silver nail 
heads on the cotHn sparkled star-like in the 
gloom of the still, dark depths. Dust unto 
dust, ashes unto ashes. The bright little spray 
of evergreen and the dull valley clods mingled 
together as her dear mother earth folds around 
and hides away each home-returning child. 
They spread young wings for lofty Hights 
through life's warm golden dawn, but at chill 
eve come wearily back to slumber on her broad 
and loving breast. The crowd went quietly 
from out the enclosure and left him there alone. 
Now only a low narrow mound, which in a few 
days will be grass-grown, marks the spot where 
Wash. Gilham sleeps." 

KIVKKS AND WATKK ((iLKsES. 

The rivers and water-courses ot Sonoma 
County are peculiar in character. The Pet 
aluma and Sonoma creeks are estuaries of San 
Pablo Pay. The ebb and How of tide in these 
streams are about six feet in depth. This, 
with the natural depth of water at extreme low 
tide, enables vessels of from sixty to one hun- 
dred tons burthen to navigate them up to the 
cities of Petaluma and Sonoma, respectively. 
These tide streams are of incalculable \alue as 
arteries of commerce. They atford cheap trans- 
portation of freight to San Francisco, and ati'urd 
an effectual bar to freight extortions by other 
mediums of transportation. Both of these es- 
tuaries have, beyond the reach of salt water 
tides, fresh water fountains that abound in tis-h 
of various kinds. 

The San Antonio Creek that forms the 
boundary between Sonoma and Marin counties 
on the south takes its rise in what was called 
the Laguna de San Antonio (i)ut now drained) 
and has an entire length of not more than 
twelve miles. It does not atford much water 
in mid-summer, although in rainy seasons it 
becomes a torrent. The Santa Kosa and Mark 
West creeks are fed by innumerable tributaries 
taking their rise in the Macnway range of 
mountains, and which abound in trout. Dur- 
ing the summer months botli these streams are 



HISTORT OF SONOMA COUNTT. 



lost ill tliu Santa Kusa plains, luit during tlie 
winter or rainy months they debuiieh into the 
lagooiias north ot' Sehastopol, and from thence 
tlieir waters reach the Russian River. 

Sulphur Creek takes its rise in the (4eyser 
group of mountains and empties into the Rus- 
sian River north of Cloverdale. 

Dry Creek takes its rise in Mendocino Coun- 
ty and enters Sonoma County just below Dry 
Creek canon, and tiows into the Russian River 
near Healdsburg. During the suininer it is 
barely a trout stream, but in the winter it often 
becomes a roaring torrent. 

The Russian River is a stream of peculiarly va- 
riable moods. It heads high up in Mendocino 
County and is the artery of drainage to an im- 
mense section of country. In the summer months, 
in consequence of the gravelly and porous nature 
of the country it traverses it sinks away and is 
easily fordable at all points. But in the winter 
months, especially if the rain fall has been 
copious, it becomes an angry, incontrollable 
river. It enters Sonoma County just north of 
Cloverdale, and for many miles has a southerly 
course with but little fall, until it readies a 
point nearly opposite Healdsburg, where it sud- 
denly deflects to the west, plunges down 
through the redwood forests, and reaches the 
ocean a few miles north of liodega Bay. There 
are not a few who l)elieve that Russian River 
once flowed uiiinipeded to San Pablo Bay, but 
this is but the surmise of scientists. 

Austin Creek, heading in the north on the 
dividing line that forms the head waters of the 
southern branch of the Giialala River, flows 
south and falls into the Russian River at Dun- 
can's mills. It is a mild, placid stream from 
Ingrams down in the summer months, but in 
winter has its own way, and puts on the airs of 
a very consequential stream. 

The southern limb of the Gualala River 
takes its rise in the mountains immediately 
east of Fort Ross. It runs in an e.xactly oppo- 
site direction from the Austin Creek, and after 
traversing a country for many miles of the 
moBt wild and {'''atid scenic ifrandeur it falls into 



the main Gualala River about three miles above 
where the latter river flows into the Paciflc 
Ocean. The country traversed by the South 
Gualala, and its fountain streams, will ages 
hence be the resort of those who seek com- 
munion with the untarnished grandeur of Na- 
ture. Locked ill those fastnesses, beyond the 
sordid grasp of pelf and gain, is a wealth of 
respite from the toil and moil of life that will 
be appreciated by the generations of the future. 

The Estero Americano is a tide stream up 
to Valley Ford, and from thence upward is but 
the water conduit of the streams leading from 
Big Valley westward. These streams are in- 
consequential except in the winter season. 

The latest water-way to be noted is that drain- 
ing the water-shed of country compassed in 
Two Rock Valley. The water of these various 
streams And their way into an estuary of the 
ocean in Marin County, about midway between 
Tomales Bay and the Estero Americano. 

There is a peculiarity of the topography of 
the country right here worth mentioning. The 
ranch at present owned by Allen Rosebnrg, 
about eight miles north from Petaluma, is the 
saddle of a tridant. The water-shed of the 
northerly portion of the ranch sends its water 
down through Two Rock Valley and thence to 
the ocean through the channel last above de- 
scribed. The waters from the southerly slope 
of this ranch flow into the Petaluma Creek; 
and the water from the western side of the 
place flows westerly and through the medium of 
Salmon Creek falls into Tomales Bay. 

BAYS AND COVES. 

Along the ocean line of Sonoma County are 
several bays and coves affording good anchor- 
age for vessels. Bodega l!ay is a land-locked 
harbor affording good anchorage for vessels. It 
is about two miles long and one mile wide. Its 
entrance is somewhat narrow and dithcult of 
access in stormy weather, but vessels once inside 
are safe and secure. About ten miles north- 
ward, at Russian Gulch, there is a cove where 
vessels land and take on lumber by means of a 



HI8T0RT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



chute. At Fort Ross there is a very good 
landing, and vessels come and go with great 
regularity, carrying to San Francisco railroad 
ties, cord wood and tan bark. At Timber Cove is 
also a landing for vessels. Salt Point has a very 
good landing for vessels, so also has Fisk's and 
Stuart's Points. At all these places are chutes 
for sliding lumber and freights of various kinds 
down into the vessels moored Ijelow. The 
traveler along the coast is constantly astonished 
to beliold the masts of vessels close in shore 
where lie would least expect to see them. These 
bays and coves on the northwest coast of Sono- 
ma County are the mediums of a lumber trade 
both vast and protitiible. 

coLONKr. TETEIl UnXAHUK. 

As Sonoma County was largely indebted to 
the late Col. Peter Donahue for her railroad 
facilities we account it but just to afford his 
name some space in Sonoma County history. 
Of his death, the Petaluma Argus of November 
28, 1885, said: 

"Col. Peter Donahue died at his ri'sidence in 
San Francisco at 10 o'clock Thursday evening. 
He had been ill several days, but a fatal ter- 
mination was not anticipated until within a few 
hours of his death. He seemed to have had a 
complication of ailments, but diabetes is given 
as the immediate cause of death. Thus has 
come to an end a remarkably active aii<] useful 
life. Peter Donahue was eminently the archi- 
tect of his own fortune. The foundation of his 
fortune was laid with his own brawny arms 
while toiling at the forge. AVith far-seeing 
sagacity he made investments and inaugurated 
enterprises that not only brought himself rich 
returns, but gave lucrative employment and 
prosperity to thousand of others. With all his 
vast accumulations of wealth, Peter Donahue 
never forgot or looked down superciliously upon 
those occupying the walks of life he himself 
once trod. We have neither time nor space for 
more extended mention of the deceased at this 
time, and conclude by saying that in the death 
of Peter Donahue, San Francisco and California 



has lost a most enterprising and valuable citi- 
zen." 

Continuing the Argus said: '• We last week 
announced the death of Colonel Peter Donahue. 
To the San Francisco BuUetiu we are indebted 
for the following biographical sketch: 

" The deceased was born of Irish parents in 
Glasgow, Scotland, on the 11th of January, 
1822. In 1835 he emigrated with his mother 
to America, settling at Matteawan, which is now 
a portion of Fishkill Township, Dutchess 
County, New York. He worked some two 
years in a cotton factory and then entered a 
locomotive manufactory in Patterson, New 
Jersey. In 1847 he was appointed engineer of 
the Peruvian war steamer Itimal. Mr. Donahue 
arrived in San Francisco on the steamer Oregon, 
June 18, 1849, and proceeded to the mines. 
Snlisequently he returned to this city, where he 
met his brothers James and Michael. lie and 
James established a blacksmith shop on Mont- 
gomery street, and about a year afterward they 
removed to First street. In 1852 tlie firm 
obtained the franchise for lighting the city with 
gas, and within two years gas works were estab- 
lished. 

•' Peter Donahue also established a line of 
steamers on the Sacramento River. In 18(')1 
he obtained a street railroad franchise and estab- 
lished what is known as the Omnibus line. The 
same year he obtained a contract for raising and 
rebuilding the sunken monitor Comanche for the 
defense of this harbor. The first casting melted 
and molded in this State was done at the Union 
Foundry, by Messrs. Donahue, for the old pio- 
neer steamer McK'un, the blasts for the furnace 
being prepared by three blacksmiths' bellows, 
which are now the jT'operty of the Mechanics' 
Institute. The first quartz mill constructed in 
this State was made at the Donahue foundry. 
A building is now in the course of construction 
where the old Donahue shop and wharf existed 
on First street in 1850. In 1862 Mr. Donahue 
and a few associates built the railroad from this 
city to San Jose, and subsequently continued it 
to Gilroy, a distance of about eighty miles. This 



HISTOar OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



road was subsequeutlj sold to Stauford & Co. 
A broad gauge road was also built by Mr. 
Donahue from the town of Donahue, on Peta- 
luma Creek to Cloverdale, a distance of fifty 
miles. All of the rolling stock for this road 
was constructed at the Donahue foundry. A 
branch road was built from Fulton to Russian 
River, a distance of eighteen miles, and from 
Petaluma to San Rafael twenty-two miles in 
length. This latter branch has been extended 
from San Rafael to Point Tibnrou on Raccoon 
Straits, which is connected with this city by a 
ferry line. In 1879 Donahue and his associates 
purchaseil the unlinisiied narrow gauge from 
Sonoma to Sonoma Creek, which they completed. 
For a quarter of a century Mr. Donahue was 
director of the Ilibernia Bank, and for over 



twenty years a director of the iS'^ational Gold 
Bank. He was a life member of the Pioneer 
Society. 

"The deceased married Miss JaneMcGnire in 
New York in 1852, by whom he had four chil- 
dren, two of whom are living. A few years ago 
the daughter married Baron von Scliroeder, and 
until recently lias resided in the southern part 
of the State. The son, Mervyn, a few years ago 
married the daughter of ex-Supreme Judge 
Wallace, and resides at San Rafael. On the death 
of the first wife, Mr. Donahue married Miss 
Anna Downey, sister of ex-Governor Downey. 

" The deceased was a courteous and companion- 
able gentleman who well represented the dignity 
of labor as an intelligent and industrious 
mechanic." 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



165 



^V^ 




■>-j»t^ '«^. 



mijk 



'^^::t^ 



m EVENTS IN CHEONOLOGK AL OEDEE. 



^i^ 



ClIAPTEPv XVII. 

A RECORD OF TKARS rNCFDENTS ACCfDKNTS — ociT RRENclOS — niscoVERIKS DEVELOPMENTS, ETC. 



N anotlier chapter has been given an epitome 
of all the occnrrences of a year, as recorded 
^ in the only journal then published in the 
county. We now take up the thread of current 
events where these dropped, and follow it to the 
end. 

September I'.l, 1856 — The first Republican 
uiass convention assembled in the dining-room 
of the old Petaluma House. 

September 26, 1856 — The settlers held a mass 
convention at Santa Kosa. 

(October 3, 1856 -The subject of opening a 
road north to AV^eavervillc was being agitated. 

December 9, 1856— Dr. H. B. Bonham, 
county superintendent of public instruction, re- 
ported the condition of the schools in the 
county. 

January 23, 1857 — W. A. I)\ister, county 
treasurer, proved a defaulter for several thou- 
sand dollars — was tried; sentenced to the peni- 
tentiary for five years, and pai-doned by the 
Governor at the end of three years. 

April 10, 1857— The Round Valley Indian 
i-eser\atioti, Mendocino County, established an 
agent. John Hendley reported several thou- 
sand Indians there, and doing well. 

June 5, 1857 — J. A. Rudesill commenced 
running a stage from Petaluma to the Geyser 
Springs. 



June 12, 1857— At Bodega, an Indian killed 
one of his tribe — confessed the crime, and was 
hung by order of "Judge Lynch." 

September 4, 1857 — A large camp-meeting 
was held at Liberty school-house. 

September 16, 1857 — Three Indians were 
hung near Fort Ross by a vigilance committee. 
A peace ofiicer was present and forbade the 
hanging, but it was of no avail. 

October 23, 1857 — There was (|uite an ex- 
citement over the supposed discovery of coal in 
Two Rock Valley. 

November 27, 1857— An elk weighing 800 
pounds was killed near Healdsburg. This was 
the last elk that there is any record of, and 
probably the last one ever in the county. 

February 12, 1858 — There was some excite- 
ment over the supposed disco\ery of cinnabar, 
near Petaluma. 

April 23, 1858— The beginning of trouble 
about squatters on the Sotoyome grant, near 
Healdsburg. 

October 4, 1858 — The celebrated comet that 
had for weeks been blazing in the heavens, be- 
gan to wane. 

April 8, 1859 — A. B. Bowers was workino- 
on a map of Sonoma County. When completed 
it was a most excellent farm maji, vei'v accurate 
in every detail. 



160 



HISTORY (IF SONOMA COUNTY. 



September 9, 1859 — The animal fair was lield 
at Healdsburg, and the interest manifested in 
Sonoma County industries was highly satisfac- 
tory. 

February 10, 1860 —Discovery of quicksilver 
near Mount St. Helena and the Geysers. 

June 15, 1860 — A monster grizzly bear was 
killed on Salmon Creek, Marin County, by J. 
S. Brackett, the Estee brothers, and others. It 
was brought to Petaluma and exhibited. It 
weighed 1,000 pounds, and had been very de- 
structive to stock. 

July 6, 1860 — The boundary line between 
Sonoma and Marin counties was finally placed 
as located by Surveyor William Mock in 1856; 
that is, following a straight line from the head 
of the Laguna de San Antonio, to the head of 
the Estero Americano at Yalley Ford. 

August 10, 1860 — A quarry of asbestos was 
found near Windsor. 

April 12, 1861 — The Legislature passed a bill 
submitting the question of county seat removal 
to a vote of the people. 

May 24, 1861 — Joe Hooker, of Sonoma, left 
for the theater of the civil war. He became 
the celebrated " Fighting General Joe Hooker " 
of that unfortunate conflict. 

Ifoveniber 26, 1861 — Lady Franklin, relict of 
the ill-fated Sir John Franklin of Arctic Ocean 
fame, visited Sonoma County, accompanied by 
her niece. Miss Craycroft. 

January 21, 1862 — From Petaluma and other 
portions of the county liberal aid was sent to 
the sufterers by flood at Sacramento. 

February 11, 1862— Charles Minturn, of the 
Steamer line, straightens a couple of bends in 
the creek, below Petaluma. 

June 25, 1862 — There was considerable pros- 
pecting for coal in the easterly side of Santa 
Rosa Yalley, opposite the old Half-way House. 

November 9, 1862 — Judge McKinstry re- 
signed the position of judge of the seventli 
judicial district, and Hon. J. B. Southard was 
appointed to the position. 

December 3, 1862 — Suit was commenced for 
the partition of the Rancho Laguna de San 



Antonio, comprising over 24,000 acres. This 
ranch was familiarly known as the " Bojorques 
Rancho,'" and the history of this litigation is 
scattered through over- twenty volumes of the 
California Supreiue Court Reports. 

August 5, 1863 — There was great excitement 
about the discoveiy of copper in the mountains 
about eighteen miles westerly from Healds- 
bui'g. Copper, in small quantities, in a pure 
state, was found, and much prospecting was 
done, but with no paying results. 

November 2, 1865 — A railroad company was 
organized in Petaluma for the purpose of build- 
ing a railroad from Petaluma to Cloverdale. 
There were various moves and counter-moves 
about railroads. The question of location, and 
the granting of a subsidy of 85,000 a mile came 
to a vote on the 10th of September, 1868. The 
subsidy was voted, and the route from Petaluma 
to Cloverdale selected. Work was prosecuted 
for a time in 1869. then was stopped. Colonel 
Peter Donahue bought the road and franchise on 
August 10, 1870, and on October 29, 1870, the 
first cars ran between Petaluma and Santa Rosa. 
In 1872 the road was completed to Cloverdale. 

November 9, 1865 — There was a heavy rain- 
storm northward along the coast. At the Gua- 
lala River the saw-log boom of the Rutherford 
Milling Company broke, and about 4,000,000 
feet of lumber went out to sea. Three schooners 
were wrecked upon the coast. 

March 29, 1866 — Michael Ryan was executed 
at Santa Rosa, for the crime of killing his wife. 
This is the only case of capital punishment yet 
on record in Sonoma County. 

November 15, 1866 — A destructive lire oc- 
curred at Sonoma, and a number of buildings 
were destroyed. 

November 7, 1867 — Mineral paint of good 
quality was found near the mill of O. A. Olm- 
stead, in the redwoods. 

November 28, 1868 — A stage robbery 
occurred near Cloverdale. 

December 10, 1868— The schooner C. P. 
Heustis, Captain H. Piltz, went ashore near 
Fort Ross, and was a total wreck. No lives lost. 



BISTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



167 



January 21, 1869. — A petrified tree was 
found while grading for tlie railroad, on the 
Cotate Branch. 

March 18, 18(39 — According to the school 
census Sonoma County had more school chil- 
dren than any other comity in the State, except 
San Francisco. 

August 19, 1871 — A daring attempt was 
made to rob the Cloverdale stage. The driver, 
Sandy Woodworth, would not stop, and as a 
consequence got a bullet tlirough his cheek, and 
a young man, named Cofhn, on the seat beside 
him was killed. 

F^ebruary 24, 1872 — A large whale was 
stranded on the shore near Timber Cove, and 
the coast residents laid in a supply of whale oil. 

March 16, 1872— The Donahue line of rail- 
road was completed and in running order to 
Cloverdale. 

May 25, 1872 — This was an era of road im- 
provement around Petaluma and in the county 
at large. Many miles of excellent macadam- 
ized roads were constructed. 

September 6, 1872 — A. Doty & Co. estab- 
lished a broom factory near Penn's Grove. 

August 1, 1873 — Elijah McMurray, a former 
resident of Two Rock Yalley, had a fearful en- 
coTinter with a wounded buck, and finally proved 
victor, although badly wounded and lacerated. 

November 21, 1873 — A telegraphic line was 
completed from Petaluma to Humboldt Bay, 
and there was Fraternal greeting between the 
presses of Sonoma and Humboldt counties. 

May 1, 1874 -The schooner Horace Tem,- 
plcton was wrecked in Petaluma Creek on what 
is known as the " sunken rock.'' 

May 29, 1874— The basalt blocks of Sonoma 
County began to be used extensively for paving 
in San Francisco. 

June 26, 1874— The Forestville Chair Factory 
becomes an important manufacturing industry. 

Sept&mber 18, 1874 — A destructive fire 
occurred at Bodega Corners. 

November 27, 1874 — This was a season of 
floods to Sonoma County, on account of excessive 
rains. 



April 16, 1875 — The steamer James M. 
Donahue was completed and commenced run- 
ning between San Francisco and Lakeville. 

April 30, 1875— Granville P. Swift, one of 
the " Bear Flag party," and once a wealthy citi- 
zen of Sonoma County, who had money buried 
by the thousands of dollars, was found with his 
neck broken, in Solano County — his mule 
having stumbled and fallen over a precipice. 

June 4, 1875 — A new townshi p was created 
by the county board of supervisors called 
" Knight's Yallej'." 

June 18, 1875 — A test case was agreed upon 
to settle the disputed boundary question be- 
tween Sonoma and Napa Counties. The 
decision was in favor of Sonoma County. 

October 27, 1876— The Petaluma and San 
Rafael Narrow Guage Railroad was sold and 
transferred to Colonel Peter Donahue. 

January 18, 1878 — This was a season of un- 
usual floods to Sonoma Covmt^', and considera- 
ble damage was done. 

April 19, 1878 — The up-coast stage was 
robbed at a point near the Gualala River. 

December 27, 1878 — Congress was petioned 
for $25,000 to aid in improving Petaluma Creek. 
The subsidy was granted and tlie creek much 
improved. 

January 30, 1880 — The valleys of Sonoma 
County were covered with snow, a very unusual 
occurrence. 

August 20, 1881 — A destructive fire occurred 
at Sebastopol. 

February 3, 1882 — Foot-pads robbed the 
Cloverdale stage. 

September 1, 1882— J. R. Jewell of Peta- 
luma Township Iniilt the first silo in the county. 

March 17, 1883— The Pacific Narrow Guage 
Railroad was extended to Ingrams. 

October 6, 1883— The Northern Pacific Rail- 
road was completed to deep water at Tiburon. 

The new steamer Gold, to run between San 
Francisco and Petaluma, was completed. 

December 8, 1883 — The first stone of the 
new court-house at Santa Rosa was laid. 

September 25, 1886 — The first canning 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



establislniient at Santa Rusa was destroyud by 
iire. 

June 18, 1887 — Tlie work of building a 
branch railroad from Pacheco Station to con- 
nect with the Sonoma Valley Railroad was com- 
menced. 

July 30, 1888~The northern end of the 
count}', from Santa Rosa upward, has a large 
showing of new vineyards and orchards. 

Below we give a full list of the present towns 
and villages of Sonoma County, in alphabetical 
order, outside of Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Sonoma 
and llealdsburg, that are i-egularly incorporated 
cities: 

America is ten miles north of Santa Rosa; 
including the immediate vicinity; it has a popu- 
lation of 250. It is more wideh' known as 
Mark West Springs. It has a hotel and post- 
ottice and is a resort for tourists and invalids. 
A stage line affords communication with Santa 
Rosa. 

Bloomfield is a thriving comumtiity at the 
head of Big Valley, twelve miles north of Peta- 
luma. The population is about 350. The 
village has a full complement of stores, churches 
and societies; a good hotel is maintained. It 
has communication by stage with Petaluma. 
It is growing and offers inducements to settlers. 

Bodega is eighteen miles north of Petaluma, 
and located on Bodega Bay in the midst of a 
line dairy country from which, with the fishing 
business, it derives its support. It boasts of a 
hotel, postoffice and express office. 

Clahr'dJe is located- twenty three miles north- 
west from Santa Rosa on the line of the S. F. 
cV- N. P. It. li. If is in the midst of a farming 
an<l vino growing disti'ict. There are sevei-al 
wineries in the inimediatt' neighborhdod. It 
has a population of l."U. Skaggs" S]irin<;s are 
six miles distant fnun tiiis point with which 
communication is maintained liy stage. 

Cliiverdale. — Cloverdale is fourth in point of 
wealth and population amongst the towns of 
Sonoma County. It is the present terminus of 
tlie San Francisco and North Pacific iiaiiroad, 
and is distaut thirty-three miles northwest of 



Santa Rosa and eighty-four miles from San Fran- 
cisco. It is in the midst of a large and pro- 
ductive region, and is the center of trade for 
the wool interest and extensive hop fields of 
this part of the country. The climate here is 
more bracing than in the southern portion of 
Sonoma, and is especially adapted to the growth 
of the hardier varieties of fruits. The popula- 
tion is about 1,400 and is steadily growing. 
The leading denominations have places of wor- 
ship with good congregations. All the leading 
secret and fraternal orders and societies have 
flourishing organizations. Hotel accommoda- 
tions are good. The town is amply supplied 
with water furnished by the Cloverdale Water 
Company. Real estate is low, and the oppor- 
tunities offered to the settler are unexcelled by 
those of other places. Stages leave here for 
Ukiah, Mendocino City, Eureka and other points 
on the North Coast, and for all points in Lake 
County and northern Napa. A railroad will, 
in a few months, connect it with Ukiah, Men- 
docino County. The Cloverdale Reveille ably 
advocates the interests of the community. It 
is published weekly. 

Cozzens. — A small burg located a i^^^ miles 
distant from Healdsburg. It has a population 
of 150 and is surrounded by a prosperous farm- 
ing and wine growing community. A sawmill 
is located here and a general merchandise store 
supplies the needed requirements of the village. 

JJuncan'x M\U>< is located fhirty miles north 
from Petaluma. It has communication with 
San Francisco by the North Pacific Coast "Rail- 
road. It is supported by important lumber, 
dairy and stock raising interests. The Duncan's 
Mill's LantI and Lumber t'omjiany saw mills are 
located here. The population is about 250. 
The surrounding coiintr}- is noted for its 
romantic and pictures(jue scenery, and abun- 
dance of game and fish. It is a favorite resor- 
for the tourist, the sportsman and for camping 
parties during the summer months. Stages 
leave here for all points in ^Lendocino anil Hum- 
boldt (tonnties. 

J''is/i<ri'iiiitii's lln/ is located on the coast 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



above Fort Ross. A population of 200 is sup- 
ported by the farming interest and employment 
at the saw ami shingle mills which are located 
liere. 

/'Isk's Mills is a small village of about 150 
population, in Salt Point Township, distant 
about twelve miles north of Fort Ross. Com- 
munication is had with Duncan's Mills by stage. 

Forestville is distant twelve miles northwest 
of Santa Rosa, on the S. F. tte N. P. R. R. 
Large quantities of tan-bark are shipped from 
this point. A rustic chair factory is located 
here. The business community consists of a 
hotel, blacksmith shops and two general mer- 
chandise stores. The surrounding country is 
devoted to farming. 

Fort lioss is a small settlement forty-two 
miles north of Petaluma. It contains many 
reminders of the early days wdien a Russian 
colony was located here. It is one of the old- 
est settlements on the northern coast of Califor- 
nia. The population is about 130, who are 
principally engaged in stock raising and farm- 
ing. It is connected with Duncan's Mills by 
stage. 

Freestone is on the line of the North Pacific 
Coast Railroad. The population is about 175, 
supported by the dairying and farming carried 
on in the vicinity. 

Fvlton. — An ambitious and growing village 
on the line of the S. F. & N. P. R. R., four 
miles from Santa Rosa, is surrounded by a rich 
agricultural district. Considerable fruit is 
raised here. The population is 200, dependent 
upon the fruit and farming interests of the 
vicinity. From this place a branch of the S. 
F. it N. P. R. R. extends to (xuerneville. 

(jreyser Springs are located sixteen miles 
from Cloverdale, from whicli place they are 
reached by stage. It is a noted health and pleas- 
ure resort. The numerous mineral springs in 
the vicinity are the chief attraction. 

GuerneviUe. — The progressive and j^rosperous 
town of GuerneviUe is situated in the midst of 
a large lumber producing district, and is sur- 
rounded by forests of redwood; a branch of the 



8. F. & N. P. R. R. has its terminus at this 
point. The town derived its name from one of 
its pioneer residents who is engaged in the large 
milling interests of the town. There are four 
extensive lumber mills located in the town, em- 
ploying a large number of men. The present 
population is variously estimated at from 750 to 
900. As the forests are being cleared oft' the 
land is put under cultivation, producing fine 
crops of vegetables and cereals, and a large yield 
of fruit. The Korbel mills located about three 
miles up the Russian River, are the most exten- 
sive lumber mills in the county. Considerable 
attention has of late been paid to the vine, and 
many acres have been set out. In addition to 
the lumber mills, there is also a box factory and 
shingle mill in active operation. The prospects 
of this town are very bright. Its rapid growth 
and prosperity are assured. 

Kellogg. — A summer resort, sixteen miles 
from Santa Rosa, witli which it is connected by 
stage. 

Lakeside is a thriving and growing village, 
twenty-two miles southeast of Santa Rosa. 
There are large farming, dairy and stock raising 
interests in the vicinity ; the population is about 
150. 

Litton Springs. — A noted health and pleas- 
ure resort, four miles from Healdsburg, on the 
S. F. & N. P. R. R. The water of the mineral 
springs located here is bottled and finds a mar- 
ket all over the State. The Litton Sprino-s 
College is located at this point. The countrv 
in the neighborhood is rich and productive, and 
inviting to settlement. 

Mark West is on the line of the S. F. ct N. 
P. R. R. six miles north of Santa Rosa. The 
leading interests of the vicinity ure farmiiio-, 
fruit and vine growing. The population is 
about 100. I'he surrounding country is I'ich 
and fertile and excellently ada])te(l to the growth 
of vines and fruit. 

Occidental. — This, growing and prosperous 
town is located on the line of the North Pacific 
Coast Railroad, about thirty miles north of Peta- 
luma. Farming, fruit growing and lumber 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



iDamifacturing are the principal industries in 
wliicii tlie inhabitants are engaged. Tiie popula- 
tion is 225. 

Penn^s Grove is a sinall .<ettlen)ent live 
miles north of Petalnina mi tlif line of the S. F. 
& N. I'. R. R. It is in the midst of a large 
vine gniwiiig an<l wine producing district. The 
population is 125. 

Timlier Core is foi-tj'-tive miles north of 
Petahima, and has a popidation of 100. The 
occupation of the residents is mainly farming, 
stock raising, and dairying. It is known by 
the Post Oftice Department as ISeaview. 

iSkaf/ffs' Sjyringfi, — Has long been noted as a 
liealtli and pleasure resort, twenty-nine miles dis- 
tant from Santa Rosa. A stage connects it with 
Clairville, si.x miles distant. Tiie jiopulation is 
about 115, who are principally engaged in wool 
raising. 

Smith's Iian<]i, or more generally known 
as Bodega Roads, is twenty-five miles north' of 
Petaluma, and is on the line of the North Paci- 
fic Coast Railroad. The people of the surround- 



ing country are principally engaged in dairying 
and farming, from which their support is chiefly 
derived. The population is about is 250. 

Stiiiiy Point — Is located seven miles north of 
Petaluma in the midst of a large fruit, dairy and 
farming region. Thepopidation is about 20U, in- 
cluding those residing in the immediate vicinity. 

Valley Ford is one of the prosperous com- 
munities of Sonotna. It is on the line of the 
North Pacific Coast R. R., eighteen miles north 
of Petahima. It boasts of a flouring mill. The 
population is about 250. It is snppoi-fed by 
the large dairying, farming, and stock raising 
interest by which it is surrounded. 

Windsor is another of the large aud thrifty 
villages of Sonoma County. It is ten miles 
northwest of Santa Rosa, in the midst of a large 
farming and fruit growing section. There are 
many vineyards in the neighborhooil aud several 
nurseries. It has a population of 400. The 
village boasts of a brick manufactory, several 
fruit-drying establishments, and other industries 
of minor imnortance. 



HISTORY OF SONOMA GOUNTT. 




INDIAN MASSACRES. 




CHAPTEFl XYIIl. 



Ill-fated^ Sonoma Countians — -Doctor Smeathman — Canfield, Van NosTRANn and Borton 

Barnes — Judson, Woodworth, Baker and "Old Benjamin" — Leihy — Mrs. Sai.lie Ann 
Canfield. 



flHE early American settlers of Sonoma 
W. Count}' luckily escaped the clangers and 
J bloody episodes of Indian warfare so com- 
mon to those who follow close upon the foot- 
steps of receding barbarism. Their immunity 
from these usual accompaniments of frontier 
life are traceable to three causes. As early as 
1811, as has already been shown, the Rus- 
sians had secured a lodgment on this coast, 
and held real, if not undisputed, sway from 
Bodega Bay to the Ciualala River. Those Mus- 
covites came, not only prepared with ample 
munitions of war to make their presence felt 
and respected, but they liriHight with them 
quite a little army of Koiliac Indians who, like 
all the Indians of the northern latitudes, were 
much superior in intelligence and physical 
courage to the dull apathetic Indians of Cen- 
tral California. AVhatever there may be yet of 
unwritten history clustering around Fort Ross, 
it is quite probable that the shortest chapter 
would be that compassing the recital of Indian 
warfare against the Russians. Then, again, 
for several years by actual official Dccupancy, the 
California government had exercised complete 



dominion over all the southern portion of the 
county and up the valleys, inland, as far north 
as the present site of Cloverdale. But there 
was another factor, the third and last, more 
effectual than the combined power of Spaniards 
and Russians in paving the way for a peaceable 
and bloodless occupation of this fair county by 
settlers, and that was the pestilence of 1837. 
Before its destroying breath, there is good 
reason to believe many thousand Indians per- 
ished within the territory now embraced in 
Sonoma, Marin, Napa and Solano counties. 
Where tribes were not entirely swept away, 
they were so reduced in numbers as to virtually 
put an end to organized tribal distinctions. 
Before they had time to rally from this broken 
and shattered condition, the tidal wave of ad- 
vancing civilization engulfed them. While the 
historian of Sonoma County is spared the re- 
cital of bloody and tragic deeds consequent 
upon civilization and barbarism meeting upon 
debatal)le grounds, they to whom shall fall the 
task of embalming in volumes the histories of 
Mendocino and Ilumbolt counties will have to 
dip their pens deep in blood. 



BISTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



While the boundaries of Sonoma County was 
ever a sliield to lier citizens against danger from 
Indians, not a few wandered fortli and tVli vic- 
tims to Indian savagery elsewliei-c. It is due 
to the memory of such to give their names, and 
tragic manner of death, a place in this volume. 
They are given in chronological order, and with 
all the minuteness of time, place and attendant 
circumstances, at command. 
• In the early sixties Rev. H. O. G. Smeatli- 
inan was installed rector of St. John's Episcopal 
Church, Petal uma. He was an Englishman by 
birth, and had a tinished education, being a 
regular graduate of a medical college of the 
land of his nati\ity. lie was a gentleman as 
unassuming and honorable as he was a Chris- 
tian kind and exemplary. In 1863 he resigned 
the rectorship of his church and went to the 
tlien. Territory of Nevada. Having a good 
knowledge of mineralogy he entered with zeal 
into the search for hidden lodes of silver which 
just then was the center of attraction to the 
mining world. He was in the habit of ventur- 
ing forth alone and penetrating the depths of 
solitary wilds. The following brief letter, 
signed '-J. M. Case,'' and addressed to Mrs. 
Smeathman, tells the rest: 

"Star City, N. T., March 30, 1864. 

"Mrs. Sarah Smkatuman, Dear Friend: — 
" The party who went out to see after the 
remains of your husband liave just returned. 
Although it stormed every day they were gone, 
they succeeded in iinding his remains, unmo- 
lested by any wild beasts or anything after the 
Indians left him. They found that he was shot 
by aritle ball, entering the back of his head and 
coming out at his right eye. He had no other 
marks or bruises on his body, but his 
clothes were entirely stripped from him and 
taken away. The party found it impossiJile to 
bring the remains in without a wagon and a 
coffin, but they buried him as well as they 
could, so that if it is still the wish of his friends 
to have him sent to California it can be done, 
but it will cost considerable."' 

Close followiutf the cruel fate of the ill-starred 



Dr. Smeathman, three more of Sonoma Coun- 
ty's sons, citizens of Eloomfield, fell victims to 
savage atrocity, near the same place, and at the 
hands of the same Indians who killed the former. 
Hon. E. F. Dunne, a former Representative in 
the California Legislature fi-om Sonoma County, 
in a letter of date. Star City, N. T., May 9, 
1864, addressed to the " Wells Fargo Agent, 
Rloomlield," wrote as follows: 

" We have had another Indian massacre here, 
and three of your townsmen are killed — II. I>. 
Cantield, Perry Van Nostrand and J. W. Borton. 
E. M. Noble is shot in three places, and has 
almost miraculously escaped death, the slightest 
show that ever a man lived on in this world. 

"The above named persons were on their way 
to Boise, and on Queen's River, distant about 
seventy-five miles from here, fell in with three 
persons who were out prospecting. They had 
stopped for dinner, and had turned their horses 
out to graze, having taken oft' the saddles. 
They were surprised by a band of sixty Indians 
who fired upon them from behind some rocks. 
It was certain death to attempt to run away 
on foot, so they made for their horses. Noble 
got his horse sooner than the rest and had him 
saddled, having only taken oft' the bridle, and 
might have escaped without a shot, but he 
turned and with a six shooter in each hand stood 
his ground and kept the whole band at bay till 
his comrades should get their horses and saddle 
them. While standing thus he was struck in 
the neck with a ball, entering a little behind 
the left ear down below the hair, and coining 
out about the middle of the back of the neck, 
barely missing the neck bone. A few moments 
later he was struck in the abdomen, on the left 
side, in the lineof the navel, some five inches dis- 
tant therefrom. He thinks both these shots 
were fired by the same marksman, as he noticed 
him taking sight. He watched for his appear- 
ance the third time, and as he showed his head 
above the rock behind which he was concealed, 
he fired at him, and thinks he hit him, as he 
saw him no more. But the boys were not 
ready yet, and he still stood his ground. He 



HT8T0RT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



173 



was not knocked down by either shot. The 
otliors who were not yet killed, were now ready. 
Bnt just as Xohle was preparinn; to mount, he 
was struck again, e.sca])ing inure wonderfully 
than before. Tlie ball entered from the front, 
on the left side, striking right at tlie base of the 
])elvi8 and passing under it, came out a little 
back of the right hip joint, and yet apparently 
not injuring him in the least, further than the 
pain of a ilesli wound, (/antield, Van Nostrand, 
and I'orton, with Dodge one of the pros- 
pecting party, were already dead. The remain- 
ing two with Noble now jumped to their 
horses and escaped. The affair occurred Tues- 
day, May 3. The parties left struck for the 
Jjoise River trail, to get help to go back for 
the bodies, and met with Mr. Jordan (after 
whom Jordan Creek is named) and some men 
with him, some of whom took care of Noble, 
and Joi^dan and others with Gates (who was 
along and who, by the way, is an intimate friend 
of mine, and from whom 1 learn these particu- 
lars) went back to recover the bodies. But 
there had fallen fifteen inches of snow during 
the night and they could not find them, and the 
horses could not live, so they brought Noble 
down here, and a party will set out immediately 
from here to recover the bodies of the dead. 
Borton was killed the first shot. Canfield and 
Van Nostrand were hit. The broke from their 
horses and ran, and a number of Indians after 
them, and no more was seen of them. Dodge 
was killed on the second volley." 

The Petaluma Argus, of same date in which 
the above appeared, said editorially: 

" In another column will be found a letter 
from K. F. Unnne, Esij., giving an account of 
the murder, by Indians, of J. W. Borton, Berry 
Van Nostrand and II. B. Canfield, of Bloom- 
field, in this county. J. W. IJorton was, prior 
to the departure for the mines, our agent at 
J'loomtield; and when he bade us good-bye, we 
little dreamed that sucli an untimely fate was 
in store for him. Since Mr. Dunne's letter was 
placed in type we have received a communica- 
tion from our Star City, Nevada Territory, corre- 



spondent in relation to the same subject. The 
only apparent discrepancy between the two 
statements is in reference to i'orton. We make 
the following extract from the communication 
of our correspondent: 'While Dodge was sad- 
dling his horse he received a shot in the head 
and died instantly. Gates had the pi-esence of 
mind to grab the ammunition, and he. Noble 
and Kendall threw themselves on their horses 
and charged through the ranks of the savages 
who were fast closing around them, and under 
a perfect shower of balls and arrows — all their 
horses being pierced with several arrows each. 
Dodge was dead, Canfield and Van Nostrand 
dead or dying — while poor Borton was sitting 
where he was when shot — not even blessed with 
the sweet relief of a speedy death, with only 
his faithful watch-dug by his side, which, when 
last seen was determined tojierish in defense of 
his dying master.' " 

Cotemporaneous with the chronicling of the 
above bloody episode, the Argun contained the 
following brief mention: 

" James D. Barnes, who used tu reside in Two 
liock Valley, in this county, and brother to Dr. 
T. L. Barnes, of this city, was killed by Indians 
near Areata, Humboldt County, California, un 
the fifth inst. He was out some three miles 
from home looking for horses when he was at- 
tacked and wounded twice, once in the shoulder 
and once in the back. He succeeded in reach- 
ijig home, but died soon after. He was buried 
by the Masonic fraternity, of which order hi; 
was a member." 

Only eighteen months bud run their ccjurse 
when another requisition was made upon the 
citizens of I'loomfield and Big Valley for blood 
to slake savage thirst -the treacherous A})aches 
of Arizona Iteing the instrumentality, this 
time, of placing crape at the door of several 
Sonoma Countj' homes. In the early part of 
186t) there was much excitement over reported 
rich deposits of gold and silver in the Territory 
of Arizona. To every new liehl of mining ex- 
citement Sonoma County liad furnished her full 
(juota of seekers after the " golden fleece,'' and 



BISTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



many of them were in the vanguard of pros- 
pectors lured to Arizona. Andrew Jmlson, 
Ira D. AA'^oodworth and Metcalf iiaker, all from 
the neighborhood of Bloomfield, were betruiled 
by the stories of mines of almost fahnlous rich- 
ness, to abandon tlie qniet pursuits of agricul- 
ture, and seek in Arizona a speedier road to 
wealth. After much prospecting they at length 
staked their chances upon a mineral ledge in 
Sacramento district, some distance from Hardy- 
viile in tliat Territory. In this mining enter- 
prise tliey had associated with them a Mr. 
Noodles and a man known by the sobriquet of 
" Old Benjamin." That they had earnest faith 
in the richness of their mine, is evidenced by 
the fact that through the stubborn rock they 
had excavated a shaft to the depth of about 100 
feet. Whether inistaken or not as to the wealth 
of mineral below them, it can well be under- 
stood that in that desert place, surrounded by 
somber rocks that had been placed in their 
settings by the mighty forces of Nature, was, to 
them, centered much of hope and expectation in 
life. On the morning of the 29t]i of October, 
18i)6. they repaired to their work, doubtless, 
little dreaming that they were under the shadow 
of an impending calamity. Andrew Judson 
(we knew him well from sunny boyhood up to 
estate of manhood) had been lowered to the 
dark depths of the shaft, while his companions 
stood ready to winze up the tub, as filled with 
rock below. Their horses were picketed in the 
flats close by, wherever forage was to be found. 
The first intimation they had that the treacher- 
ous Apaches lay concealed behind the rocks was 
the ringing report of rifles upon the morning 
air. Woodworth, Baker and " Old Benjamin'' 
bit the dust, and Noodles, although shot through 
the body, made swift foot, and with knife in 
hand severed the picket rope of a horse, and 
vaulting upon his back, was the only one to 
escape to recount the tragic occurrence. Of 
the balance, human tongue never told, and only 
the recording angel knows what was the agony 
of poor Judson when his murdered companions, 
and jagged rocks, were tumbled down the shaft 



upon him by cruel Apache hands. That now 
deserted shaft, hewn down through rock, will 
perpetuate the story of one of Arizona's most 
tragic scenes. 

Wiieii calamity came t<i Sonoma •citizens 
abroad, at tiie hands of Indians, the first seems 
always to have presaged the swift coming of 
anotiier. In less than two months Ironi the oc- 
currence above narrated the Ari/i/.t chronicled 
the following: 

'■There apjiears to be a singular fatality that 
marks citizens of this county as victims of 
the iu\tred and fiendish barbarity of the Indians 
of adjacent territories. Only a few weeks since 
we clironicled the killing of three of our citizens 
in Arizona Territory, and again we are pained 
by the intelligence that another of our citizens 
has fallen a victim to the treacherous foe. G. 
W. Leihy, of this city, Indian agent for Arizona, 
and H. C. Everts, his clerk, were, Mhile on the 
road from Prescott to La Paz, on the 18th of 
November, killed by the Indians, and tiieir 
bodies subjected to all the atrocities peculiar to 
savage barbarity. Mr. Leihy was a resident of 
this county; and his wife and only child have 
resided in this city during his absence in 
Arizona. * * * We knew him well, and 
esteemed him highly as a gentleman and friend. 
Only a few months since he visited our oftice, 
and gave us much valuable information about 
Arizona; and when he bade us good-b}' we lit- 
tle thought that we would so soon be called 
upon to chronicle his death, under circumstan- 
ces so painful. 

" Since the above was placed in type, the fol- 
lowing letter, written by Mr. J. H. Stewart, 
who used to reside near Petaluma, has been 
handed us for publication: 

" ' Sax Bernaedino, Dec. 3, 186(5. 

'•'Mrs. Sarau Leihy — Dear Madam: — I 
have a task to perform, the most unpleasant of 
my life. I have been putting it off" for two 
days, and during that time I have scarcely slept 
at all ; the news has fairly stunned me. George 
is dead — killed bj' the Indians, as also his clerk, 
Mr. Everts. They were killed this side of 



HISTORY OF SONOMA GOUNTT. 



175 



Prescott, at a place called Bell's Canon, the 
same place that Mr. liell and Mr. Sage were 
killed last year. They were traveling alone 
with two Indians; one of them was his old ser- 
vant, the other was one of the River Indians, 
who was taken prisoner at Skull Valley this 
summer. It is supposed that they were attacked 
by a large number of Indians. I have got my 
news from men that I am acquainted with. 
They left Prescott two days after Mr. Leihy 
left, and came to the ground two days after the 
murder and saw his grave. They were buried 
by one citizen and some soldiers. They knew 
Mr. Leihy. He had left their camp about an 
hour, when the mule that Mr. Everts rode came 
back to camp. They then followed on and 
found them dead. They took them near the 
station and buried them. The two Indians who 
were with thera have not been found. The 
Indians killed one of George's horses and cut 
all the ineat off of it and took the other with 
them. They also burned his carriage and de- 
stroyed or carried off all that he had with him. 
You may hear of his death before you get this 
— I hope that I may not be the first to break 
the dreadful news to you, but I thought you 
would rather hear some of the particulars from 
me. I probably know more in regard to his 
affairs than any one else, and I wish you to 
communicate with me freely and I will do all 
for you that I can.' " 

As stated above, the two Indians accompany- 
ing Leihy and Everts were not found — and 
opinion was divided as to whether they, in con- 
certed treachery, had led their over-conliding 
companions into an ambuscade of fellow savages; 
or whether they had themselves been taken 
prisoners, and reserved for still more cruel tor- 
ture and mutilation than that which had been 
visited upon the lamented Leihy, whose head 
had been literally pounded to a pulp with 
stones. Some six months after the tragic occur- 
rence above narrated, the Arizona Miner pub- 
lished the following, which would seem to 
exonerate the missing In<lian companions of 
Leihy fiom the suspicion of treachery : 



"Among some Apache prisoners lately cap- 
tured by Colonel Ilgis in the Mazatzal Moun- 
tains and taken to Fort McDowell, was a squaw 
who, through an interpreter, gave the following 
particulars concerning the murder of George 
W. Leihy, superintendent of Indian affairs for 
this Territory, at Bell's Canon, November 18, 
1866. From the circumstantial and connected 
way in which they are told they are believed by 
the officers at Fort McDowell to be entirely 
correct : 

" A band of Apaches from the Sierra Ancha 
Mountains (probably Tontos) had been visiting 
the Colorado River Indians, and were on their 
return, with passes given them upon the river. 
Upon reaching Bell's Canon they proposed 
coming to Fort Whipple for rations, thinking 
the passes would protect them and also procure 
the supplies they were in need of. While in 
consultation upon the subject, an Indian in 
their company, who had spent much time on 
the Colorado, saw Leihy and his clerk. Everts, 
approaching by the road, and announced to tiie 
band who they were. It was then concluded to 
kill Leihy; to kill the great chief of the whites, 
as they thought him to be, would alarm the 
whole white population and soon restore tlie 
country to the peaceable possession of the In- 
dians. Acting at once upon this idea, they 
brutally murdered the superintendent and 
Everts; and to make the work more shocking 
to the whites, the bodies were mutilated in the 
most terrible manner. The Indian taken in the 
famous Skull Valley tight (August 13, 1866), 
for whom Mr. Leihy, in mistaken kindness, had 
obtained a release from Fort Whipple, and 
whom he was taking to La Paz, is reported by 
the squaw to have been an Apache Mohave, 
and to have been killed in the attack. She does 
not state, however, whether it was intended to 
kill him. The other Indian, a Mohave, who 
went from here with Leihy, was taken by the 
band to be a Maricopa. It will be remembered 
that he had just been on a visit to the Marico- 
pas. He insisted that he was a Mohave, but 
the baud denied it and charged him with being 



^ 



BISTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



afraid to acknowledge his tribe. He was taken 
some distance in the hills and tortured to death, 
according to the usual manner in which the 
Apaches deal with the Maricopas. His scalp 
was taken and the band started for their ran- 
cheria, near Meadow Valley, where they had a 
grand dance over it. A sub-chief, the husband 
of this siiuaw, was sent to Big Rump's village 
on the Saliscus River, near tli,e mouth of Tonto 
Creek, with a request that Big Rumj) would 
have mescal ready by the next full moon, when 
the band from the Sierra Anchas would be 
there to have a jubilee over their killing of the 
white chief, his clerk, and the Maricopa. On 
his journey upon this mission, this sub-chief 
and his companion, including iiis wife (the 
squaw in question), were attacked by Colonel 
Hgis's party. The sub-chief and the other were 
killed; the squaw and others captured, as already 
stated." 

Thus ends all that will, probably, ever be 
known in reference to the motive and manner 
of the massacre of Leihy and his companions. 
In this act of perfidy, the Indians of Arizona 
struck down their best friend, for Mr. Leih}', in 
honest faith, was their confiding friend, and we 
know it from his own lips that he believed that 
the Indians of the Pacific Coast were " more 
sinned against than sinning." We account it a 
duty discharged to place this token of remem- 
brance upon that lonely grave in Arizona, in the 
deserts of which Aztec semi-civilization seems 
to have met its sunset. 

MRS. SALLIE ANN CANKIELD. 

We cannot more fitly close this chapter of 
Indian horrors experienced by Sonoma County 
residents than by appending the following 
obituary notice taken from the Petaluma Anjus 
of Mrs. Sallie Ann Canfield, an aged lady whose 
name was almost a household word in Sonoma 
County, and who, although dying peacefully 
surrounded by her family, had passed through ex- 
periences of savage atrocity such as will give her 
name a certain passport to future generations: 

" It is with deep regret that we announce the 



death of Sallie Ann Canfield, beloved wife of 
William D. Canfield, of Blucher Valley, which 
occurred at 10 o'clock Tuesday evening, April 
3, 1888. Mrs. Cantield's maiden name was 
Sallie Ann Lee. She was born at Arlington, 
Vermont, August 20, 1810, and married to Mr. 
Canfield June 10, 1828. In 1837 they moved 
from Arlington to Springfield, Pennsylvania, 
where they remained two ycj^rs and then re- 
moved to Jensen County, Illinois. In 1812 
they again took up their westward line of march 
and settled in Iowa, upon the present site of the 
now flourishing city of Oskaloosa. Here Mr. 
Canfield erected the first house and laid out the 
public square, the lines of which has'e not been 
changed to this day — though the city has an 
estimated population of 40,000. In May, 1817, 
Mr. Canfield started through the wilderness with 
his wife, five children and a small party of 
friends, for (Oregon. They reached Whitman's 
Mission in Walla Walla Valley, in October of 
that year, where they proposed to spend the 
winter and look around for a favorable location. 
In this they were doomed to disappointment, 
for in a little more than one month from the 
time of their arrival the treacherous Indians 
surprised them and killed all the men of the 
settlement except Mr. Canfield and a man by 
the name of Osborn, who made his escape. Mr. 
Canfield was badly wounded, but managed to 
conceal himself in an old adobe house until the 
fellowing night, when he was informed by some 
children that the Indians intended to hunt him 
up and put him to death in the morning. He 
made a heroic effort, on foot, and reached Lap- 
way Station, in Washington Territory, a dis- 
tance of 140 miles, in a few hours less than one 
! week. The women and children were all made 
i prisoners and servants of the Indians, except 
Mrs. Whitman, who was killed. When it was 
ascertained that Mr. Canfield had escaped the 
red devils put on their war paint, surrounded 
the house that contained the poor women and 
children and were on the point of massacring 
them all, when ' Old Beardy,' a former chief, 
rode suddenly into camp and standing upright 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



upon his lioi-fje pleaded eloquently for the lives 
of the prisoners. The savajres' after listening 
spell-bound to the old man's oration, informed 
the prisouers that their lives would be spared. 
Here a long story could be told, if space per- 
mitted, of the efforts of Mr. Canfield, and the 
trials of the party, but it is sufficient to state 
that he interested the men of the Hudson Bay 
I'ur ('(iiiipany, in behalf of the prisoners, and in 
one month's time the good Peter Ogden, chief of 
that Company, arrived from Vancouver, and after 
an ett'ort of three days and nights succeeded in 
purchasing their freedom — paying the Indians 
in blankets, guns, ammunition, knives and 
trinkets. After getting possession of the 
prisoners he made a contract with the Nez 
Perces to bring Mr. Canfield's family to Fort 
Walla Walla where he joined his grief-stricken 
wife and children who had mourned him as dead. 
Peter Ogden took the remainder of the party 
down the Columbia River in three small boats, 
landing at Oregon City January 12, 1848. 
Mr. Cantield and family had lost everything ex- 
cept the scanty clothing upon their backs, but 
as soon as they were comfortably situated, he 
joined a party and went back to punish the In- 
dians. The chief and four of the Indians were 



brought in and afterward hanged at Oregon 
City. March 4, 1849, Mr. Cantield and family 
sailed for San Francisco, where they landed on 
the 10th of that month. They remained in 
San Francisco until August 1, 1850, when 
they became residents of Sonoma County, first 
settling in the oM town of Sonoma. They have 
occupied their present Ijeautiful home in Blucher 
Valley ever since January 1, 1852. Here they 
have been honored and loved for all these lorn/ 
years by all who came in contact with them. 
Here the good old lady passed awa}', surrounded 
by all the surviving meyibers of her family, and 
thus closed an eventful life. Her daughter, 
Mrs. James H. Knowles, of this city, and her 
son Oscar, who arrived from Idaho a few days 
before her death, are the only surviving children. 
We now have before us an invitation to their 
' Golden AVedding,' which was celebrated June 
10, 1878, and it recalls many pleasant reminis- 
cences of the past. Mrs. Canfield will have been 
laid away in the family burying ground, on 
their own place, before this notice reaches our 
readers. If there is any reward beyond the 
grave — and we trust there is — -for a long life of 
virtue, honor and unselfish usefulness, our friend 
is well provided for now." 



178 



BISTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



M* ' SONOMA AND MARIN DISTRICT 

'^1,, AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. JP'"^ 



j>m.. 



'^^ 



CPIAPTER XIX. 



"When uKliANIZED — its CHANGE.S IX organization lis FAIRS AND OFFICERS — CHANGE OF LOCATION OF 

FAIR (JROCNOS — ITS GOOD EFFECT ON OIK INIHSTRIES. 



'HE history of this society i>^ a part of tlic 
; liistory of Soiioiim County, and among its 
^^ iiroinotors in tiie early days will bo found 
many names of Sonoma County pioneers. 

Tiietirst organization of the society was made 
under tlie name of the Sonoma Agricultural and 
Mechanics" Society, on April 12, 1859. Pursu- 
ant to a call made by publication a large num- 
ber of snbscribers to the Sonoma County Fair 
met at the Masonic Hall, Uealdsburg, on Thurs- 
day evening, March 24, 1859, to devise the 
necessary ways and means of carrying out the 
enterprise. A temjwrary organization being 
deemed advisable, Hon. W. I'. Ewing was called 
to the chair, and stated the object of the meet- 
ing, .lames B. IJoggs appointed secretary. A 
committee of two from each township was ap- 
pointed to solicit further subscriptions. A 
committee of live was appointed to report per- 
manent organization and rules and regulations, 
to report at a future meeting. Meeting then 
adjourned to April 12, 1859, at which time the 
society was duly organized, with the following 
officers: President, Washington P. Ewing, and 
nine Vice-Presidents ; Secretary, J. B. Boggs ; 
Corresponding Secretary, G. W. Granniss; 
Treasurer, Lindsay Carson; and a Board of nine 
Directors, consisting of Colonel A. Haraszthy, 
Major J. Singley, C. J. Robinson, Josiah Mnrin, 
G. P. Brumtield, J . ]S\ Bailhache, Julio Carrillo, 



J. W. Wilbur, and D. I). Phillips. The first 
fair was held at Healdsburg. At the election 
of officers for the next year, J. Q. Shirly was 
elected President, and I. G. Wickersham, Secre- 
tar}'. At a meeting of the society held March 
3. 1860, on motion of Mr. Weston, a committee 
of live was appointed to confer with agricultural 
societies of the counties of Marin, Mendocino, 
Napa and Solano, and in case uo society e.xist 
in those counties, then with some ol the promi- 
nent agriculturists and stock-raisers therein, 
upon the subject of establishing a District Agri- 
cultural Society, to be known as the Sonoma and 
Napa District Society. II. L. Weston, I. G. 
Wickersham, Jasper O'Farrell. .1. S. Robbersoii 
and Rod Matheson were appointed said com- 
mittee. The second fair was held at Petaluma, 
on the grounds of Uriah Edwards, and for it 
premium lists were prepared under the direction 
of Mr. Wickersham. Col. Haraszthy made the 
opening address. Petaluma Band gave the 
music for the occasion, at the price of four hun- 
dred dollars. The records of the society for that 
year are very full and complete, made by the 
secretary, S. D. Towns, who had been elected to 
till the place of Mr. Boggs. E. Latapie was the 
marshal of the week. 

At the election held at the close of the fair. 
Dr. John Hendley was elected President; Wing- 
field Wright, Vice-President; W. H. Crowell, 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



179 



Secretary, and J. II. Iloliiics, Treasurer, and it 
was resolved to hold the next fair at Santa Rosa. 
Thereafter the fair was held at different points, 
until 1867, wlien the society was reorganized, 
witli J. li. Rose, I'resident. and Phillip Cowcn, 
Secretary. That year the pavilion was erected, 
and a large part of the cattle stalls and horse 
stalls constructed, and the society, under its 
management, held its first fair; J. P. Clark was 
marshal; X. C. Stafford, superintendent of the 
pavilion, and il. JJoyle. superintendent of the 
stock gnninds. To make the purchase of per- 
manentgrounds about 250 life memberships were 
sold at the price of $25 per share, with privilege 
of free admission to all subsequent fairs and right 
to exhibit. The old race-track, about two miles 
from the city, was still used for all races. The 
second annual election of the society was held 
on the second Saturday of May, 1868. The 
counties of Sonoma, Marin, Mendocino and Lake 
constituted the district at this time. J. R. 
Hose was re-elected President; Andrew Mills, 
Vice-President, and Phil. Cowen. Secretary, 
with nine Directors. The fair for 1868 was 
lield at the new grounds, September Slst to 
25th, inclusive. George Pearce made the open- 
ing address, and E. S. Lippitt the annual ad- 
dress. J. P. Clark acted as marshal, and F. W. 
Lougee and M. Doyle as superintendents of pavil- 
ion and stock grounds. This year, for the first 
time, the society confci-red diplomas for meri- 
torious exhibits. 

At the annual election, in May, l86'J, J. R. 
Rose was unanimously elected President; A. 
Mills, Vice-President; P. Cowen, Secretary; I. 
G. Wickersham, Treasurer; with the same num- 
ber of Directors. The fair this year was held 
September 27th to October 1st. N. L. Allen 
acted as marshal, D. W. C. Putnam was super- 
intendent of pavilion, and Thomas Rochford, 
superintendent of stock grt)unds. The fair was 
very creditable, and the society felt the need of 
more room. A committee was appointed to secure 
more ample grounds for the fair and race-track. 

On the 15th of January, I. (i. Wickersham 
presented a petition to send to the liegislature 



to solicit State aid, and a meeting of life mem- 
bers was called to meet April 2, 1870, to select 
new grounds for the fair. The result of the 
action of the meeting was to l)uy grounds adja- 
cent to the old fair grounds, and upon them 
construct a half-mile race-track, grand stand, and 
other conveniences for a permanent fairground. 
The new board of officers were elected in Dec- 
eml)er, 1870, and consisted of E. Dunnian, 
President; Lee Ellsworth and II. Mecham, Vice- 
Presidents; J. Grover, Secretary; and Williaui 
Hill, Treasurer. Society during this year duly 
incorporated, and J. R. Rose, to whom tho 
several parcels of land of the fair ground had 
lieen deeded, as trustee for the society, deeded 
them to the society. A committee, of E. Den- 
man and C. Tempel, was also appointed to make 
arrangements to pay the large indebtedness of 
the society. 

The fair for 1871 was held September 25th 
to BOth, and was well attended. The third stage 
of the society's existence had now commenced. 
The receipts were largely in excess of former 
years, amounting to .S3,370. The annual meeting 
for 1871 was adjourned until January 6, 1872, 
when an election of officers was had, with the 
following result: President, Lee Ellsworth: E. 
Denman and J. R. Rose, Vice-Presidents; Frank 
Lougee, Treasurer; and J. Grover, Secretary. 
The great expeiise of the new purchase and 
grand stand, and construction of race track, had 
been met by the generous action of the public- 
spirited citizens of the city of Petaluina and 
county, who assumed the liabilities by their 
joitit note, amounting to about 812,000. About 
forty signed the note. This amount was after- 
ward ])aid by them, as the note became due' ex- 
cept 85,000, which was paid by the city of 
Petaluma. The j)ayment of this debt by these 
men relieved the society from a great burden. 

The society's fair for 1872 was held Septem- 
ber (ith to llth, inclusive. B. Ilaskel was 
superintendent of pavilion. The receipts of the 
society this year were larger than any preceding 
year, amounting to -85,841, besides the sum of 
82,000 appropriated l>y the State. At the annual 



UIsrORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



election held December 7, 1872, the retiring 
Tresident, L. Ellsworth, made a report to the 
society of their progress, from its reorganization 
in 18(37 to date, by which it appeared that the 
total receipts of the society had amounted to 
s29,633, and that the society had expended, for 
grounds, pavilion, grand stand and premiums, 
the sum of §40,751 leaving an indebtedness of 
$11,118, secured as heretofore stated. The fol- 
lowing officers were elected for ensuing year: 
Tresident, E. Denman ; Vice-Presidents, L. 
Ellsworth, William Zartman; Secretary, E. S. 
Lippitt; Treasurer, Kobert Seavey. 

The fair for 1873 was held October 6th to 
lltli, inclusive, Captain Watson acting as mar- 
shal. Ilev. G. B. Taylor delivered the annual 
address. The receipts for the year were $6,- 
200 besides s2,000 received from the 8tate, most 
of which was expended in enlarging the accom- 
modations for stock and enlargement of the 
grand stand. The annual meeting for 1873 
was held on December 7th, and the following 
officers were elected to serve for the ensuing 
year: President, J. E. Rose; Vice-Presidents, 
Lee Ellsworth and IT. Mecham; Secretary, E. 
S. Lippitt; Treasurer, A. J. Pierce; Directors, 
A. Morse and Robert Seavey. 

The fair for the year 187-1 was held Septem- 
ber 14th to 19th, inclusive. D. W. C. Putnam, 
was elected superintendent of pavilion, and 
Judge Shafter delivered the annual address. At 
the annual meeting in 1874 the following othcers 
were elected to serve for the ensuing year: Pres- 
ident, J. R. Rose; Vice-Presidents, H. Mecham, 
G. D. Green; Secretary, E. S. Lippitt; Treasurer, 
A. Morse; Directors, P. J. Shafter and Robert 
Crane. The district was enlarged now by taking 
in Napa and Solano counties, and exhibitors 
restricted to the district. 

At the fair held in 1875 Prof. Fitzgerald, 
State Superintendent of Public Schools, deliv- 
ered the annual address. This year the pavilion 
was enlarged by the addition of agricultural 
and horticultural halls. The receipts amounted 
to S5,614. At the annual election in 1875 the 
following othcers were elected for the ensuing 



year: President, L. Ellsworth; Vice-Presidents, 
A. P. Whitney and P. J. Shafter; Secretary, E. 
S. Lippitt; Treasurer, A. Morse; Directors, 
Robert Crane and H. Mecham. Mr. Ellsworth 
having resigned, H. Mecham was afterward 
elected by the Board of Directors to till his place. 

The fair for 1876 was held from October 9th 
to 14th, and was in extent and quality greatly 
in excess of any heretofore held. The display 
of stock was the finest exhibited at any of the 
fairs of the State, and the departments of agri- 
culture and horticulture were greatly in advaiice 
of former fairs. Major Armstrong acted as 
marshal. Judge Shafter delivered the annual 
address. At the annual meeting held December 
2, 1876, the following ofHcers were elected: 
President, li. Mecham; Vice-Presidents, A. P. 
Whitney, P. J. Shafter; Secretary, E. S. Lip- 
pitt; Treasurer, A. Morse; Directors, G. D. 
Green, Robert Crane. By action of the society 
the district was enlarged to take in the counties 
west of the Sacramento and north of the bay, 
including Humboldt and Yolo. The fair for 
1877 was held September 24-29. M. D. Bo- 
rnck delivered the annual address, James Arm- 
strong acting as marshal. The receipts were 
the largest ever held by the society, amounting 
to $7,577. The pavilion was enlarged by ex 
tending the west wing forty feet. A large 
number of stalls for horses and stock were Iniilt 
and the whole grounds thoroughly overhauled 
and repaired, which not only absorbed the 
large receipts but entailed a debt of $1,385. 
At the annual election this year, 1877, the old 
board of officers were re-elected and the time of 
fair fixed for September 21st to 28th inclusive. 
During this year the grounds had been greatly 
adorned by the planting of trees. An art gal- 
lery was built twenty-tive feet wide by eighty 
feet long and other permanent imjirovements of 
the grounds and buildings. 

The fair held in 1878 was the largest and 
most interesting of the whole series. The re- 
ceipts amounted to $7,665. The expenditures, 
$8,436. Leaving a small debt subsisting against 
the society. 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



181 



Tlie Legislature at the session of 1877-'8 
enacted a new law in regard to agricultural 
societies, making the president and two directors 
to be chosen eacli year and the treasurer and 
secretary to be other than members of the Board. 
At the last election held December, 1878, the 
following Board of Directors was elected: Pres- 
dent, A. P.Whitney; E. Denman and K. Crane, 
Directors forone year; J. McM. Shafter and PI. 
Mecham, for two years; A. Morse and R. Seavey, 
for three years. F. W. Lougee was by the Board 
elected Treasurer and W. E. Cox, Secretary. 

During the last year the same enterprising 
spirit has been exhibited by the Board — new 
gates to the park have been built and a new 
ticket office and treasurer's office. The grand 
stand was enlarged one-half its former dimci- 
sions. jVew trees planted and new stalls erected. 
The last fair was equal to any that preceded it. 
J. P. Clark was marshal of the week; D. W. C. 
Putnam, superintendent of the pavilion. E. S. 
Lippitt delivered the annual address. 

The fair of 1880 was held during the week 
commencing Monday the 6th of September. 
Hon. A. P. Wliitney was the president of the 
society. The fair that year was largely at- 
tended, and made memorable by the presence of 
President Rutherford B. Hayes, General Wm. 
T. Sherman, Secretary of War Ramsey and Gov- 
ernor George Perkins. 

In 1881 the district fair was held at Petal u- 
ma, commencing Monday the 5tli of Septemlier. 
A. I'. Whitney, President; P. J. Shafter, H. 
Mecham and Wm. Zartman, Directors. A very 
able annual address was delivered iiy Rev. E. R. 
Dillee. 

Notwithstanding t)ie large amount of money 
that had been cxpendeil in fitting up tiie " old 
fair grounds'" in the northern portion of the 
city of Petaluma, it was found that the society 
was cramped for room. The race-tr.ack was a 
half mile one. and tlie exhiiiitsof stock was get- 
ting beyond the possii)le accommodations of 
stall room. Something had to be done. The 
society determined to sell the old grounds and 
purchase elsewhere. This change was made in 



1882, and the grounds selected was a tract of 
100 acres in the eastern edge of the city limits. 
A mile track was graded and put into excellent 
condition; and the pavilion, grand stand and 
other movable buildings from the old grounds 
were put up. On the western side of the 
grounds, between the pavilion and grand stand 
was planted several acres of miscellaneous shade 
trees. There is now nearly a running mile of 
stall room, with space for further additions, as 
may be required. Taken as a whole this is now 
one of the finest fair grounds in the State, in 
all its appointments. In truth, it is a conceded 
fact, that the Sonoma and Marin district fairs only 
rank second to the State fairs at Sacramento. 

The fair for 1882 commenced on the 28th of 
August and continued for a week. It was fully 
up to the standard of former fairs. A. P. 
Whitney elected President; Henry Lawrence 
and H. T. Fairbanks elected Directors. The 
annual address was delivered by Professor A. 
G. Burnett, then of Healdsburg. 

In 1883 the annual fair commenced on Mon- 
day, 28th of August. The list of entries and 
premium awards were unusually large. A. P. 
Whitney, President; Robert Crane and E. Den- 
man were re-elected Directors. 

The annual fair of 1884 commenced on the 
27th of August. Jiulge James McM. Shafter 
was president of the society and delivei-ed the 
opening address. Professor A. G. Burnett, the 
accomplished orator, delivered the annual ad 
dress. A. P. Whitney, President; M. Page and 
P. J. Shafter were elected Directors. 

On Monday, August 24, 1885, the district 
fair opened under most favorable auspices and 
was an entire success. J. H. White, President; 
J. H. White, II. F. Fairbanks and ,1. E. Gwin, 
elected Directors. Hon. E. C. Munday deliveretl 
the annual address. 

The annual fair for 1886 fell on Monday, 
the 23d of August. .1. II. White, President; 
George P. McNear, John Switzer, elected Di- 
rectors. L. C. Byel was stijierintendent of the 
pavilion. P. J. Shafter, of Marin County, de- 
livered the annual address. 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Ill 1887 the I'iiir wa.s held as usual in the 
last week of August. It showed au increased 
attendance. J. H. White was still President. 
J. E. Gwiu and Wilfred Page were re-elected 
members of the Duard of Directors. 

The fair of 1888 was by far the most suc- 
cessful one ever held. Notwithstanding the 
ftreat room-capacity of the stock-grounds, it was 
inadcijuate to meet all the requirements of ex- 
hibitors. The ]>avilion exhibits were better 
than Gw.v before. Tliis society has done a good 
work in pi-omoting Sonoma County industries. 
Its present otticers are: II. Mecham, Presi- 
dent; A. L. Whitney, A. W. Foster, T. C. Put- 
nam, W. H. Gartman, O. Hubble, Directors. 

At this fair of 1888, Hon. J. Iv. Dougherty, 
now one of Sonoma County's Superior Judges, 
delivered the following annual address: 

Mi:. Pkksidknt, Ladies and Gentlemen: — 
This association has done ine mucli honor in 
inviting me to deliver the annual address upon 
this occasion. In accepting the task I was 
aware of the responsibility incurred, and I had 
no grounds of encouragement. 

I remembered that the subject of agricultural 
fairs and festivals of this nature was one upon 
which I was not in the habit of bestowing much 
thought. 

I remembered that from a crowd of people 
upon the grand-stand, where there is so much 
else to occupy its attention, I could not expect 
close attention or be heard. 

I remembered, too, that my closest listeners 
would be those most interested in the fair and 
better qualiiied and more capable of addressing 
you than I myself. So that it is with a feeling 
of awe that I undertake the task, and I would 
that I were more qualified to do justice to the 
theme, that iny appreciation of the honor might 
lie better shown. 

AVlien I begun to revolve the subject over in 
my mind, to determine what 1 should say, the 
first question that I naturally asked myself was, 
what is the origin of the American fair? Is it 
a legacy from some foreign country or the pro- 
duct of American enterprise, ambition and in- 



genuity. Wherein docs it diti'cr from the 
prehistoric harvest festival or the fairs of ancient 
and modern time of other countries. 

Py some, the word fair is derived from a 
Latin word nicaning holiday, a day exeni[)t 
from labor; by others, from a Latin word mean- 
ing to trade, to barter. 

There were festival occasions in early times, 
the object of which would make either deriva- 
tion acceptal)le. 

Heathen mythology aixuinds with allusions to 
the festivals held in honor of their gods. Under 
the inspiration of a false yet beautiful theology, 
it was the custom at stated intervals to render 
homage at temples consecrated to their deities. 

Gifts were brought to propitiate the all-pow- 
erful Demeter — the fabled representative of 
Mother-Earth. 

We read of the corn and harvest festivals 
held in honor of Ceres. 

Horace sings from his Sabine farm of the 
festival of golden fruits in honor of Pomona. 

When the harvest season was over, when the 
wine press had been laid away, Italia's vine- 
dressers used to meet at some nook on the vine- 
clad hills and tap the last year's cask in hoiun- 
of Bacchus. 

The old Roman used to seek the excitement 
of the hippodrome and witness the horse races 
and chariot races. 

These were purely holiday festivals. There 
is another class of festivals in foreign lands of 
early origin and now common in many parts of 
Europe and Asia. It is called the Fair. Lord 
Coke defines it as ''a greater species of market 
recurring at more distant intervals " and calls 
them legalized public places for the sale, ex- 
change and barter of commodities. 

These fairs originated because of the want of 
proper communications between producers and 
consumers. 

One of the most noted of these is that of 
Hurdniar, on the upper course of the Ganges. 
A quarter of a million of people annually visit 
the exposition, and every twelfth year a million 
or upward make a special pilgrimage from all 



HISTORY OF SONO\tA COUNTY. 



18:? 



parts of" Asia taking tliithor Persian shawls, 
rugs and carpets, Indian silks, Cassimere shawls, 
preserved fruits, spices, drugs, et cetera, together 
with immense numbers of cattle, liorses, slieep 
and camels. 

The annual fairs of Beaucaire in France, of 
Nihni Norgorod of Russia, the German fairs of 
Frankfort and Leipsic, wliere gather the pro- 
ducers and traveling merchants from the four 
corners of the earth, bringino; with them their 
fabrics and costly wares, are all the outgrowth 
of a necessary common center of exchange. 

The American Agricultural i'^airis peculiarly 
an American institution. We come not here to 
do sacrifice to an imaginary protectress or .scat- 
ter offerings npon her saci'ed shrine. 

We come not here solely to barter our own 
jiecnliar productions. 

Ours the better part to meet together for 
mutual counsel and improvement, to compare 
e.xperiences, to witness the achievements of the 
present, and seek to expand, enlarge and perfect 
our capacities for future usefulness. 

The harvest having closed, the season's work 
being over, it is a holiday week when the farmer 
throws aside his tools, selects the choicest of 
his grain, vegetables and live stock; the fruit 
grower brings his peach, jiear, apple, fig, apri- 
cot, plum aad olive; the wine-grower, the pure 
juices of his press; the merchant, his stock of 
goods, wares and merchandise; the stock-raiser 
liis finest herds of imported cattle and thorongh- 
l)red standard work and ti'otting horses; the 
mother brings the little baby, the daughter her 
needlework, to exhibit them to the world, to 
compare them with their neighbors, and with 
frietully rivalry contend for a prize. 

How grand is the scene before ns! a mile of 
stalls filled with blooded horses with ears erect 
and nostrils extended ready for a race. Live 
stock of every description from every nook and 
corner of the district, and a pavilion filled to 
overflowing. * •'■ " * * 

In belialf of this association and its directors, 
a cordial welcome is extended to all. 

This association has great cause to rejoice at 



the rapid progress which our j)eople are making 
in all that tends to build up a great and powerful 
district. 

The lively interest which is now manifested 
in the improvement of all sorts of stock has 
given us in our genial climate the best variety 
of animals in tiie world. 

Our rich lands are largely under cultivation, 
and we are not dependent upon others for the 
necessaries of life. 

The yearly reports which this society, is com- 
pelled to make to the State Board, show a vast 
increase in every department of agriculture 
from year to year. 

Indeed we have within our own district com- 
prising the counties of Sonoma and Marin all 
the elements of true greatness. 

With a population nnsurpassed for intelli- 
gence and patriotism, with as rich and pro- 
ductive lands as the world affords, and sufficient 
rainfall to insure annual crops without irriga- 
tion, if we act wisely and use properly the 
means which have been so profusely spread 
before us, there is for ns a glorious future. 

I am asked by members of this association to 
extend to its courteous president, active secre- 
tary and able board, its thanks for their liberal 
attention and successful work in its behalf. 

The management and work of the year must 
necessarily fall upon them, but there is work 
for every man and woman in the district. 

If we are to have a good fair and pleasing 
exhibition, we must bring sometluTig here to 
exhibit. 

The larger and more varied the exliiliit the 
better the record among the archives of State, 
the better pleased the visitors, the better its 
financial condition. 

County and county, city and city, town ami 
town must all co-operate in order that each an- 
nual meeting shall sur[iass the last and iiiipai't 
an abiding good. 

It is not for to-day or for to-morrow, nor for 
tlie brief period of existence allowed to those 
who particii)ate here to day that wo perpetuate 
these fairs. 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 




Natukh's Laboratory— ThI' Geysers 



h^^;jl3Tj;j jp j^ ^'^ ^^^^ j^a j^ ^ jjatx: 



iS^' '^■i^^^^^zri^-^^^^c::::^:::^^^'^ ><^^: 




CHAPTER XX. 



ThK (tEYSERS THEY WERE VISITED IN 1S65 liY ViCE- PRESIDENT ScHUYLER CoLFAX AXD SaMDEI. 

Bowles, editor of the Si>KiN(;FiKr.ii, ]\[as-;aohi'setts. Republican — what Mr. Bowles wrote 
— Clark Foss — the kahtiujuake, 1808. 



fHE present terininns of tlie Donalme Roail, 
otherwise tlie San Francisco A: North 
Pacific Railroad, is Cloverdale, jnst eiglity 
miles from the city of San Francisco. A pleas- 
ant journey of three hours in the handsome new 
cars with which the company have lately 
equipped the road will land the traveler all safe 
and sound at that place. Leaving San Fran- 
cisco at 8 A. M., the journey is finished by 11 
o'clock, in time for noon refreshments. As the 
dinner progresses, the sound and hustle of the 
preparation of many lines of stages with passen- 
gers for the upper coast of Mendocino, the 
Geysers, Flighland Springs and other splendid 
summer resorts fill the air. The Geysers of 
Sonoma County are pre-eminently the one un- 
paralleled wonder, the something which no other 
country in the world can duplicate, illustrati\e 
of the wondrous waj's of Providence visible in 
this world below. FVom Cloverdale to the 
Geysers is sixteen miles, making the whole dis- 
tance from San Francisco ninety-six miles and 
al)out six hours' journey. 

A distinguished European geologist describes 
the California Geysers as " fearful, wonderful." 
The visitor is surrounded by all kinds of con- 
tending elements, boiling, roaring, thundering. 



hissing, bubbling, spurting and steaming here 
extremes meet in a most astonishing way — if a 
diversity of mineral springs can be called ex- 
tremes — as there are over three hundred in 
number that possess every variety of character- 
istic. Some are hot; others icy cold; some con- 
tain iron; some soda; others sulphur. Side by 
side boil and bubble the hottest of hot springs 
and the coldest of cold ones, being, frequently, 
but a few inches apart. Indeed so closely do 
they lie together that the greatest care must be 
exercised lest one should step knee-deep into a 
" cauldron '' or an " icy bath.'' Even the rocks 
become thoroughly heated, and quantities of 
magnesia, sulphur, alum and many other chemi- 
cals lie thickl}' strewn about the lava beds, 
making a sort of druggists' paradise. The noise, 
too, and the smell are as diversified as the char- 
acter of the springs. Of the lioiling springs 
and steam receptacles, one is known as the 
" Devil's Grist Mill," another, " The Calliope," 
then, the "Steamboat (xeysers," the "Witches' 
Cauldron," the " Mouutain of Fire,'' the latter 
of which contains several hundred apertures. 
In all of these are shown, each for itself, some 
interesting and remarkable peculiarity. 

It is a place that recalls to our mind the 



HTsrORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



1S5 



Witches" Retreat in Shakespeare's Macbeth. 
The water in a pool of the stream forms 
Nature's Cauldron, and one cannot liut repeat: 

" Round about the CiUlUli-on go; 
In tlie poisoned entrails throw — 
Toail, that under coUlest stone, 
Days and nights has thirty-one. 
Swelter'd venom sleeping got, 
Boil thou first i'the cliarmed pot ! 

Double, double, toil and trouble; 
Fire, burn; and cauldron biililile. 

" Fillet of a fennj' snake. 
In the cauldron boil and bake; 
Eye of newt, and toe of frog. 
Wool of bat, and tongue of dog, 
Ailder's fork, and blind-worm's sting, 
Lizzard's leg, and owlet's wing, 
For a charm of powerful trouble. 
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble. 

Double, double, toil and trouble ; 
Fire, burn ; and cauldron bubble." 

(Jf tlie Geysers, the most enjoyable features 
is the stage ride from Oloverdale through Sul- 
piiur Creek Canon. The road is of easy grade, 
and the scenery inost picturesque. 

Samuel Bowles (since deceased), editor of the 
Springfield, Massachusetts, liepuhliean, accom- 
]ianied Vice-President Colfa.x to this county in 
1865, and they visited the Geysers. The fol- 
lowing is Mi;. I)Owles' description of what they 
saw in their journeyings: 

"Similar and prolonged experience, with 
some added and fresh elements, came from a 
rai)id three day's journey northerly to see the 
Geysers or famous boiling springs, and the 
neighboring valleys, famous for farms and fruits 
and vineyards. A steamer took us up through 
San Pablo Uay, one of the widen ings of the 
outcoiTiing waters of the interior, and Petaluma 
Creek, to the thriving town of the latter naine. 
I took a sharp look at it because of its persistent 
desire to steal your neighbor, llev. Mr. Harding, 
away from Longmeadow, and found it one of 
the most prosperous and pleasant of California 
towns, at the foot of one of the richest agricul- 
tural regions of the coast. The rest of the day 
we rode through driest dust and reposing 
nature, up through the Petaluma Valley and 



over into that of the Russian River, famous and 
peculiar here for its especial kindliness to our 
Indian corn, also for its toothsome grouse, first 
cousin to our partridge; stopping at the village 
of Healdsburg for brass band, speeches and 
supper, and after a rapid hour's drive by moon- 
light, at a solitary ranch under the (Teyser 
Mountain for the night. 

"Sunrise the ne.xt morning found us whirling 
along a rough road over the mountains to the 
especial object of the excursion. But the drive 
of the morning was the more remarkable fea- 
ture. We supposed the Plains and the Sierras 
had exhausted possibilities for us in that re- 
spect, but they were both outwitted here. For 
bold daring and brilliant execution, our driver 
this morning must take the palm of tl'ie world, 
1 verily believe. The distance was twelve miles, 
up and down steep hills, through inclosed pas- 
tures; the vehicle an open wagon, the passen- 
gers six, the horses four and gay, and changed 
once; and the driver, Clark T. Foss, our land- 
lord over night and the owner of the route. 
For several miles the road lay along the llog's 
Back, the crest of a mountain that ran away 
from that point or edge, like the side of a roof, 
several thousand feet to the ravine below, and 
so narrow that, pressed down and widened as 
much as was possible, it was rarely over ten or 
twelve feet wide, and in one place but seven 
feet, winding in and out, and yet we went over 
this narrow causeway on the full gallop. 

" After going up and down several inountains, 
having rare views of valleys and ravines and 
peaks, under the shadows and inists of early 
morning, we came to a point overlooking the 
Gej'sers. Far belovv in the valley we could see 
the hot steam pouring out of the ground, and 
wide was the waste arouml. The descent was 
alinost j^erpendicular; the road ran down 1,600 
feet in the two miles to the hotel, and it had 
thirty-five sliarp turns in its course. 'Look;it 
your watch,' said Foss, iis ho started on the 
steep decline; crack, crack, went the whip o\(>r 
the heads f)f the leaders, as the sharp corners came 
in sight, and they plunged with seeming reck- 



HISTORY OF SONOMA GOUNTY 



lessness aliead, and in nine minntes and a lialf 
they were pulled up at the bottom and we took 
breath. Going l)ack, the team was an liour and 
a ijuarter in the same passage. Wlien we won- 
dered at Foss tor liis perilous and rajiid di'i\ing 
down sucli a steep road, he said: 'Oh, there's 
no danger or ditiiculty in it. All it needs is to 
Ivcep your liead cool, and the leaders out of the 
way." l)Ut nevertheless I was convinced it not 
only does require a quiclc and cool Ijrain, but a 
ready and strong and experienced hand. The 
whole morning ride was accomplished in two 
hours and a quarter, and thougii everybody pre- 
dicts a catastrophe from its apparent dangers, 
Foss has driven it after this style for many 
years, and never liad an accident. 

"The Geysers are exhausted in a couple of 
hours. Tiiey are certainly a curiosity, a mar- 
vel, but there is no element of beauty; there is 
nothing to be studied, to grow into or upon 
you. We had seen something similar, but less 
extensive, in Nevada, and like a three-legged 
calf, or the Siamese twins, or P. T. Ijarnum, or 
James Gordon Hennett, once seeing is satisfac- 
toi-y for a life-time. They are a sort of grand 
natural chemical shoj) in disorder. In a little 
ravine from ofi' the valley is their jirincijial the- 
ater. The ground is white, and yellow, and 
gi-ay, poi-ous and mtten with long and high heat. 
The air is also hot aiul sulphurous to an un- 
pleasant degree. All along the bottom of the 
ravine and up its sides the earth seems hollow 
and full of boiling water. In frequent little 
cracks and pin holes it finds vent, and out of 
these it bubbles and emits steam like so many 
tiny tea kettles at high tide. In one place the 
earth yawns wide, and the 'Witches' Cauldron,' 
several feet in diameter, seethes and sprouts a 
black, inky water, so hot as to boil an egg in- 
stantly, and capable of reducing a human body 
to pulp at short notice. The water is thrown 
up four to si.K feet in height, and the general ef- 
i'ect is very devilish indeed. The ' Witches' 
Cauldron ' is reproduced a dozen times in min- 
iature — handy little pools for cookinfr your 
breakfast and dinner, if they were only in your 



kitchen or back yard. Farther up you follow a 
puffing noise, exactly like that of a steamboat in 
progress, and you come to a couple of volumes 
of steam struggling out of tiny holes, but 
mounting high and spreading wide from their 
force and heat. 

" You grow faint with the heat and smell, your 
feet seem burning, and the air is loaded with a 
mixture of salts, sulphur, iron, magnesia, .soda, 
ammonia, all the chemicals and compounds of a 
doctor's shop. You feel as if the ground might 
any moment open, and let you down to a genu- 
ine hell. You recall the line from Milton, or 
somebody: 'Here is hell — myself am hell." 
And, most dreadful of all, you lose all appetite 
for the breakfast of venison, trout and grouse 
that awaits your return to the hotel. So you 
struggle out of the ravine, every step among 
tin}- volumes of steam, and over bubbling pools 
of water, and cool and refresh yourself among 
the trees on the mountain side beyond. Then, 
not to omit any sight, you go back through two 
other ravines where the same phenomena are re- 
peated, thougli less extensively. All around by 
the hot pools and escape valves are delicate and 
beautiful little crystals of sulphur and soila, and 
other distinct elements of the combustibles be- 
low, taking substance again on the surface. 

" All this wonder-working isgoing on day and 
night, year after year, answering to-day exactly 
to the descriptions of yesterday and five 
years ago. Most of the waters are black as ink, 
and some as thick; others are quite light and 
transparent; and they are of all degrees of 
temperature from 150 to 500. ^sear by, too, 
are springs of cold water, some as cold as 
these are hot, almost. The phenomena carries 
its own explanation; the chemist will reproduce 
for you the same thing, on a small scale, by 
mixing sulphuric acid and cold water, and the 
other unkindred elements that have here, in 
nature's lal)oratory chanced to get together. 
Yolcanic action is also most probably connected 
with some of the demonstrations here. There 
must be utility in these waters for the cure of 
rheumatism and other blood and skin diseases 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



187 



The Indians have long used some of the pools 
in this way, with results that seem like fables. 
One of tiie pools has fame for eyes; and with 
clinical examination and scientific application, 
doubtless large benefits might l)e reasonably 
assured among invalids from a resort to these 
waters. At present there is only a rough little 
bathing-house, collecting the waters from the 
ravine, and the visitors to the valley, save for 
curiosity, are but very few. It is a wild, unre- 
deemed spot, all around the Geysers; beautiful 
with deep forests, a mountain stream, and clear 
air. Game, too, abounds; deer and grouse and 
trout seemed plentier than in any region we 
liave visited. There is a comfortable hotel; but 
otherwise this valley is uninhabited. 

" Back on the route of our morning ride, we 
then turned off into the neighboring valley of 
Napa, celebrated for its agricultural beauty and 
productiveness, and also, for its Calistoga and 
Warm Springs, charmingly located, the one in 
the plains and the other close among mountains, 
and consisting of the fashionable summer resort 
for San Franciscans. The water is sulphurous; 
the bathing delicious, softening the skin to the 
texture of a babe's; the country charming; but 
we found both establishments, though with ca- 
pacious headquarters and family cottages, 
almost deserted of people. I'assed farms and 
orchards, through parks of evergreen oak that 
looked as perfect as the work of art, we stopped 
at the village of Napa, twin and rival to Peta- 
luma, and from here, crossing anothing spur of 
the West Range, we entered still another 
beautiful and fertile valley — that of Sonoma. 

"Here are some of the largest vineyards of 
northern California, and we visited that of the 
Enena Vista Viiiicultural Society, under the 
management of Colonel Ilarasztliy, a Hunga- 
rian. This estate embraces about 5,000 acres 
of land, a princely-looking house, large wine 
manufactory and cellars, and about a million 
vines, foreign and native. Tiie whole value of 
its property is half a niillii)n dollai's. including 
$100,000 worth of wine bratidii's ready and in 
preparation for market. We tasted the liquors, 



we shared the generous hospitality of the estate 
and superinteiident; bnt we failed to obtain, 
here or elsewhere, any satisfactory information 
as to the success of wine-making yet in Cali- 
fornia. The business is still very much in its 
infancy, indeed; and this one enterprise does 
not seem well managed. Nor do we find the 
wine very inviting; they partake of the general 
character of the Rhine wines and the Ohio 
Catawba, bnt are rougher, harsh and beady — 
needing apparantly both some improvement in 
culture and manufacture and time for softe?iing. 
I have drank, indeed, much better CJalifornia 
wine in Springfield than out here.'' 

As a Knight of the Whip, Clark Foss had a 
wide reputation only equalled by that of " Hank 
Monk." But he was caught by death on the 
down grade, and his foot could not reach the 
break-bar. The Santa Rosa Democrat of Sep- 
tember 5, 1885, said: 

"James P. Clark received a dispatch from J. 
A. Chesboro, of Calistoga, announcing the death 
of Clark Foss, which occurred at his residence 
near Kellogg, (ui Tuesdaj' afternoon. Mr. Foss 
was one of the most widely known men on the 
Pacific coast. Ilis reputation as a skillful 
driver was second only to Hank Monk of the 
old Overland stage line. For the past thirty 
years he has run stages to and from the Geyser 
Springs. He was for a long time a resident of 
Ilealdsbui'g, and ran stages from there to Ray's 
Station, from whence passengers were taken over 
the Geyser Peak to the springs. When the 
railroad was completed up Napa Yalley, he 
moved to Calistoga, built a toll-road over the 
mountain by way of Pine Flat and thence 
down Sulphur Creek to the springs, and put on 
a line of six-horse wagons. Until the comple- 
tion of the Donahue mad to Clovurdale all travel 
went by that route. .Mr. I-'oss was a man of 
great nerve, and you could not rake up six of 
the most vicious mustang tribe that he would 
not tone down after a very short experience. He 
would whirl around the curves on his grand 
road at a gait that would stiffen the hair on the 
head of a timid tourist." 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



A^ the forces of nature as exhibited by tiiese 
tkr-taiiied Geysers are very siio^gestivp fif vol- 
canic ornptions and eartiiquakes, we cannot 
more titly close tliis chapter than with a descrip- 
tion of the heaviest earthquake experienced in 
California since its occupancy by Americans, 
that of October 27. 1868. Its force and effect 
at Petaluma is tlius described by the Anjus : 

'• Yestenlay moining, at abont nine minutes 
to eight o'clock, an earthquake was felt in this 
city wliich for severity and damaging results 
surpassed anything of the kind ever before ex- 
perienced in this vicinity. The oscillation of 
the earth seemed to be from east to west, and 
there were three distinct shocks, following each 
other in rapid succession, lasting, we should 
think, from ten to fifteen seconds. liuildings 
seemed to sway back and forth like reeds in a 
storm, and onr excited and panic-stricken citi- 
zens of conrse made hurried movements to get 
in the streets. Horses plunged and fretted as 
the earth trembled beneath their feet. All 
nature seemed for the moment to tremble in 
fear at. the threatened convulsion. Several 
buildings were badly damaged on Main street, 
though none fell — the most of the damages 
done being in the stores wherein were piled 
goods of a perishable nature, ^fany chimneys 
were toppled and thrown down, and a stone 
dwelling in the southern portion of the city had 
its front shaken out, but the family occupying 
it being abed when the shock occurred, miracu- 
lously escaped injury. A great deal of crockery 
ware was also broken, and most of the clocks in 
the town stopped; in fact, for the moment, it 
looked like the end of all time. From all we 
can leai'n before going to press, the following 
are the names of those suffering damaofes: F. 



T. Maynard, breaking of bottles and loss of 
drugs, §1,000; 8. I). Towne, ditto, !?l()0; Man- 
ning & Son, $20; DeMartin & Co., $200; 
Symonds, !f;75; Lamoreaux ^ Cox, $20; A. !'. 
Whitney, $150; Carothers A: Todd, $100; and 
several others whose damages are comparatively 
trivial. During the whole forenoon of yester- 
day light shocks were felt, and every one seemed 
to be more or less nervous lest another heavy 
shock might visit us with more disastrous re- 
sults. There were no casualties. Up to present 
writing everything is quiet, and the fright of 
our people is diminishing. There was a report 
that the brick school-honse was badly damaged, 
but this, like a thousand other reports, is totally 
without foundation or truth." 

In continuation of matters in relation to that 
memorable earthquake, the Petaluma Anpix of 
October 211th, said: 

'• In this city the earthquake did little damage 
outside of what was mentioned in last week's 
paper. A brick kiln, in the lower part of town, 
the property of C. A. Hough, sustained consid- 
erable damage, there being about twenty thou- 
sand brick broken. We have experienced 
several shocks since, but none that compared in 
severity with the one on Wednesday of last 
week. The effect on San Francisco turns out 
not to be so damaging as at first reported. ( )nly 
five persons were killed outright. The damages 
to property is quite large, and will probably 
reach over two millions of dollars. In other 
portions of the State, at San Jose. San Leandro, 
Oakland, Napa, Ilaywoods and Gilroy the shock, 
was more or less severe, doing considerable 
damage and resulting in the loss of two or tliree 
lives. At Sacramento and above tlie shock was 
felt, but was comparatively light." 



HISTORY OF SOl^OMA COUNTY. 



189 







CHAPTER XXI. 
Extent of ekdwood forests — the lumber output of mills — Coloxel Armstrong's grove — 

A MONSTER tree THE J>IG IjOTToM FORESTS, ETC. 




IXTENDTNG from Mendocino southward 
long the coast line of the county, to a 
distance averaging about ten miles inland, 
is a magniticent redwood belt of timber. There 
are considerable quantities along Russian River 
and tlieGualalaand at intermediate points, possi- 
bly' one thousand millions of feet of lumber if all 
the lumber is accessible. 

The soil, generally throughoit this region is 
very fertile. The valley's are mainly sandy loam, 
the deposits of ages. The hillsides, usually 
a dark loose mold of vegetable matter, some- 
times with gravel, and clay and rocks. It would 
seem as if the earth that produces this enor- 
mous growth ought to raise almost any kind of 
vegetation, and so far as tried, it does. There 
is no better land in the State for general farming 
purposes. Fruit, grapes, alfalfa, corn, vines, 
etc., grow to perfection. The land too is cheap 
as compared with other more vaunted localities. 
But it is rough and laborious work to put these 
raw clearings, left by the loggers, in shape for 
the plow. Rears, apj)les, peaches, figs, grapes 
and especially French prunes flourish in perfec- 
tion, and produce with unbroken regularity. 
It is a section of the State little heard from 
heretofore and destined to become better 
known. 



To give the reader some idea of the resources 
of tiie redwoods — what is left of them — it may 
be stated that Occidental, Duncan's Mills and 
Guerneville are villages which are sustained 
mostly by saw-mills and lumber industries. 
The daily average .shipments from Guerneville 
are about eighteen carloads, of which ten are 
lumber furnished by the Rig Bottom saw-mill. 
The annual output of lumber, ties, posts, pickets, 
shingles, cordwood, bark and piles is about half 
a million dollars from these little stations on 
Russian River. Near the mouth of the Gualala 
River there is a fine mill, owning an immense 
tract of 15,000 acres of timber, and making 
extensive shipments. 

NotwithstaTiding the great value of this tim- 
l>er for exj)ort, its chief value is its proximity 
to the Santa Rosa and Petaluma valleys, which 
extend from fifty to sixty miles northward 
from the Bay of San Francisco. Throughout 
that entire country all the fencing and building 
lias been furnished by thcs.' redwoods. The 
first settlers went there and camped while they 
made rails, shingles and ])ickets on Uncle Sam's 
domain. It was common property. When the 
first saw-mill was built by Powers on the river, 
and after he had taken up the land, he was 
powerless to keep the farmers of the valley from 



HISTORY (iF SONOMA COUNTY. 



felling the timber under his nose and carrying 
it ott". Things are l)etter managed imw. 

liedwodds are far taller than the xequoia 
(jujantea of Calaveras, whicli do not attain a 
greater heiglit than about 250 feet. J. umber 
men have cut timber here,- and can still show it 
in Big Bottom, over 350 feet high. The 
diameter is less, ranging from saplings to 18 
feet across the stump. Fifty acres of this heavy 
timber lias been set apart for a public park by 
Colonel Armstrong, with an extension of the 
Donahue Itailroad leading to it, and completed 
but for a link in the line crossing lands owned 
by parties who will neither lease nor sell, near 
the village of Guerneville. The road will doubt- 
less be finished after resorting to the courts, 
when future generations can have free access to 
the picnic ground. It will be the last remnant 
of a mighty forest before ten years, and the 
nearest one accessible (seventy miles distant by 
rail) to the city of San Francisco. 

The Petaluma ^[/yus of October, 1S82, says: 
" Some months ago mention was maile in the 
Aiyii.'^ of the felling of a mammoth redwood 
tree on the land of John Torrence, near Guerne- 
ville, in this county. The following additional 
particulars concerning this giant of the forest is 
furnished us by Wm. L. Van Doren, of this 
city: The standing heiglit of the tree was 34:7 
feet, and its diameter, near the ground, was 14 
feet. In falling the top was broken off 200 feet 
distant from the stump, and up to the point of 
breaking the tree was perfectly sound. From 
the tree saw-logs were cut of the following 
lengths and diameters: 1st, 14 feet long, 9 feet 
diameter; 2d, 12 feet long, 8 feet diameter; 
3d, 12 feet long, 7 feet 7 inches diameter; 4tli, 
14 feet long, 7 feet G inches diameter; 5tli, 10 
feet long, 6 feet 10 inches diameter; 7tli, 10 
feet long, 6 feet 6 inches diameter; 8tli, 10 feet 
long, feet 4 inches diameter; 9tli, 10 feet 
long, feet 3 inches diameter; 10th, 18 feet 
long, feet diameter; 11th, 12 feet long, 5 feet 
10 inches diameter; 12tli, 18 feet long, 5 feet 6 
inches diameter. It will thus be seen that 180 
feet of this remarkable tree was converted into 



saw-logs. As the length and diameter of each 
log is given, the reader can. at leisure, figure 
out the quantity of inch lumber the tree con- 
tained. If, instead of being cut into lumber, it 
had been worked up into seven foot pickets it 
would have afforded fencing material to enclose 
a good sized ranch." 

A correspondent of the Healdsburg Fla<j, 
who some years ago visited the saw-mill of 
Guerne it Heald in the l^ig Bottom redwood 
forest on Russian liiver, thus describes what he 
saw : 

"The mill has been running in its present 
location about one year. It is a very substan- 
tial and well arranged structure, the workman- 
ship of ilessrs. Bagley and Goddart of this 
town. It has a new 48-horse power engine, 
14 cylinders and 18 inch stroke, and runs a 
double circle saw — the lower one 02 and the 
upper one 70 inches — edger and planer. The 
capacity of the mill is 20,000 feet per day. 
The mill is twenty miles from Healdsburg by 
the road — about twenty-five miles by the course 
of the river. J. W. Bagley is head sawyer. 
We remained but one niglit at the mill, and the 
next morning penetrated into the foi-est for the 
pur])ose of seeing one of the resources of 
Sonoma County — her redwoods. Three and a 
half miles from the mills we found • Outch 
John " making shingles. This stalwart speci- 
men of Teutonic muscle eats, sleeps, cooks, 
lives and battles with the giants of the forests 
alone. Sometimes he does not see a human 
form or hear a human voice, but his own, for 
weeks at a time. He has felled trees. Two 

of them are nearly worked up, and he has now 
on hand, made from them, over 200,000 shingles. 
He informed us that on his place trees that 
would make 180,000 shingles are common. 
Some will go to 200,000. I applied the tape- 
line to one tree that measured 07 feet in cir- 
cumference two feet above the ground. This 
monster of the forest measures nearly 200 feet 
in height to the first limb, at which point it is 
about ten or twelve feet through. Mr. Bagley 
made a calculation upon this huge trunk, from 



HTSTOAT of SONOMA COUNTY. 



191 



wliicli lio says it would cut 180,000 feet of 
luiulicr, make pickets to fence a ten acre lot 
and fifty cord of wood. The Plaza church in 
IlealdBljurg is 80x40 feet, and has a steeple 20 
feet higli; it contains aI)out 30,000 feet of lum- 
ber. This tree, then, would cut luinf)er enough 
to make six such buildings. 

" Near Ileald's mill is a very large tree, kuowji 
as 'The Htable,' which is hollow at the ground, 
inside of which a man can stand upright and walk 
fifteen feet. It measures inside twenty seven feet 
across, and is capaljle of staliliiig twelve horses, 
with a haymow to supply them for one winter. 

" Not far from this is the ' Bean Pole.' This 
is a large tree, but it is somewhat tall. A meas- 
urement taken by professional mechanics gives 
this sprout a height of 844 feet. This is one of 
the finest bodies of timber on the coast, and is 
of a superior quality. 

" Mr. J. G. Dow has taken a section of the bark 
from around one of these trees — thirteen feet in 
diameter — in pieces three feet long and one foot 
wide, which may be set up .like the staves of a 
tub, showing the size of the tree. This bark is 
from live to ten inches thick, lie also had a 
piece of bark six feet long and about two feet 
wide, which is twenty inches thick, lie designs 
taking these barks East for exhibition. They 
will be on exhibition at the Mechanics' Pavilion 
in San Francisco during the fair this fall. He 
will perhaps give the people of llealdsburg, who 
may wish it, an opportunity of seeing this won- 
derful. growth before removing it to the city. He 
has had the tree photographed and will have for 
sale the pictures, in sizes to suit the wishes of all. 

" We visited the Steamer Jititei'prise, lying one 
mile below the mill. Captain King is quite 
confident that he will visit llealdsburg by steam- 
er before Christmas. Says he intends next sum- 
mer to make regular trips three times a week to 
llealdsburg. Next Saturday he intends making 
his first trip to the mouth of the river." 

In speaking of these redwood forests, J. P. 
Munro-Frascr a few years ago penned the follow- 
ing in reference tn the lumbiTing business in 
Ocean Township: 



"There are several very large saw-mills in 
this townshij), in fact, there is more mill capac- 
ity in it than in any other in the county at the 
present time, aggregating about 150,000 feet 
daily. The Duncan's Mill Land ami J^umbcr 
Association's mill will cut 30,000 feet a day. 
The mills owned by the llussian River J^and 
and Lumber Association at Moscow, Tyrone, 
Russian River Station, and at other points in 
the Howard Canon, will eacli cut 30,000 feet 
daily; none of the mills belonging to the last- 
named association are running at the present 
time, but the mill of the first named is in ope- 
ration. To give a history of Duncan's mill, we 
must needs go back to the pioneer days both of 
California and of saw-milling. In 1840 a num- 
ber of carpenters, employed in the erection of 
the barracks at Beuicia, conceived the idea of 
forming into a company and starting a saw-mill. 
Lumber at that time was worth $;300 per 1,000 
feet, and of course at that rate the business 
would pay far better profits than even mining. 
The company was organized under the name of 
the Blumedale Saw-mill and Lumber Company, 
in honor of F. G. Blume, of whom they leased 
the timber land. It was located on Ebabias 
Creek, in Analy Township, a few miles east of 
the present site of Freestone. Clias. McDer- 
mot was president, and John Bailiff, secretary 
of the company. They formed the company 
and rented the land in 1848, but it was not un- 
til November of 1840 that the mill was got into 
operation, but by this time the price of lumber 
had so materially decreased, and the expense of 
getting it to market was so great, that but little 
lumber was ever cut by this company. In 1850 
General George Stoiieman (then lieutenant), 
Joshuallendy, and Samuel Al. Duncan purchased 
the property of the Blumedale Mill and Lumber 
Company, and continued to run it at that place 
until the spring of 1852. In the meantime, 
however, either late in 1851 or early in 1852, 
Stoneman disposed of his interest to his part- 
ners, and they continued in business under the 
firm name of Ilendy A: Duncan. 

In 1852 Messrs, Ucndy iV Duncan moved 



193 



HTSTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



their mill to a mining camp known as Yankee 
Jim's. Here they remained a year, and in 1858 
tlie macliineiy was moved to Michigan Blutt's, 
another mining town. In 1854 they brought 
the machinery back to Sonoma County, locating 
at Salt Point, and establishing the first steam 
saw-mill in Sonoma County, north of Russian 
[liver. Up to this time the capacity of the mill 
had only l)een 5,000 feet per day, but the new 
boilers were procured, making it a sixteen-horse 
power engine, and increasing the capacity to 
12,000 feet a day. In 1855 Joshua Ilendy dis- 
posed of his interest to Alex. Duncan, and un- 
der the firm name of Duncan IJrothers, the bus- 
iness was conducted very successfully at this 
point until 1860, when the mill was moved to 
the old mill site near the mouth of Kus?ian 
River. 

While at Salt I'oint they sawed 30,000,000 
feet of lumber, being an average of 5,000,000 
per year. At the time the mill was moved to 
Russian Ri\er, its machinery was greatly en- 
larged and improved, and its capacity increased 
to 25,000 per diem. While tiie mill was locat- 
ed at this place, tliey cut about 100.000,000 feet 
of lumber. No one has any conception of what 
those figures mean, or how much luml)er it is; 
yet even that great number would iiave been 
greatly increased, had it not been that almost 
every year large quaTi titles of logs were carried 
out to sea during the freshets. The winter of 
1862 was the worst, carrying away probaljly 
7,000,000 feet of lumber in the logs. It seemed 
almost impossible to construct booms strong 
enough to withstand the mighty force of the 
raging floods of water. In 1877 the Duncan's 
Mill Land and Lumber Association was formed, 
and the mill moved to its present location. At 
that time it was enlarged to a capacity of 35,- 
000 feet per day. whicli is about the greatest 
capacity of any mill in this section. The ma- 
cliinery in the mill consists of one pair of 
doulde circular saws, each sixty inches in diam- 
eter; one pony saw, forty inches in diameter; 
one muley saw, capable of cutting a log eight 
feet in diameter; two planing machines, one 



picket lieader, one shingle machine, together 
with edgers, jointers, trimmers, and all the nec- 
essary machinery and appliances for conducting 
the business of sawing and working up lumber 
ex]>editioiisly. 

We will now give a detailed description of 
the modux operandi of converting monster 
redwood trees into lumber, as we saw it done 
at this mill. We will begin with the tree 
as it stands on the mountain side. The 
woodsman chooses his tree, then proceeds 
to build a scaffold u]) Ijeside it tliat will 
elevate him to such a height as he may de- 
cide upon cutting the stump. Many of the 
trees have been burned about tlie roots, or have 
grown ill-shaped near the ground, so that it is 
often necessary to build the scaffold from ten to 
twenty feet liigh. This .scaffold, by the way, is 
an ingenious contrivance. Notches are cut at 
intervals around the tree at the proper height, 
deep enough for the end of a cross-piece to rest 
in securely. One end of the cross-piece is then 
inserted in the notch, and the other is made fast 
to an upright post, out some distance from the 
tree. Loose boards are then laid upon these 
cross-pieces, and the scaffold is completed. The 
work of felling the tree then begins. If the 
tree is above four feet in diameter an ax is used 
with an extra long helve, when one man works 
alone, but the usual method is for two men to 
work together, one chopping "right-handed" 
and the other "left-handed." When the tree 
is once down it is carefully trimmed up as far 
as it will do for saw-logs. A cross-cut saw is 
now brought into re(juisition, which one man 
plies with case in the largest of logs, and the 
tree is cut into the reijuired lengths. The 
logs are then stripped of their bark, which pro- 
cess is accomplished sometimes by burning it 
off. Then the ox-team puts in an apj)earance. 
These teams usually consist of three or more 
yoke of oxen. The chain is divided into two 
parts near the end, and on the end of each 
part there is a nearly right-angled hook. One 
of these liooks is driven into either side of 
the log, near the end next the team, and then, 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNT F. 



193 



witli many a surge, a gee, and a liaw. and 
an occasional (^) uatli, the log is drawn out tu 
the main trail to the landing-place. If on 
the road there should he any up hill, or other- 
wise rough ground, the trail is frequently wet, 
so that the logs may slip along more easily. 
Once at the landing-place, the hooks at the end 
of the ciiain are withdrawn, and the oxen move 
slowly hack into the woods for another log. 
The train has just come up, and our log, a great 
eight-foot fellow, is carefully loaded on one of 
the cars. As we go along the track on this 
novel train on our road to the mill let us exam- 
ine it a little. Beginning at the foundation, we 
wilj look at the track first. We find that the 
road bed has been well graded, cuts made where 
necessary', fills made when practicable, and 
trestle work constructed where needed. On the 
ground are laid heavy cross-ties, and on them a 
six by six square timber. On this an iron bar, 
about half an inch thick and two and a half 
inches wide, is spiked the entire length of the 
track. The two rails are five feet and live inches 
apart, and the entire length of the tramway is 
five miles. Mow we come to the cars which run 
on this (pieerly-constructed track. They are 
made nearly scjuare, but so arranged that by 
fastening them together with ropes a combina- 
tion car of almost any length can be formed. 
And lastly, but by no means the least, we come 
to the peculiarly-contrived j)iece of machinery 
which they call a "dummy," which is the motor 
power on this railroad. This engine, boiler, 
tender and all, stands on four wheels, each about 
two and a half feet in diameter. They are con- 
nected together on each side by a shaft. On the 
axle of the front pair of wheels is placed a 
large cog-wheel. Into this a very small cog- 
wheel works, which is on a shaft, to which the 
power of the engine is applied. There is an 
engineer on either side of the boiler, and they 
have a reverse lever, so that the dummy can go 
one way as well as another. By the cog-wheel 
combination great power is gained, but not so 
much can be said for its speed, though a maxi- 
mum of five miles an hour can be obtained. On 



our way to the mill we passed through a little 
village of shanties and cottages, which jiroved 
to be the residences of the choppers and men 
engaged in the woods. Farther on we pass 
through a barren, deserted section, whence the 
trees have all been cut years ago, and naught 
but their blackened stumps stand now, grim ves- 
tiges of the pristine glory of the forest prime- 
val. Now we pass around a grade, high, 
overhanging the river, and, with a grand 
sweep, enter the limits of the mill-yard. (Jur 
great log is rolled off the car on to the plat- 
form, and in his turn passes to the small car 
used for drawing logs up into the mill. A 
long rope attached to a drum in the mill is 
fastened to the car, and slowly, but surely, it 
travels up to the platform near the saw. Our 
log is too large to go at once to the double cir- 
cular, hence the "muley,'' a long saw, similar 
to a cross-cut saw. oidy it is a rip saw, and 
stands perpendicular, must rip it in two in the 
middle to get it into such a size that the double 
circular can reach through it. This is rather 
a slow process, and as we have nearly thirty 
minutes on our hands while waiting for our 
log to pass through this saw, let us i)ay a visit 
to the shingle machine. This we find on a 
lower floor. The timlter out of which shingles 
are made is cut into triangular or wedge- 
shaped pieces, about four feet long, and about 
sixteen inches in diameter. These are called 
"bolts.'" The first process is to saw them off 
into proper lengths. These blocks are then 
fastened into a rack, which passes by a saw, and 
as the rack passes back a ratchet is brought into 
requisition, which moves the bottom of the 
block in toward the saw, just the thickness of 
the thick end of the shingle and the top end 
to correspond with the thickness of the thin 
end. The l)lock is then shoved past the saw, 
and a shingle is made, except that the edges are 
of course, rough, and the two ends probably not 
at all of the same width. To remedy all this, 
the edge of the shingle is subjected to a trim- 
mer, when it becomes a first-class shingle. 
They are packed into bunches, and arc tlien 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



ready fur tlio market. We will now return to 
(lur ki^-. It lias just lieen run back uii the car- 
ria>j;e, an<l awaits further processes. A rope at- 
tached to aside drum is made fast to one-half of 
it, and it is soon lying on its back on the car- 
riage in front of the double circular saws. 
Through this it passes in rapid rotation till it 
is sawed into l)road slabs of the proper thick- 
ness to make the desired lumber. It is then 
jia^sed alonjj^ on rollers to the "pony'" saw, 
when it is a^•ain cut in jiieces of lumber of dif- 
ferent sizes as required, such as two by four, 
four by four, four by si.\, etc. It is then piled 
u]«)ii a truck and wheeled into the yard, and 
piled up ready for the market. The other half 
of the log is sawed into boards, three-quarters 
of an inch thick. At-the "pony'" saw, part of it 
is ripi)ed into boards, ten inches wide, and part 
into plank, four inches wide. The boards, ten 
inciies wide, pass along to a planing machine, 
and it comes out rustic siding. The four-inch 
plank passes through another planing machine, 
and comes out tongued and grooved ceiling. 
The heavy slabs which we saw come off the 
tirst and second time the saw passed through 
are cut into different lengths, and sawed into 
the right size for pickets. They are then passed 
through a planer, then througii a picket-header, 
a machine with a series of revolving knives, 
wliich cut out the design of the picket-head the 
same as the ditierent niembersof a molding are 
cut out. Thus have we taken our readers 
through the entire piocess of converting the 
mighty forest monarchs into lumber. We 
hojie we have succeeded in making the dcsci'ip- 
tion of the process, in a small measure at least, 
as interesting to our readers as it was to us 
wlien, for the first time, we witnessed it. AVheti 
you have witnessed the process of making lum- 
ber in one mill you have seen it in all, with the 
e.xception of here and there a minor detail. 
There are but few mills which use a "dum- 
my" engine to draw their logs to the mill, 
most of them using iiorses or cattle on the 
tramwavs. The lumber and wood industi'ies 



of this township will always n.iake it of con- 
siderable importance, and a prosperous future 
may reasonably be expected. 

In reference to these redwood forests, the 
engineer of the California State Board of For- 
estry recently said: 

'• r am indebted to J. AV. Jiagley, C. E. of 
Guerneville, for interesting figures, lioth as to 
the size of trees, and yields of redwood lumber 
near that formerly famous vicinity. Mr. Hag- 
ley measured one tree 84!) feet nine inches in 
height, and another nineteen feet in diameter 
underneath the bark, and states that the yield 
of one measured acre scaled in milled lumber 
1,431,530 feet board measure." 

There are thousands of acres that will yield 
this amount. During the past few years many 
thousand acres of redwood timber land, as fast 
as surveyed, have been taken by individuals in 
160 acre locations under the act peculiar to 
the Pacific States and Territories, for tlie sale 
of public timber lands, and under the home- 
stead and pre-emption laws. Tracts from 160 
to 640 acres in extent of land as good as any 
that has yet been cut over, can be found in the 
hands of the original locators, for sale at prices 
varying with the individual financial needs or 
business shrewdness of the owners. To secure 
larger tracts, however, requires a constantly in- 
creasing amount of perseverance, energy and 
capital, in consolidating these small holdings. 

The exports of redwood from California have 
until within two or three years, been merely 
nominal, and yet with only the local demand, 
over one-third of the redwood timber area has 
been cut. As an evidence of the growing scar- 
city of the wood, we will mention that around 
Guerneville, in Sonoma County, the price of 
stumpage has appreciated to ^-4.50 per 1,000 
feet. Eight hundred acres at Willow Gulch, 
in Sonoma County, were sold some time ago by 
the -North Pacific Coast Ilailroad Company, to 
Mr. A. Markham, of Duncan's Mills, at the 
rate of $3.00 ]ier 1,000 feet stumpage. This 
tract, it is estimated, will cut 100,000,000 feet. 



IIISTORT OF -.SONOMA COUNrT. 




^^&>s®=^.. 



Pk 



Names Belonging to Histoey. i^ 



-•^-^F- 



(^ji) 



CHAPTER XXII. 

PKK-IDKNr RuTIIKRKORn I). IIaYK-<, (tENKKAI, Wlf.LIA^r T. SlIKKMAX AND SkcBKTARV <iF WaK, 
Ar.liXANDKB IlAM-iKV CuI.ONKL RoD MaTIIKSOX — JullX MlLLEU CaMKKOX SaI.MI M'HtSE. 



X tliu I'ctiiluiiia AnjKS of Septeiiilier lOtli, 
<]1 1880, the' folluwiiig iiieiitioii is made of 
-V several di.-jtiiiguislieil visitors to Sonoma 
(Joiiiity; 

" According to aunouncumeiit I'resideat 
Hayes and party, together with Governor Per- 
kins and staff, arrived in this city at 11 o'clock 
a. m., Friday. The news ot" their coming had 
been widely made known both ijy telegraph 
and the daily Anjas, and as was to be expected 
there was attracted to Petaluma the largest con- 
course of people ever seen here before. At an 
early hour the people came pouring in from all 
parts of the surrounding country, and from 
every part of this and contiguous counties easy 
of access to railroads. On the arrival of the 
cars from San Rafael conveying our dis- 
tinguished visitors, together with the commit- 
tee of our citizens who met them at San Rafael 
to escort them up, a jjresident's salute of twen- 
ty-one guns was tired from the eminence at the 
western end of Washington street. While the 
cannon was looming forth a welcome, the pro- 
cession, consisting of a long train of coaches 
and carriages of all kinds, moved through our 
streets in the direction of the fair grounds. 
The |)rocessioii was led by the Petaluma Cornet 
Hand, llewston (Guards, St. Vincent Cadets and 
the Swiss Society. The carriage in which Pres- 
ident Hayes rode was drawn by four elegant 
caparisoned iiorses; tiien followed carriages with 
(feneral Slieririan, Secretary li.imsey, Ciovernor 



Perkins, Burchard Hayes, Colonel John AIc- 
Comb and other distinguished visitors. The 
streets along which the procession moved were 
a perfect cloud of banners. Considering the 
short notice, we have reason to feel proud of 
our city's holiday attire. Arriving at the grand 
stand a large number present paid their respects 
to and took by the hands our national digni- 
taries. When the first flutter of excitement 
had passed, and the vast audience had become 
settled, Hon. J. McM. Shafter, in a few well- 
timed and elo(^uent i-emarks, referred to the dis- 
tinguished gentlemen present on the stand, and 
introduced President Hayes, who was received 
with hearty applause. Mr. Hayes spoke about 
an hour a'ld his expression of encomium and 
sallies of wit called forth repeated ajiplause. 
Secretary of War Alexander Ramsey, was next 
inti'oduced, and made a pungent speech of about 
fifteen minutes, which produced both mirth and 
applause. General Wm. T. Sherman was next 
presente<l and hailed with enthusiastic applause. 
His speech was short, and related mainly to his 
visit to this part of the Pacific Coast in 1848. 
TheCieneral expressed his utter astonishment at 
the change that has taken place in thirty years. 
Governor Perkins, who was to delivei- the an- 
nual address of the fair, was then iiitroduceil, 
and spoke for about half an hour in a vein 
which kept the audience in a continuous uproar 
of merriment, lie exhiliited tjic adilress in 
nninuscript, wliii-h lie bad iiiteiiile(| u> (jeliver. 



llISToHY (IF SONOMA COi'NTY. 



but said it would answer for some other fair, 
and he would, like the gentlemen who preceded 
him, rest content witli an extemporaneous eilbrt. 
After witnessing the races, our visitors repaired 
to the residence of Professor E. S. Lippitt, 
where lunch was served, and at four oVdock, \: 
M., were escorted to tlie cars and departed for San 
Francisco. This is necessarily but brief mention 
of an event whicli will long be remembered by 
our citizens as a noted day in l^etaluma. 

Cill,ONEI. KOI) MATUESllX. 

Wiien civil war came it found Rod Matlieson 
the principal of an academy he had established 
at Ilcaldsburg in this county. From tlie very 
outset he had identified himself with tlie Free 
Soil party and when the civil war came, incited 
as lie believed by the slave power, lie was not 
long in determining tliat his duty lay at the 
front. Taking his life in his hand he went 
forth to battle for tlie right, as God gave him 
to see the right. His intelligence and dash 
marked him fur a leadfer, and he was made 
Colonel of the First California (Tliirty-secoml 
New York) llegiment. lie led his regiment in 
the memorable battle of South Mountain on the 
14th of October, 1S()2. Like the true and 
bi-ave man that he was, although in tlie face of 
defeat and disaster, he only left the field when 
borne away " on his shield.'" The following com- 
memorative of his worth and the esteem in which 
he was held by ins neighbors and fellow-citizens 
legitimately belongs to Sonoma County history. 

In September, 18(51, a war coirespondent of 
the San Francisco Alt<( wrote: •' 1 visited Hod 
Matheson"s regiment, composed alinust exclu- 
sively of returned Californians, and a finer body 
of men I never saw. They are drilled like 
veterans, and have a happy facnlty of getting 
along better than most uf the other regiments 
about them. 1 was impressed into their service 
for four days, and became the guest of tlie 
Colonel and Major l-"rank Lemon. They seem 
to live off tiie fat of the land, have a theatrical 
company among their members, a band of 
serenaders, and seem to have more fun going on 



in their encampment, than all the others put 
together. Strict discipline, while on diity, is 
maintained, and the men appear cheerful and 
contented. George Wilkes and Tom IJattel. 
and other choice spirits, make tliis regiment 
their headcpiarters. At the battle of Bull Run, 
about 150 outsiders, all Californians, well armed, 
did duty as irregulars with the regiment. It 
rendered the most effective service in covering 
the retreat of the Union forces, dro\e back the 
pursuing secession cavalry, and were the last 
to return to Alexandria, which they di<l not 
till the next day, in good order, saving 150 
wagons, most of the artillery, and the best por- 
tion of the baggage. The}' elected Matlieson 
General pro fuu.^ when ever}' other (reneral had 
left the field, and being joined by Col. IJlen- 
ker's (ierman regiment, succeeded in holding 
in check any attempt of the rebels to pursue. 
These two regiments, alone, saved several mill- 
ions worth of property. They had a battery of 
liglit artillery in the command, and did good 
service with it. They lost none killed, but sev- 
era Islightly wounded." 

The death of Col. Rod Mathesun. and the 
events preceding and following it are thus 
described in Washington correspondence of the 
New York Ilerahl, dated October 5, 18ti2: 

"The body of Col. Matlieson, of the First 
(Jalifoi'Tiia (Thirty-second New York) Regiment, 
was brom/ht here and embalmed to-day by Doc- 
tor> Ibiiwn and .Mexander. Col. ^[athesmi was 
wiiundfd while leading his regiment in the 
meiiKirable battle of South Mountain, on the 
l-lth lilt. It was found impossible to shell the 
rebels out of Coinpton (/iap, and General Slocum 
determined, after consulting with his I'rigadier 
(xenerals, to take by assault with iiit'antry the 
mountain which commanded the gap. It was 
one of the most brilliant atiairs of the war. The 
division cliarged up the steep mountain side, on 
which the rebels were posted behind three stone 
walls, with batteries placed on the crest of the 
mountain. The division, composed of l>artlett's, 
Newton's an<l Torbett"s brigades, advanced in 
line steadily up the hill under a terrible fire, 



HIsrollY OF tiONoMA VOliNTT. 



197 



forming upon tlieir colors after passing tlie bar- 
riers successfully, and drove the rebels from the 
]iositiun. A rebel J\[ajor who was wounded and 
t.iken prisonei', said the}' had been told that the 
Union troops to come against them were green; 
but when they saw their steady advance, in 
which they moved as if on dress parade, the 
word ran through the rebel lines: ' These are 
no recruits — these are from that damned old 
Army of the Potomac.' In this'charge Colonel 
Matheson was wounded, while in front of his 
regiment calling them on. A ball lacerated the 
arteries of his right leg and fractured the bone. 
He died of secondary hemoi'rhage. 

" Tiie Californians in this e,\ty met to day at 
the residence of Mr. William Dayton, and passed 
resolutions expressing their sense of the high 
cliaracter and gallant conduct of Colonel Mathe- 
son. Senator McDougall, who presided, paid 
an eloquent tribute to the excellent qualities of 
the deceased, and Cajjtain Fish, of the First 
California Regiment, spoke feelingly in praise of 
his late commander. 

" Atameeting of Californians now here. Sena- 
tor McDougall, chairman, the following named 
gentlemen of this city were a])pointed a com- 
mittee to receive the remains of the gallant 
dead: Messrs. C. K. Garrison, (4eorge Wilkes, 
W. T. Coleman, Warren J-eland, Charles X. 
Stetson and Alfred E. Tiiton. These gentle- 
men are expected to meet at the Astor House 
on Sunday to make the necessary arrangements 
to carry into effect the part assigned them. 

"The body will be conveyed to New York 
this afternoon, where it will lie in state a few days 
before l)eing carried to San Francisco for burial.'" 

When tlie news of the <lcath of Colonel Math- 
eson reached Ilealdsburg on < )ct(ibcr 24, 1802, 
a public meeting was at once called, which was 
presided over by Captain L. A. Norton — J. J. 
Maxwell, secretary — at which the following 
action was taken: 

On motion of i)r. I'iper a conimittee of five 
was appointed to draft resr)lutions expressive 
of the feeling of the meeting. The |]iesi(lcnt 
appointed Dr. Tiper, Ju<lge Spencer, J. .J. .May, 



J. A. Bagley, and the president was added by 
the meeting. 

The president said he would bu glad to hear 
from the gentlemen present. Mr. Fenno, in 
behalf of the Sotoyome Guards, of which Col- 
onel Matheson was a member, moved that the 
membei-s of the guard wear mourning upon the 
right arm thirty days in memory of the deceased. 

Kemarks were offered by various gentlemen 
present, after which the committee on resolutions 
made the following report which was adopted: 

WnicKEAs, Recent telegraphic dispatches have 
contirnied therumored death of our fellow-towns- 
man, Colonelllod Matheson, while bravely and 
heroically defending the honor of onr national 
tlag; therefore, 

liexidi'ed, That we bow submissively to this 
atHictive dispensation of Divine Providence, 
and in common with others, nionni the loss of 
a pure patriot. 

Rcsiili-ed, That in the death of Colonel 
Matheson, the nation has lost a brave defender, 
the army an etttcient othcer and daring soldier, 
the people of California one who has nobly rep- 
resented them on the field of battle, his parents 
a ilutiful son, his wife an affectionate husband, 
his children a kind and indulgent parent, and 
the people of Sonoma a worthy citizen, whose 
name will be long cherished and honored. 

liesoli'ctl, That we sincerely and heartily 
sympathize with the family of the deceased in 
their deep atHiction, and that a committee be 
a])pointe(l by this meeting to tender them the 
sympathy of this meeting, and a copy of these 
resolutii)ns. 

Ri'siilr,',!, That a committee of three be ap- 
pointed to confer with the mayorof the city of San 
Francisco with regai-d to the conveyaTice of there- 
mains of the deceased to this place for interment. 

A committee to report the proceedings ot 
this meeting to the widow was appointed by 
the president. William i)ow,.ludge Spencer and 
P. Griost. were a])j)oiiitcd on that (;c.mmittee. 

Committee ap|>ointed liy the jiresident lo 
confer with the mayor cjI' San Francisco: Mr. 
Ilhjoni, Mr. I'iehls and .I..J. May. 



198 



IlISTOHY OF 60N0UA COUNTY. 



In the Petaluma Argus of xsovember 12, 
1862, the following appeared: 

"On Thursday evenint^ last tlie remains of 
Colonel IJoderick Matlieson, who died troiii 
wounds roeeired at the battle of Cheat Moun- 
tain, Octoljer '2d, arrived in San Francisco on 
the steamer Sonora. The remains of the fallen 
hero were borne to i'latt's Ilall and laid in 
state, whither vast throngs of people repaired 
to take a last look at all that remained of the 
lamented Matlieson. The funeral pageant was 
solemn and imposing. Rev. Starr King deliv. 
ered the funeral oration on Saturday, after which 
the body was conducted aboard of the steamer 
PcUiluind with due milit.iiry and civic lionors. 

'•The steamer /'e^<?^««i'« with the remains of 
Colonel Matlieson, in charge of a detachment 
of the National (Guards, of San Francisco, 
reached her landing, below the city, at 7 o'clock 
Saturday evening. His remains were escorted 
to this city from the boat by the Healdsbnrg 
Band, retaluma Gurds, Emmet Rifles and eight 
pall-bearers, consisting of E. F. Dunne, Will- 
iam Ordway, Captain Creorge E. Lovejoy, 
George Campbell, T. K. Wilson, F. D. Coltoii, 
II. L. Weston and Samuel Cassiday. .Night 
had cast her sable mantle over the earth, thus 
lending additional solemnity to the occasion. 
The plaintive strains of the funeral marches 
played by the band floated mournfully on the 
still night air; with slow ami measured tread the 
procession entered our city, and passing up 
Main street halted in front uf ^[(-('une's Ilall. 
Tiie pall-bearers received the cothn from the 
hearse and bearing it up the flight of stairs to 
the hall, ]ilaced it on the eatafahjue prepared foi' 
the occasion. A guard of honor was detailed, 
and stationed in the hall, after which the cottin 
was opened, and for several hours there was a 
throng of visitors to look at the corpse of the 
gallant soldier whose life has l)een sacriflced 
upon the altar of his country. Although con- 
siderably emaciated the features of the deceased 
had not undergone sufficient change to prevent 
thosewhokncw him from recogniziiifj his familiar 
face. 



" About 9 o'clock Sunday morning, the pro- 
cession was again formed — the coffin was placed 
in the hearse and escorted out of the city. A 
detachment of the Petaluma (iuards, in con- 
iunction with the detachment from the National 
(iiiards, proceeded witli the body to Ilealdsliurg. 
Six pall-bearers, selected by the citizens of 
Santa Rosa, met and escorted the corpse to the 
2)laza, in that town, where an appropriate ad- 
dress was delivered by General O. Hinton. Tlie 
procession again took up its line of march for 
liealdsburg. arriving at tlie residence of the 
lamented Roderick Matheson at 8 o'clock in 
the evening. The citizens of liealdsburg had 
made every necessary preparation to pay suita- 
ble honor to the memory of their esteemed 
fellow-citizen, who was to lind a last resting 
place in their midst. At 11 o'clock on Monday, 
the Rev. Mr. Thomas, of San Francisco, deliv- 
ered an appropriate and touching funeral dis- 
course, after which the body of Colonel 
Matheson was consigned to its mother earth, 
and a military salute flred over his grave. 

" He sleeps his last sleep, he has fought his last baule. 
Xo sound can awake him to glory again." 

.loHN yi. CAMEKOX. 

The following sketch of the life of John Mil- 
ler Cameron, who, together with his wife, re- 
poses in the Sebastopol Cemetery, is worthy a 
place in this history, not only on account of liis 
own merits and Worth, but because in his family 
young Abraham Lincoln made his home, all un- 
conscious of the measure he was to till in the 
drama of life. In all the histories of Lincoln 
mention is made i)f his residence witli the Cam- 
eron family: 

" Rev. John Miller Cameron, a resident of 
Sebastopol, Sonoma County, California, and a 
minister of the gospel in I'acific Presbytery, of 
the C.'umberland Presbyter/an Church, was born 
in Elbert County, Georgia, on the 12th of 
August, 17111, and died at his residence at Se- 
bastopol, Sonoma (bounty, after a painful and 
distressing aflliction of two months, on the 12th 
of February, 1878, being eighty-six years, six 
months and nine days old, 



IITSTORY OP SONChUA COUNTY. 



" The deceased went with his t'atlieraud i'umily, 
while a youth, to Kentucky, in the year 1S04. 
and settled near the mouth of the Green River, 
in Henderson County, at which place he was 
married to IMary (^reiidorrt', in l>Sll; from 
which place he removed to the Territoi'y of Illi- 
nois, and settled in what is now White (Jonnty, 
in 1813. He removed from there to JJellviliu, 
in St. Clair County, in ISKJ, and from there to 
Sangamon County in 1818. This last move 
was made about the time Illinois was admitted 
into the Union. He stopped for a time near 
Springfield, after whicli he settled on Uock 
Creek, in the same county. lie was at the time 
a candidate for the ministry in the bounds of 
Sangamon Presbytery, and about the year 1827 
was licensed to preach, and devoted the principal 
part of his life-time to the ministry until 1S32, 
when he removed to Fulton County, Illinois, 
where he was instrumental in buildino; up seve- 
ral church organizations. He remained there 
until 1887, when he removed to the Territory 
of Iowa, and settled in Jefferson County, whei-e 
he was instrumental in building several more 
church organizations. Shortly after the admis- 
sion of the State into the Union, he again re- 
moved to Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa, 
and at that place built up an organization and 
erected the first house of worship in the place, 
devoting a portion of his time to preaching in 
the counties of Mahaska, Wa'pello, Van Huren, 
Jefferson, Ivcokuk, Henry, Jasper and others. 
He was always punctual in attendance to the 
appointments of the church, and seldom failed 
to meet his own. In the spring of 1840 he 
started with his family across the plains to (,'al- 
ifornia, and arrived at a place known as Fre- 
mont about the 1st of October the same year, 
remaining there but a short time. He then 
went to Sacramento, wiierc lie remained during 
the winter. In the summer of 185(J he removed 
to Martinez, preaching occasionally until the 
fall of 1851, when he removed to Sonoma ('oun- 
ty, near the present town of Sebastopol, where 
he purchased a farm, on which he has since re- 
sided. He was set a])art to the whole wf)rk of 



the ministry by California I'l-esbylery of tlie 
Cumberland Fresbyterian Church in 1854, after 
which his time was mostly spent in visiting 
destitute places, preaching and organizing 
churches, and after the organization in visiting 
and supplying said chui'cjies, until prevented by 
affliction and extreme old age. 

•' His wife died after a short illness, at her home 
in Sonoma County, on the 25th of March, 187t'), 
at the advanced age of eighty-two years. He 
and his wife had eleven children — ten daughters 
and one son. Nine of the daughters are still 
living, all but one in California. Thomas Por- 
ter Cameron, his son, was killed by the explo- 
sion of the steamer Secretary in 1854, near San 
F]-ancisco. One daughter, the wife of A. Mc 
Namer, died at the family home in 1855; one 
resides with her family near Cincinnati; the 
others are Mrs. Judge B. B. Berry, Mrs. S. M. 
Martin. Mrs. liev. B. JS'. i'onham and Mrs. C. 
Purvine, of Sonoma County; Mrs. Judge T. A. 
Brown, of Contra Costa County; Mrs. Hr. B. 
B. I'onham, of Butte County; Mrs. Henry Lys- 
tor, of Monterey County and Mrs. Cynthia War- 
ner, of Petaluma, the widow of the son deceased. 
The deceased liad at the time of his death filty- 
one grand-children and sixty-live great-grand- 
children. Since the deatli of the wife of tic- 
ceased, he has seemed to be broken down in 
spirits, discontented, lonely and dejected. 
Father Cameron was eminently a pioneer at the 
time of his settlement in Illinois in 1813, in 
Iowa in 1837, and in California in 1849; those 
States respectively not having been admitted 
into tiie Union. His life has been spent upon 
the frontier, and his occupation practically to 
clear the way for those who would follow. He 
was a devoted husband, kind and affectionate 
fathci' and generous neighbor. He died as he had 
lived, faithful to every obligation; was beloved 
Ijy all who knew him, and a large number of rel- 
atives ;ind friends mourn hisloss. He wasamem- 
ber 111' the Masonic fraternity about fifty years." 

SAI.MI MoliSi:. 

The Petal nma Arytis of March 1, 1884. said 
editorially: •' On last Saturday a telegraphic dis- 



iriSTOnY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



patch from JS'ew York announced tiie liii(iingol'the 
body of Salmi Morse in tlie Hudson River under 
circumstances strongly indicating deliberate sui- 
cide. For several years past the name of Salmi 
Morse has been prominently before the people of 
United States in connection with his persistent the 
etforts to gain for his " Passion I'lay," the right 
of exhil)ition. His long and fruitless struggle 
to achieve this end in New York City is familiar 
to all who keep posted on the current news of 
our country, but we hazard little in saying that 
many persons in Sonoma and adjoining counties 
who personally knew Mr. Morse, have never 
once thought of associating him with the Salmi 
Morse of ' Passion Play ' fame. The attention 
of the writer was first attracted to Mr. Morse 
at a Methodist camp-meeting, near Liberty 
school house in this county, the summer of 
either 1856 or 1857. After the usual sermon 
the exercises consisted in alternate singing and 
prayer. A call was made for Brother Morse to 
lead in prayer. As is usual in Methodist meet- 
ing the entire membership assumed a kneeling 
posture, when Mr. Morse, a man small in 
stature and bald-headed, stepped upon a bench 
and with his head thrown back, delivered a very 
earnest, eloquent invocation, to which emphasis 
was given l)y a rapid forward and backwai-d 
movement of the head. At that time we got 
the impression that he either was or iiad been 
a Baptist minister. Time sped on and in a few 
years we were involved in civil war. Mr. Morse 
was a Unionist of the most radical type. He 
contributed many communications to the Argus 
on national politics. He was a vigorous and 
forcible writer, but so ultra that even the Argus, 
accounted among the most radical of journals, 
often found it necessary to tone down and ex- 
tract some of the vinegar and gall from his 
articles. His whole soul seemed to be wrought 
up to a white heat of righteous indignation over 
the iniquity of human slavery, and he never 
seemed to tire in anathematizing that accursed 
institution. He was a frequent visitor of the 
Argus sanctum dnriiig war time, and lie never 



departed without leaving it vapory with his in- 
vective against those who were trying to found 
a government with human slavery as its 'chief 
corner-stone.' He was a great reader, and 
evidently a close student of the Bible. One of 
his most telling shots was the calling the atten- 
tion of the ri'aders of the Argus to the 12th 
chapter of Nnmliers as an unanswerable refu- 
tation of the pro-slavery theoiy that the black 
race was to be servile and despised on acconnt 
of the curse of God visited upon Ham and 
his descendants. During the closing j'ears cif 
the civil war, Mr. Morse had a ranch in the 
upper part of Mendocino County, from whence 
he sent occasional contributions to the Argus. 
That his ranching business was not a financial 
success will readily be inferred from the fact 
that in the spring time of each year he usually 
came to the lower valleys and devoted his 
time to grafting and budding fruit trees. 
From and after 186t) the Argus lost sight of 
Mr. Morse for more than a decade, and only had 
knowledge of him again when there w-as a 
furor over the introduction of the ' Passion 
Play' in San Francisco. H was during this 
lapse of years, probably, that he traveled 
abroad and visited the Holy Land, from whence 
he drew the inspiration for his biblical play. 
His career has certainly l)een a most checkered 
one. Earnest and zealous in all his undertak- 
ings, his life became essentially a ' warfare.' 
Even before his great life struggle had fairly 
begun, there was a glint to his eyes, when 
aroused to earnestness on any subject, that be- 
tokened a brain very sensitive to morbid influ- 
ences. His was not an organism fitted to 
challenge the ' slings and arrows ' of a great 
city like New York. What the outcome would 
be was only a question of time. The time came 
at the noon of night. On the one hand was the 
city that he thought had wrongfully proscribed 
the ' Passion Play,' the crowning work of his 
life, and on the other the placid Hudson. 
Of the latter Salmi Morse asked and received 
rel)ii~e friun the moil of life." 



EtSTOltY OF SONOMA COUNT y. 



201 



r 






D 



r: 



-j-^at^^ 



J^'. 










CHAPTER XXIII. 

Animals xati\k of Sonuma Coixtv — gkizzi.v, urown and black ukak — paxthkr — fox — 

WOLF COYOTE wrLD-CAI' l[(irXTAIN-CAT ELK. DEEl:, ANTELOPE, ICTC. 



tITTELL, who is good authority, enumer- 
ates the indigenous animals of California 
as follows: The grizzly bear ; the black 
bear ; the cinnamon bear; the elk ; one deer ; 
one antelope ; the mountain-sheep; the panther ; 
the wild cat ; the gray wolf ; the coyote ; three 
foxes ; the badger ; the raccoon ; the opossum ; 
the mountain-cat ; the weasel ; two skunks ; one 
porcupine ; three squirrels ; two spermophiles ; 
two ground-squirrels ; three rats ; three jumping- 
rats ; one jumping-monse ; nine mice ; one mole; 
three hares ; two rabbits ; the seal ; the sea- 
otter ; the sea-lion ; the beaver ; two vultures ; 
the golden eagle ; the bald eagle ; the tislih;iwk; 
eighteen other hawks ; nine owls ; the road- 
runner ; twelve woodpeckers ; four humming- 
birds ; eleven tlyeatchers ; one hundred and 
nine singers ; one pigeon ; two doves ; three 
grouse ; three quails ; one sandhill crane ; forty- 
one waders ; sixty-six swimmers, including two 
swans and five geese ; about two dozen snakes, 
including the rattlesnake ; half a dozen salmon ; 
two codlish ; and one mackerel. 

Of these, all were indigenous to Sonoma 
(bounty except the oj)08sum, the jnmping-rats, 
the mountain-sheej), and possibly a few varie- 
ties of the birds and salmon. Our grizzly bear 
(^f'rxii.t horriliiliti) is the largest an<l most 
fnnniilablc of the (iiiadnijicds. lie grows to be 



four feet high and seven feet long, with a weight, 
when very large and fat, of a thousand pounds, 
being the largest of the carnivorous animals, 
and )nuch heavier than the lion or tiger ever 
get to be. The grizzly bear, however, as ordi- 
narily seen, does not exceed eight hundred or 
nine hundred pounds in weight. In color the 
l)ody is a light grayish-brown, dark brown about 
the ears and along the ridge of the back, and 
nearly black on the legs. The hair is long, 
coarse, and wiry, and stiff on the top of the neck 
and between the shoulders. The " grizzly." as 
he is usually called, was at one time exceedingly 
numerous for so large an animal ; but he offered 
so much meat for the hunters, and did so much 
damage to the farmers, that he has been indus- 
triously hunted, and his numbers have been 
greatly reduced. The grizzly is very tenacious 
of life, and he is seldom immediately killed l)y 
a siuirle bullet. His thick, wirv hair, toiiyfli 
skin, heavy coats of fat when in good condition, 
and large bones, go far to protect his vital 
organs ; but he often seems to preserve all his 
strength and activity for an hour or more after 
having been shot through tlie lungs and liver 
with large rifle balls. He is one of the most 
d-angerous animals to attack. There is much 
probability that wlicn shot he will not be killed 
ontficrbt. Wlien mei'dy wounded he is fero- 



IIISToHY OF SONOMA COUNrV 



cious ; liis weight and strength are so great that 
lie bears down all opposition before him ; and 
he is very quick, his speed in running being 
nearly equal to that of the horse. In attacking 
a man, he usually rises on his hind-legs, strikes 
his enemy with one of his powert'u! fore-paws, 
and then commences to bite him. 

The black bear ( Ursus Ameiicanns) is found 
in the timbered portions of the county. Dr. 
Newberry, speaking of the food of the black 
bear, says: "The subsistence of the black bears 
in the northern portion of California is evid- 
ently, for the most part, vegetable. The man- 
zanita, wild plum, and wild cherry, which fruit 
profusely, and are very low, assist in making up 
his bill of fare. 

The brown, or cinnamon bear, is also common 
to Sonoma County. The panther, supposed by 
Dr. Jsewberry t(j be the Felis conrolor — the 
same with the panther found on the Atlantic 
slope of the continent — has a body larger than 
that of the common sheep, and a tail more than 
half the length of the body. Its color is dirty- 
white on the belly, and elsewhere a brownish- 
yellow, mottled with dark tips on all the hairs. 
The panther is a cowardly animal, and, except 
when driven by some extraordinary motive, 
never attacks man. The jianther is nocturnal 
in his habits, and always prefers the night as a 
time for attacking colts, which are a favorite 
prey with hiin. 

Tlie American wild-cat {Lyn.r ruftis) is com- 
mon here. 

The gray wolf [L!anis occidcntalis) is found 
here, but is not abundant. 

The coyote used to be very common, and 
occupied the same place here with that occupied 
in tlie Mississippi Valley by the prairie-wolf. Dr. 
Xewberry thinks the two belong to the same 
species (( 'a /lis latrans). The color of the coyote 
has a reddish tinge. His food consists chiefly 
of rabbits, grouse, small birds, inice, lizzards, 
and frogs ; and in time of scarcity he will eat 
carrion, grasshoppers, and bugs. lie is very 
fond of poultry, ])igs, and lambs, and will destroy 
almost as nnuiy of tiiem as would a fnx. lie is 



one of the worst eneiiiies and most troublesome 
pests of the farmer. 

The gray fox {Vu/j>es Virghi'nouis] is the 
only animal of that species we know to exist in 
Sonoma County, although many years ago, we 
heard that a black fox had been killed in the 
northern end of the county. 

The American badger {Ta.cidea Americavr/) 
used to be common here, but they are now 
nearly extinct. 

The black-footed raccoon (^Proycon hernande:;- 
sii) is very common in the forests and along the 
water courses of the county. 

Of the yellow-haired porcupine [Erethison 
epixantJnis), a few have been found in Sonoma 
County, but they are very rare. 

The mountain-cat, or striped bassaris [Bks- 
saris astida), is occassionally found liere, but 
are not numerous. The body is about the size 
of that of the domestic cat, but the nose is vevy 
long and sharp, and the tail very long and large. 
The color of the animal is dark gray, with rings 
of black on the tail. The miners call it the 
"mountain-cat," and frequently tame it. It is 
a favorite pet with them, becomes very playful 
and familiar, and is far more atlectionate than 
the common cat, which it might replace, for it 
is very good at catching mice. 

The yellow-cheeked weasel (^I'tdoriiix .nintho- 
fjenyif) is found here, but are not numerous. 

The common mink {Put<irini< r/.w/zlhasa" 
skin as valuable as that of •the beaver ; the fin- 
is of a dark, brownish, chestnut color, with a 
white spot on the end of the chin. They exist 
here, but are very rare. 

California has two skunks (^Jlejy/titis orci- 
denfalis and Mephitis bicolor'), very common 
animals. The Jlejdiitis bicolor, or little stri])ed 
skunk, is chiefly found south of latitude 3!)° ; 
the other in the northern and central parts of 
the State. The colors of both are black and white. 
They both have a place in Sonoma C'ounty. 

T/ie S<iuirrei Faiiidij. — The California gray 
squirrel (iSciurui fossory the most beautiful 
and one of the largest of the squirrel genus, 
inhal>its all the jjine forests of tlie State. Its 



nrsToRT OF sotroMA county. 



203 



color on tlio hack is a tiiiely-Lrfizzled l)luisli 
fj;ray, and white, heneath. At tiie haso of the 
ear is a little woolly tuft, of a chestnut culor. 
The sides of tiie feet are covered with hair in 
the winter, hut are l)are in the summer ; the 
hod}' is more slender and delicate in sliape than 
that of the Atlantic, gray squirrel. It some- 
times erows to he twelve inches long in the head 
and hody, and fifteen inches in the tail, making 
the entire length twenty-seven inches. Dr.New- 
herry says: "The t'alifornian gray squirrel is 
eminently a tree-squirrel, scarcely descending to 
the ground but for food and water, and it sub- 
sists almost exclusively on the seeds of the 
.largest and loftiest pine known (^2mius lamher- 
tiana), the ' sugar-pine ' of the Western coast. 
Tliese squirrels inhaliit the forests of Sonoma 
County." 

The Missouri striped ground-squirrel has five 
dark-brown stripes on the iiack, separated by 
four gray stripes; the sides are reddish-brown, 
the belly grayish-white, and the tail rusty-black 
above and rusty-brown beneath. The animal is 
four or five inches long. It is found in the 
northern part of the State. It eats acorns and 
the seeds of the pine, inanzanita, and ceanothns, 
in the thickets of which last-named bush it prefers 
to hide its stores. This species of squirrel is 
e.\ceedingly rare in Sonoma County. 

The Sj)cr)iio2>hile has two species in Califor- 
nia, which resemble each other so closely, that 
they are usually sup])0sed to be the same; the}' 
are popularly known as the California ground- 
squirrels, the little pests which are so destruc- 
tive to the grain crops. Their bodies arc ten or 
eleven inches long in the largest specimens; the 
tail is eight inches long and bushy, the ears 
large, the cheeks pouched, and herein consists 
the chief difference between them and squiri-els; 
the color above black, yellowish lnown, and 
brown, in indistinct mottlings, hoary-yellowish 
on the sides of the head and neck, and pale yel- 
lowish-brown on the under side of the body and 
legs. They dwell in burrows, and usually live 
in communities in the open, fertile valleys, pre- 
fering to nnike their burrows under the shade of 



an oak tree. Sometimes, iiowover, single spcr- 
mophiles will be found living in a solitary man- 
ner, remote from their fellows. Their burrows, 
like those of the prairie-dog, are often used by 
the rattlesnake and the little owl. Dr. New- 
berry says: ''The}' are very timid, starting at 
every noise, and on every intrusion into their 
privacy dro])])ing from the trees, or hurrying in 
from their wanderings, and scudding to their 
hole's with all possible celerity; arriving at the 
entrance, however, they stop to reconnoitre, 
standing erect, as squirrels rarely and spermo- 
philes habitually do, and looking about to satisfv 
themselves of the nature and designs of the in- 
truder. Should this second view justify their 
flight, or a motion or step forward still further 
alarm them, with a peculiar movement, like that 
of a diving duck, they plunge into their bur- 
rows, not to venture out till all cause of fear is 
past. The scpiii'rels of this species were exceed- 
ingly rare in Sonoma County until within the 
past decade. They seem to have effected an en- 
trance from the valleys to the east, and are iu>w 
multiplying along the foot-hills of the Sonoma 
range of mountains. The farmers, as yet, seem 
not to realize the magnitude of the damage these 
squirrels will ultimately accomplish. 

The California gopher ( Thonionii/s: bidljirorus) 
is the most al)iindant and most troublesome 
rodent of the county. AVhen full grown, it has 
a body six or eight inches long, with a tail of 
two inches. The back and sides are of a chest- 
nut-brown color, ])aler on the under parts of the 
body and legs; the tail and feet are of grayish- 
white; the ears are very short. In the cheeks 
are large jjouches, covered with fur inside, white 
to their margin, which is dark-brown. 

Of rats and mice there are many species in 
Sonoma County. There is very common in 
the forests a wood-rat that builds conical- 
shaped burrows l)y means of piling up sticks 
and i)ramble. ^Ve have seen these rat houses 
as much as ten feet in diameter at the base and 
five or six feet high. Of mice there are many 
species of both field and house pests. We have 
seen here two or three specimens of the Jerboa 



204 



IIIf^rORY OF SONOAfA COUNTY. 



family, called by some kangaroo mice, on ac-. 
count of their great length of hind legs, from 
whicli they spring, as does the kangaroo. 

The American elk [Cermis atnadensix) used 
to be ])lentifiil in Sonoma County, but is now 
extinct. Tliis animal was nearly as hirge as u 
horse. It freiiiiently readied the weight of 
from six hundred to one thousand pounds. 
The color was a chestnut-brown, dark on the 
head, neck, and legs, lighter and yellowish 
on the back and sides. The horns were very 
large, sometimes more than four feet long, three 
feet across from tip to tip, measuring three 
inches in diameter above the burr, and weigh- 
ing, with the skull, exclusive of the lower jaw, 
forty pounds. The horns of the old bucks had 
from seven to nine, perhaps more, i)rongs, all 
o-rowing forward, the main stem running uj)- 
ward and backward. 

In Sonoma County there never were any 
white-tailed liuei-, l)ut instead, we have the black- 
tailed deer [i'erriix ri>lir>/i/>ianus), which is a 
little larger and has brighter colors, but does 
not furnish as good venison, the meat lacking the 
juiciness and savory taste of the venison in the 
IVIississippi Valley. The average weight of the 
buck is about one hundred and twenty pounds, 
and of the doe one hundred pounds, but bucks 
have been found to weigh two hundred and 
seventy-five pounds. The summer coat of the 
black-tailed deer is composed of rather long and 
coarse hair, of a tawny brown, approaching 
chestnut on the back, in September this hair 
becrins to come otf, exposing what the hunters 
call the '•blue coat," which is at tirst fine and 
silkv, and of a bluish-gray color, afterward be- 
coming chestnut brown, inclining to gray on the 
' sides, and to l)lack along the back. Occasion- 
ally deer purely white are found. The horn, 
when long, is about two feet long, and forks 
near mid- length, and each prong forks again, 
making four points, to wdiicli a little spur, issu- 
ino- from near the base of tiie horn, may be 
added, making five in all. This is the general 
form of tlie burn; sometimes. howe\er. old 
bucks are fouml with but two points. 



The prong-horned antelope (^ji7itilocajria 
americana) used to range the valleys of Sono- 
ma (bounty like bands of sheep. They are new 
extinct. In size the antelope was not quite so 
large as the California deer, which it resembled 
closely ill form and general appearance. They 
were distinguished at a distance by their mcition; 
the antelope canters, wliile the deer runs; the 
antelope went in herds, and moved in a line 
following the lead of an old buck, like sheep, 
to which they are related, while deer more fre- 
quently are alone, and if in a herd they are 
more independent, and move each in the way 
that suits him best. In color, the back, upper 
part of the sides and outside of the thighs and 
forelegs were yellowish-brown; the under parts, 
lower part of the sides, and the buttckos as 
seen from behiiul, were white. The hair was 
very coarse, thick, spongy, tubular, slightly 
crimped or waved, and like short lengths of 
coarse threads cut otf bluntly. The horns were 
very irregular in size and form, but usually they 
were about eight inches long, rose almost per- 
pendicularly, had a short, blunt prong in front, 
several inches from the base, and made a slioi-t 
backward crook at the top. The female had 
horns as well as the male. The hoof was heai-t- 
sliaped, and its jnint upon the ground could be 
readily distinguished from the long, narrow 
track of the deer. The antelope was about two 
feet and a half high, and four feet long from the 
nose to the end of the tail. 

' Audubon's hare (Zejcw-v auduhonii) is the 
most common species in Sonoma County. Its 
tail is about three inches long, and its color is 
mixed with yellowish-brown and black above, 
white beneath, thigiis and rump grayish. 

The sage rabbit [LepuK arfe>nlsi</) is also 
found here. 

Of the birds and fish of Sonoma County we 
will not undertake to speak. Of the former 
there is almost an infinite variety, and to at- 
tempt to classify and describe each would re(|uire 
a vast amount of labor and research. Of fresh 
water, salt water and shell tish, the varieties 
nearly equal that of the birds and fowls. 



BISTORT Of SONOMA COUNTt. 



205 






, -i' ^ -til 



-^Msjl OUR FLORA AND CONIFERA. 

5i-^»>ri " ' '^' ^^-''-^- — ,. 7,~ 



m 






CHAPTER XXIY. 



fori the flora and conifera of Sonoma County 
we are indebted to W. A. T. Stratton, the 
Of Fetahuiia florist, who has given the sub- 
ject years of patient research and study: 

"The emerald sheen of hill and dale, the 
gorgeous kaleidoscopic picture whifli no pen or 
brush could ever portray, in justice to nature's 
bounteous gifts, should engage a far more facile 
])en than mine. Indeed, so inexpressibly beau- 
tiful are all our primitive flora, the multiplicity 
of forms and colors, my effort, no matter how 
exhaustive it might be to even faintly mention 
the more jjrominent, would be wholly inade- 
(piate to do justice to so glorious a sulyect. 

" In early spring, our golden A'sehsc/iolfzias 
dancingly nod and kiss the morning breeze in 
wavy masses, the first to tell us of nat\ire's 
awakening, while in sheltered vales delicate 
ferns come forth anew clotiied as it were in na- 
ture's wedding garb of faultless, yet exquisite 
loveliness. Then successively come our Bi'o- 
diaeafi, our Tritdeiai^, our C'atiKtsaias and Stni- 
hiciimx, intersj)ersed and commingled with 
Lupins in charming shades and forms, while 
Fr'ilUltii'hifi and the butterfly tuli[)S [Cdlvo- 
limidn) in countless myriads bleml their beati- 
ful colors so bright, so lovely, that 'language is 
useless, its expression dumb.' 

" Nothing was known, comparatively, of our 
tbira, till D(jugl:iss made his first exj)lririiti(jn in 



tlie year 179(). Menzies, Lindley, Lowson and 
Michaux had traversed Puget yonnd. and fol- 
lowing down the coast to the Columbia, and 
some of them penetrated the northern portion 
of our State; but Douglass, the energetic En- 
glish botanist, followed down the coast range to 
San Francisco Bay, and has said in his report 
no section of the world ever presented so ricii 
and varied a flora as that section of country 
lying adjacent to and' north of the bay; and 
more especially, its coast i-ange and valleys; 
and in honor to his eminent services our peer- 
less conifera Ahies DoiitjUisxil was named, one 
of our most beautiful native evergreen trees. 

" IVEany enthusiastic explorers then visited 
our region, and Alta California soon gave the 
world many floral treasures, for which our cool, 
moist climate was so favorable for the devel- 
opment of. And yet what a sad remnant of the 
past; vandalism, the greed for gain, so rapidly 
obliterated our forests of those noble structures 
that nature's effort took centuries to build; 
our hills and vales swej)t as it were by flames, 
are nearly obliterated of all those gems of crim- 
son and gold, and the cottage and trellis deck 
the once primitive scene. Our choicest flora is 
cast aside for the less l)eautiful forms of other 
climes. 

"Of the evergreen trees indigenous to our 
section may be prominently mentiuncd our red- 



306 



IIISTORT OF SONOMA OOVNTY. 



wood Seijno'ui tSenipervi'rens,o{ whose mam moth 
proportions all are well a&niainted, forming 
as it were so extensive and valuable forests all 
over our county; but it is not generally known 
that its relative S. Gigantea, also grows here, 
but in ver^' limited quantities. Some years ago, 
a gentleman hunting along on our northern 
boundary found a small grove on a tributary of 
the Russian Kiver, and very thoughtfully 
brought me a small liml) and some cones, to be 
certain of their identity. The trees were very 
small comparatively, growing less than 100 feet 
high and very stunted in habit. Abies Douglassii 
is very plentiful, growing to regal proportions 
near the coast in sheltered places, and we can 
justly feel proud of this beautiful conifera as 
the most beautiful of all trees i.ative of Cali- 
fornia. I have seen natural specimens of this 
noble tree nearly 150 feet high, clothed from 
near the ground in natural graceful outlines, as 
perfect in form as the hand of man could make, 
and vet how few are ever to be found in culti- 
vation. It is I if \ery rapid growth and worthy 
of attention. In the vicinity of Sebastopol it was 
very plentiful, the ynung trees being largely used 
for Christmas trees. A. Pattonlana (Patton's 
giant spruce), is also foimd sparingly. It is of 
a bright glaucous green, growing 150 feet high, 
existing only near the coast. I'hiun Murt<ata 
(Bishop's jiine), a s])aringly clothed tree of 
medium size, may be found only in the more 
southern [Kirtion. It is of no use in the arts or 
for ornament. /'. i//t>i)/ti/x (Oregon pitch pine), 
is a very beautiful species plentiful all over our 
county especially in the middle and northern 
part, but a few comiiaratively are found in cul- 
tivation, though for some years quantities were 
grown for forest culture; but its value for tim- 
ber is worthless. /'. tuherculata in stunted 
form may be found along the Mark West Creek, 
growing 70 to 100 feet high; it is of very slow 
growth, though lieautiful in lorm, color and 
outline. /'. Sah'uina, Sabine's pine, is one of 
the most l)eautinil of all our native ])ines. It is 
only found in the nortjiwestern portion, growing 
in natural tapering outline 100 to 150 feet. It 



is more commonly known as bull piue, tiie seed 
or nuts being very large and are gathered by 
Indians as a staple article of food. P. radiatn, 
grows only over in canons near the coast; it is 
a small tree, but the timber is said to be val- 
uable, being exceedingly tough and strong. J'. 
nuicrocarj>a,is vevy near\y related to J', insignis 
and is the variety so largely found in our yards 
and gardens. There may be other species of 
the pine family to l)e found in scattered local- 
ities, but I have luentioned all of those I have 
personally found growing here. I had forgot- 
ten a beautiful species of the pine sub-family, 
ahies nohilis, noble silver lir; and, as its name 
implies, is one of our most magnificent pro- 
dtictions. It is a singular, majestic tree grow- 
ing along our most northern border, producing 
timber of fine quality, in some localities grows 
200 feet high; but further northward to Oregon 
thence to the Columbia, its size increases, be- 
comes nmre plentiful, occupying almost ex- 
clusive entire tracts of countrj'. It is a fitting 
companion to ^1. Poiiglassii, two of the most 
magnificent evergreens of the Pacific coast. We 
can boast of one jnnipev ./an Ijieni.i <iri<h'iit((li.-<, 
a small tree of about filfy feet high, growing 
sparsely along Jhe San Antonio Creek. It is a 
handsome tree and well suited for dry, rocky 
locations. 

" Some few specimens, I am told, may be found 
of Thttja Gigantea, giant arbor vitiK, over near 
the mouth of Russian River. In more favored 
locations it grows 200 feet high and -10 feet in 
diameter. In cultivation it is of majestic ap- 
pearance, of most pleasing contour and color, 
and well worthy of attention. 

'• Of the cypress family we have cuj)resfiti>i 
Laiusoniana, a very beauitful ornamental tree 
so well known in our gardens. It is found sc> 
far as I know only in tiie most northeastern 
portion of our county. C. fragrdns is a small 
tree of about forty feet high, of a bright glaucous 
green, and exceedingly beautiful; its slender 
branches droop gracefully down, and form a 
charming tree. I have found it over near 
Sonoma, in the upper end of the valley. It is 



HISTOBT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



!i<)t generally known that our California nut- 
meg-tree is a conifer. It belongs to the yew 
sub-family, botauically known as To/rei/ t'al- 
ifoiiini'ii. There is imtiiing very beautiful 
about it, but it is a plant to be seen but to be 
let alone, as it possesses in a large degree the 
unpleasant odor of the family; and hence is 
called the stinking yew. 

"Of other prominent trees of our county men- 
tion must be made of the noble family of oaks. 
Ot the genus Queix-nx, we have (J.falcata, the 
tanbark oak; (J. ii'kji'u, the black oak; Q. alba, 
the white oak; C/ aijtiafica, the water oak; Q. 
liiurifolio, the laurel-leaf oak; and Q. ile.i\ the 
holly-leaf oak. There several sub-species of 
these interesting trees, all well-known to 'the 
native born.' 

"We now mention a more interesting group, 
our flowering plants, of which we have countless 
numbers; and as the lily deservedly is the 
(pieen of our native tiora, it sliall have the 
jirecetience in these brietly written notes. 

'■'■ L'dhuii Washingtoiilaniiiii. This beauti- 
ful species is found only on the highest hill- 
tops. It is an Alpine plant, and when grown 
in low localities slowly pines away. It is of a 
p"nre white color, becoming of a purj)lish cast 
with age; often delicately dotted. To tiiosewho 
attempt its cultivation, let me waiii them it is 
sensitive to all stimulants, and must be gi-own 
in a cool, shady place. It is our most lovely na- 
tive species, and worthy of generous care, in the 
hopes of ultimately succeeding in its more suc- 
cessful culture. L. ruheKceiis is in reality a sub- 
species of the foregoing. It has been found on 
the moutitains near Sonoma and in iJedwoods 
near Guernevilie, often seven fert high, flowers 
nearly white, ciianging to purple or rose lilac 
in coloi'. /,. parrHin, is another pretty variety 
of an orange-yellow color. It is of easy cul 
ture and grows well in any cool, di-y soil. /,. 
Pardalinuia is of a bright orange color, and 
enjoys a very moist, deep soil. I have seen 
large quantities of these i)eautil'iil lilies on the 
banks of the San Antonio that at times of the 
year must be subirjerged by overHowing wa- 



ters. It has succeeded well with me, and well 
repays any generous attention. L. IlximhohUii 
may be found only, as far as I can learn, on the 
coast near Foi't Iloss. It grows three to four 
feet high, much resembling our-tiger lily in col- 
or. A sub variety of this lily, L. Colauibiamnn, 
was sent nie from Ilealdsburg some years ago, 
having broad, flats terns and massive large, creep- 
ing root-like bulbs. In fact, all our California 
lilies possess this characteristic form more or less, 
that so plainly distinguishes them from the 
more common forms of lilies. Of the lily sub- 
family the Vaiochortus ranks ne.xt in beauty of 
our native flora. They are more commonly 
known as Mariposa, or Butterfly Tulips, so 
named from their gaudy, showy colors; of these 
we have C. jia/o/igllus, of a beautiful orange- 
yellow color, with darkliloches on each petal. It 
comes very late in flower, generally in July and 
August, and is plentifully found in tiry pas- 
tures and hill-sides. 

" C jViuIus, a very beautiful dwarf species, 
scarcely one foot in height, of a delicate lilac, 
and white color, grows only in the shade of 
trees. ('. yialii is of a deep yellow color, 
blooming in June, often we have seen it spot- 
ted a pure magenta, giving it a unique ap- 
pearance. V. Lupins is of a deep yellow color, 
spatted brown and purple, exceedingly showy. 

'•f)f our Fi'itillarias, also a sub variety of our 
lilies, and more popularly known as Cn.iwn Im- 
perials, we have some most beautiful species, 
and to those who know of them we heartily 
commend them as well worthy of extended cul- 
tivation. They all have most beautiful flow- 
ers, and succeed well ill most any position: in 
fact, are one of the lew that don't c.-ire what 
treatment they recei\'e, only jilant them in th(> 
ground. 7''. r<-fnri\i. is \ery lieautil'ul, beiuLCol' 
a yelluw spotted brown color, generally found 
in dry pastures in loose, sandy soil. Cultivation 
largely improves the flowers, they being fully as 
beautiful as anyof the foi-eign species. F. hlffora 
has flowers of a darl<-l)rowii purple, I inted green, 
and grows oidy over near the coast. W'e often 
have seen it in the dry, sliilting sands on the sea 



H/STOUr OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



sliore, indifferent to exposure alike, be it spray 
from the ocean ur the dry, parching winds and 
sunsliine. F. L<inreolaf<t is of tlie most deli- 
cate structure and habit. Its dark purple flow- 
ers mottled with greenish yellow, so frail and 
slender, seem incapable of withstanding the 
rough frontier life, yet its delicate chalice, 
drooping modestly, seems indifferent to the 
praise of its admirers. F. plurlliora is of a 
reddish purple color, and to us the more beauti- 
ful of the species. It may be found only in 
the shade of fences or trees or on tiie north 
side of rocky hill-sides. Some lovely speci- 
mens may be found in April or May on the 
shady banks of dry creeks, and possil)]y many 
other similar locations all over our county. Its 
l>entlnlous, drooping flowers are of most ex- 
ijuisite loveliness, and as it takes kindly to cul- 
tivation, should be more extensively grown. 

"The next most interesting genius of flower- 
ing bulbous plants are the Brodiaeas. All the 
species are of the easiest cultivation an<l will 
repay the most simple attention. Many of them 
grow with me in hard walks, dry corners, where 
they get no care or attention; but when tlie 
slightest interest is given tiiem, most amply re- 
pay, with grateful appreciati<^n. /*. M idtiliour 
is of a most lovely violet-purple color, growing 
about one foot in height, and the earliest variety 
to flower. B. CviHjeMn, is of a lovely purple 
color, often flowering when two or three inches 
high. It is the easiest grown of the species, and 
in cultivation blooms almost continuously from 
May to August. B. Capitata blooms the eai'- 
liest of all, generally from January to May. Its 
dark purple flowers are \ery attractive and 
showy, usually growing one and a half feet 
high. (Tather some bulbs of Itrodeas, friends, 
no matter if in full flower, give them kiml at- 
tention, and a rich reward awaits you. 

" 1 now chauge to a highly interesting group 
of plants, one admired by all — Ferns — which 
our county possesses in matchless beauty. I 
shall not attempt a botanical description. The 
reader in the pursuit of knowledge must inter- 
view a more competent teacher. Our California 



Botany, edited by the gifted Prof. Asa Gray, and 
the California Flora, are authorities of unques- 
tionable character. The most noble and majes- 
tic of all our species is Woodwordia radican.s. 
I have gathered fronds of this beautiful variety 
fully ten feet long. In dark, moist canons near 
the coast, sheltered from winds and sunshine, 
it may be found in its best estate. In cultiva- 
tion it seems to pine out a miserable existence, 
growing at best not more than four feet high. 
Near the head of Bear Valley in Marin Coiiii- 
ty some massive beauties were growing a few 
years ago. Their graceful, arching fronds made a 
leafy bower of fairy splendor. One specimen I 
measured covered a space of twenty feet across. 
Another beautiful fei-n, not by any means plen- 
tiful, is Lomari'i Sj^irant. At the base of Spring 
Hill, a few miles from our city, some most love- 
ly specimens may be found, the fronds growing 
six to seven feet high; the beauty of this fern is 
the finely dissected leaves or fronds. 

"There are but few ferns, however small in 
structure, so delicately divided in formation, and 
though large and massive ini'orm, is of most ex- 
(juisite grace and loveliness. Of the Adiantuni, 
or maiden-hair ferns, we have only two species. 
A jhjdatuiii or bird-foot fern, or nnjre common- 
ly known as five-ttnger fern, is a most graceful 
and attractive plant. Under good culture its 
delicate fronds gi'ow to regal beauty. A. Va^i- 
illxs reui'-r/n, often known as ,1. Cliilensis, is 
of low growth, yet most beautiful and attractive. 
It does not take kindly to cultivation and much 
prefers the wilds of its I'ocky hoioe. In 
Eurojje, however, it is a variety of deep in- 
terest, where it appears to stand on its good be- 
havior. PeJlea denna is indeed a most ex- 
quisite and lovely fern. Years ago I found this 
variety near Ilealdsburg, almost completely 
covering a huge rock. Interspersed in cracks 
and Assures was one matchless CheUimtheH 
Cidiforihica or lace fern, almost completely cov- 
ering from sight the little mossy covering that 
seemed to alone give life and nutrition, while at 
its base were tine specimens of l'(dyj>odiiiiii 
Vahjare, I*. T'a/ca^itm and 1'. Cal-iforicuvi, 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



209 



stately, grand sentinels of tlieir more delicate 
relatives above tlieni. Of other species of ferns 
found growing in our county, 1 mention Gi//n- 
noijiHinvie t/'ian(/ul(trh<i, the gold-back fern, 
Che'dnntheS(jraeUliinr(,J'i'Ue<iAndiriiae(hi'foUa, 
and possibly some others. 1 have often sent 
specimens for identification to different botan- 
ists, and their classification often caused con- 
fusion. 

''As yet, much remains to be learned as to the 
botany of our State. Changes are repeatedly l)e- 
ing made by savants, showing conclusively of 
tlieir indecision, and years must elapse, — years 
of study, and a comjjarison of notes and speci- 
mens, — before a final permanent basis is reached. 

" I have very hastily and very briefly sketched 
these rambling notes of history, and though 
but a mere mention of our vast flora has been 
noticed, it is to l>e hoped it may afford some lit- 



tle pleasure to onr readers. It is to be hoped 
that at no distant day an earnest effort may be 
made to collect and classify the many different 
genera of plants growing in our county. 

" It would be of great interest to the student 
of nature, and a valuable auxiliary for all fu- 
ture generations in learning of uur primitive 
flora. Such a monograph could be easily ac- 
complished by the higher academic classes of 
onr schools. In fact, when elementary botany 
is taught, students should be instructed to bring 
in specimens of all jilants they could And at all 
times of the year. These should be mounted 
and exchanged with different sections, thus se- 
curing many different forms froni all locations. 
Let me suggest a permanent herbarium for all 
our schools, be they of a primary or more ad- 
vanced graile, and if need be it should lie com- 
pulsory.'' 



210 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNT F 




"LO, THE POOR INDIANI 



M' 



Bi 11 



VM?i>Miii''!ii1 1 ^ »» fe^ < ?jr i ii'(it ife '»g 



4^t^^^ i^^'m < (Mi> i 'fs> i'Vitii' ^l^) 




CHAPTER XXV 



Tin; Indians — mis-kin kki oki> mi- ri;ii!Ai, xamks — Yai-le-ih's estimaii: oi-- tiikik ximrkr — thkik 
Ni mi;i;k at timk oi- Amkrhan sKiri.KMKNr — iiikiu c imitjixiox and stati kk — iiuw tiiev j.i\ ed 

TIIEIK IM1'LEMI;MS — INTKin lEW WITH CasKIUEL AND Jo-E VivlAK) — JolIN Wai.KEk's 

statement. 



N those chapters historic of Padre ^Vltiiiiira's 
tbiiiiding tlie mission San Francisco Sohiiio 
^ at Sonoma, and the iirst colonization of tliis 
county by tlie Spaniards, necessarily appeared 
most of what is authentic history in connection 
with the Indian tribes occupyino; tlie territory 
embraced in the subject of this history. It is 
to be regretted that much of this is su indefi- 
nite as to preclude a possibility of writing with 
specific e.xactness in reference to the names of 
tribes; their numerical strength, or the bounda- 
ries of the territory over which each triljc 
claimed jurisdiction. 

According to the mission books of Sonoma 
the following named Indian tribes furnished 
neophytes to that institution: Alocjuiomi, Aten- 
oniac, C'anoma, ("arcpiin, C^anijolmano, Caymus, 
Chemoco, Chichoyoini, CliinMivi'iii, Coyayomi, 
Iluiluc, Ilnymen, Lacatiut, Loiujuionii Libayto, 
Locnoma, Afayacma, Mnticoimo, Malacu, Na- 
pato, Oleomi, Putto, Polnomanoc, Pacjue, Peta- 
luina, Suisun, Satayonii, Soneto, Tolen, 
Tlayacma, Tamal, Tojiayto, L'lulato, Zadow and 
Utinonianoe. 

But tlie heathen thus gathered in evidentlv 
took the wide range between Toniales, Afarin 
County, and Canjiiiiicz Straits. There were 
uniniBtakably tribes bearing the; following 



names: The Petalmnas, occupying the country 
north of San Pablo Pay and contiguous to 
the Petaluma Creek. This is evidenced by the 
record of the expedition of I'adre Altiniira. in 
which mention is made that their first encamp- 
ment in Petahinia Valley was with some Peta- 
luma Indians who were hiding from their 
enemies, the Cainemeros Indians of the now 
Santa Rosa I'e^-ond the Cainemeros of Santa 
Rosa were the Soteomelos, or Yapos (braves), 
who occupied the Russian River country from 
the neigliborliood of the present Healdsburg 
northward to Cloverdale. That this was a pow- 
erful and aggressive tribe is evidenced by tJie 
fact that they overcame and slaughtered a large 
number of the Cainemeros, whose wrongs were 
avenged by the assistance of Salvador Vallejo 
and his troops in battle np in the (Peyser 
Mountains, as appears in another chapter. Thus 
it would seem that the centi'al valleys of the 
County from Petaluma northward was occupied 
by three distinct tribes of Indians: the Peta- 
lumas, the Cainemeros and the Soteomelos or 
\ apos. 

Wliile every lateral valley, subsidiary to these 
main valleys, in the early days seem to have 
been the center of an Indian rancharie, yet it 
is doubtful if they had separate and distinct. 



HIHTOUY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



i\'i' ti'ilial L'xititoiicu. (icDd'al Vallt'jcj lirst vis- 
itod tliu territory now uuibraced in Sonuiiia 
Coiiiity in 1828, and we liave it direct from his 
li]is, that in every little valley was a rancharie 
ot' Indian?. To use his exact lanonage: ''The 
Indians were swarming every where.'" In refer- 
ence to the possible nnniber of Indians here as 
late as in 1835, the reader is referred to an ad- 
dress of (General Vallejo delivered on the occa- 
sion of the laying of the corner-stone of the 
iK'W court-l'.ouse at Santa llosa in 1884. 

Making due allnwance for exti'avaganee of 
estimate of Indian population in what is now 
embraced in Sonoma County, in 1835, there 
must have been several tiionsand of these dusky 
children of nature here. I>ut the small-pox 
pestilence in 1838 must have made sad havoc 
among them, for never since American occu- 
]taney could they have mustered 1,000 all 
told. In 185-4 the writer traveled afoot and 
alone, with only a small pocket pistol as a 
weapon of defense, from Petaluma to a point 
twelve miles above Ilealdsburg, a total distance 
(if over forty miles, and he did not see fifty 
Indians in the whole distance. At that time 
there was (jnite a rancharie at Cioverdale; one 
near Ilealdsburg, another in the neighborhood 
of the lagoonas about Sebastopol and a small 
number of Indians who made a precarious living 
by hunting around Smith's Ranch and Hodega 
r>ay. As hiW. as 1854 "55 there was finite a 
rancharie of Indians at Toinales !!ay. Marin 
(Jounty; and a very small lancharie in the 
edge of Marin Countv, about tive miles distant 
from Petaluma. The last Indians we find any 
trace of as living apart by themseKcs in a 
rancharie, in the neiglibiji-lidod ot' Petaluma, 
was on what is now known as tlie l'"i-('il Starkie 
place, about two miles nm-tb nf that citv. At 
the present wi'iting tbci-e is mil to exceed 100 
Indians left in the county. Most of these are 
hovering, like the last shadows of their race, 
around Ilealdsburg and Cioverdale, eking out 
a miserable existence as the servitors of the race 
that has supplanted then). 

Tlie Indians of this regic>n are very ^imilal• in 



stature, complexion, and habits of life to those 
of other portions of California. They arc very 
thick in the che.st, and have voices of wonderful 
strength. The children are clumsy, and heavy 
set. The women are very wide in the shoulders 
and hips, and strongly built. Men and women 
are large in the body, and slim in the legs and 
arms, as compared with Caucasians. They are 
physically and intellectually inferior to their 
relatives in Nevada Territory, and far inferior 
to the Indians who dwelt during the last cen- 
tury east of the Mississippi River. They are of 
a very dark com])!exion, and their hair always 
black, is coarse to the verge of that of a horse's 
mane. The women (niohalas) cut their hair 
straight across the forehead just above the eye- 
brows, inueh as their Caucasian sisters do for 
" bangs." In their native state the-se Indians 
were far from models of neatness or cleanliness; 
bTit now that most of them wear modern gar- 
ments and often seek labor on ranches, they 
have in a measure ahjured their former filthy 
habits. Their rancharie habitations were of the 
rudest and cheapest possible construction. The 
indispensable sweat-house, however, was a sort 
of joint-stock structure, and as it generally con- 
sisted of an excavation in the ground, with a 
surface structure made tight by baid<ing up the 
earth arouml it, its construction cost some 
labor. 

Their food was composed chiefly of acorns, 
clover-grass, grass-seeds, grasshoppers, hr)rse- 
chestnuts. fish, game, ])ine-nuts, edible roots, 
and berries. The acorns are large, abundant, 
and some (jf them not unpleasant to the taste, 
but they do not cimtain mncb nutriment as 
compared with an ei|ual imlk of those articles 
conininnly used bir loixl by the Caucasian race. 
The aci.i-iis were gathered by tli(' scjuaws, and 
preserved in various methods. The m(;st coiri- 
mon plan was to build a basket with twigs and 
rushes in an oak-tree, and keep the acorns there. 
The ac(jrns were ])repared for eating by grind- 
ing them and hoiling them ^ith watci- into a 
thick paste, or by baking them in bread, 'i'lin 
oven was a hojc in the ground about eighteen 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



inches cubic. Ked liot stones were ])laci'd at the 
liottdui of the liole, a little dry sand ur loam 
llitdwii over them, and next came a layer of dry 
leaves. The dough or jwste was poured into 
the hole until it was two inches or three inches 
d<'e[). Then came anotiier layer of leaves, more 
sand, red-hot stones, and finally dirt. At the 
end of five or six hours the oven had cooled 
down, and the bread was taken out, an irregular 
mass nearly black in color, not at all handsome 
to the eye or agreeable to the jialate, and mixed 
through with leaves and dirt. l''or grinding 
the acoi'us a stone mortar was used. This mor- 
tar was sometimes nearly Hat, with a iiollow not 
more than two inches deep; and occasionally 
one will be seen fifteen inches deep, anil not 
more than three inches thick in any part of it. 
The pestle was of stone, round, ten inches long 
and three thick. 

llorsechestnuts were usually made into a gruel 
or soup. After being ground in the mortar, 
they were mi.xed with water in a waterproof 
basket, into which redhot stones were thrown, 
and thus the soup was cooked. As the stones 
when taken from the fire had dirt and ashes ad- 
liering to them, the soup was not clean, and it 
often set the teeth on edge. 

(-irass-seeds were ground in the moi'tar and 
I'oasted or made into soup. 

Grasshoppers were roasted, and eaten without 
further preparation, or mashed U]) with berries. 

Fish and meat were broiled on the coals. 
The intestines and l)lood wei-c eaten as well as 
the muscle. 

Clover and grass were eaten i-aw. The In- 
dians would go out into the clover patches, pull 
up the clover with their hands, and eat stalks, 
leaves, and flowers. They considered clover a 
great blessing, and got fat on it. The [)ine- 
nnts, edible roots, and ben-ies were eaten raw. 
Bugs, lizards, and snakes were all considered 
good for food. In those places where the tnles 
grow, the roots of those rashes were eaten. 

They used very few tools. The bow was the 
only weapon for killing quadrupeds. It was 
tixidn of a v«ddish wood, and on th« Itack the 



bow was strengthened by a covering of deer's 
sinews, which gave to it greater strength and 
elasticity. Salmon were killed with stones and 
clubs in shallow water, and were caught with 
spears. Their most ingenious spear had a head 
of bone about one inch and a half long anil 
sharp at both ends. To the middle was fastened 
a string, which was attached to the spear-sliaft. 
One end of the head tit into a socket at the end 
of the spear-shaft. When the spear was thrown 
the head came out of the socket and turned 
cross-ways in the fish, and then there was no 
danger that it would tear out. The Indians 
rarely hunted the grizzly bear." .VIong the 
ocean Ijeach they got barnacles. Their method 
of catching grasshoppers was to dig a hole sev- 
eral feet deep, in a valley where this species of 
game abounded. A large number of the In- 
dians then armed themselves with bushes, and 
commenced at a distance to drive the grasshop- 
pers from all sides toward the hole, into which 
the insects finally fell, and from which they 
could not escape. The pine-nuts were sought 
at the tops of the pine-trees, whicli the "bucks'' 
ascend by holding to the rough bark with their 
hands, and pressing out with their legs, so that 
they do not touch the body to the trunk of the 
tree in going u[). Is is more like walking then 
climbing. 

The bow and arrow, the spear, the net, the 
obsidian knife, the mortar, and the basket were 
the only tools made by the Indians. The obsi- 
dian knife was merely a piece of obsidian as 
large as a hand and sharp on one side. The 
baskets wei-e all made of wire-grass, a grass 
with a round jointless stem, about a sixteenth 
of an inch thick and a foot long. The basket- 
work made with this wire-grass resembled the 
te.xture of a coarse Panama hat, and was water- 
proof. All the basket-work of the Californian 
Indians was made of this material. Tlie most 
common shape for the basket was a perpendicu- 
lar half of a cone, three feet long and eighteen 
inches wide, open at the top. The basket, car- 
ried on the back of the squaws, was used for 
carrying food, miscellaneous articleg, and chil- 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



dren. This outline of tlie lives and habits of 
the aborigine nice that once held undisputed 
sway in Sonoma County will be of interest to 
future generations. 

Only a few months ago the writer visited the 
ranch of Mr. John Walker, near Sebastopol, 
where is now the last rancheria of Indians south 
yf Healdsburg. Fifteen Indians, all told, now 
constitute the tribe. Mr. Walker, who speaks 
Spanish, and Jose Viquero, the head Indian, a 
chief who speaks very good English, accom- 
panied us and did the interpreting. Our mis- 
sion was to interview an Indian named Caski- 
bel, wlio is now supposed to be 100 years old. 
Mr. Walker has known him forty years, and has 
no doul)t al)ont his being- a centenarian. Cas- 
kibel has been stone blind for twenty years. 
He was sitting tlat on the ground busily remov- 
ing the hulls from acorns, his native and favor- 
ite food. It was Sunday morning, and as we 
took a seat with note-book in hand to jot down 
such information as might be elicited from Cas- 
kibel, every nieml)er of the tribe stood by, ap- 
parently interested spectators. From him we 
gathered the following information about the 
long past: When the Americans catne to Cali- 
fornia, the chief of his tribe was named Francis- 
co, and the Chief of the Russian River Indians 
was named Ocata. In those days creeks, rivers 
and mountain ranges marked the boundaries be- 
tween Indian tribes. It was nut permissible 
for the Indians of one tribe to enter upon the 
territory of another tribe to hunt or lish, with- 
out permission. The tribes, so far as Caskibel 
knew, spoke the same language — that is, they 
could make eacli other readily understood. Tlie 
different tribes had (jccasional wars. It was a 
common thing for Indians of different tribes to 
inter-marry. Tattooing was practiced. This 
was tlonc witli jnilverized charcoal made trom 
willow wood. They only had knives made ot 
obsidian, and for killing small game they used 
bows and arrows. The most common way of 



capturing elk, deer and antelope was by means 
of snares. We questioned Caskibel particular- 
ly in reference to the pestilence that swept away 
the Indians. He could not give the year, but 
said that it was long ago, and the Indians of his 
tribe for a long time died to the number of from 
ten to twenty a day. In some tribes nearly all 
died. He describes the Indians as having been 
very numerous previous to that pestilence, 
which he said was small-pox. 

Jose Viquero, through whom we elicited this 
information from the aged Caskibel, must 
be sixty years Old himself, but he seems to be 
in full vigor of middle age. He informed us 
that he was at Sonoma when it was captured by 
the Americans, and that he received from Fre- 
mont a pass which allowed him to go and come 
as lie chose. Mr. Walker stated that Viquero 
was virtually the chief of all the Indians now- 
left in Sonoma County. He also gave informa- 
tion as to a custom prevalent among the Indians 
when he came to the county over forty years 
ago. In the fall, after having gathered in store 
their winter's supply of acorns and other food, 
each rancheria gave what might be termed a 
harvest feast, inviting to it the Indians of neigh- 
boring rancharies. On such occasions a large 
fire was built, and when everything was ready 
for the feast, but befoi-e anyone partook of food, 
the eliief, together with the aged men and 
squaws, marched in procession around this fire, 
each casting into it handfuls of acorns, grass seed, 
and in fact, some of each and all kinds of the 
provisions that had been laid in store. From 
whence came this custom of a burnt-offering 
among these untutored children of nature? 

It was not without a feeling of sadness that 
we turned away from that little group — the last 
remnant of a race soon to become extinct. 
They arc rapidly melting away, and their rude- 
ly fashioned stone mortars and pestels will be 
the only material evidence that generations ot 
the future will have that they ever existed at all. 



214 



UlUTOliY OF aoNOMA COUNT i'. 



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GENERAL HISTORY TO A CONCLUSION. -^ 



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CHAl'TER XXVI. 

FkoM 1870 o.NWAKI) Tilt; SUITIIIJUN- ( I untied Ol'EXEI) TO S^ETTLKMKNT ITS EFFECT — SoNOMA TRUS- 

I'KKS WlTllnlT A CUAN'tUi I.N HER INDLSTUIES — UKAIN AM) l>i>TATOES XUT (iKOW.N S^i i EAK(.Er.Y 

Si'Ol K, IIAV AND FKUIT GROWING -RAILROADS SIIMl LATE THE I.lMIiER BUSINESS STATISTICAL ANU 

OTHERWISE Sonoma CoLNTv's FITUKE, FTI'. 



fN a previous chapter we brought the general 
developments of Sonoma County forward to 
^ 1870. AVe now continue it to the end. 
Elsewhere it has been shown that at that period 
Sonoma County ranked next to the County of 
■San Francisco in number of school children. 
As one among the youngest counties of the 
State she had thus suddenly- come to the very 
front in population and productiveness. We 
hazzard nothing in saying that up to 1870 
Sonoma County liad been productive of more 
wealth to the State in the shape of cereals, pota- 
toes, butter and cheese tiian the three counties 
of Los Angeles, San I'ernardino and San Diego 
combined. This wealth of products gave to her 
land a li.xed value, and hence it was that lands 
came to be valued, even at tliat early day, at 
from $50 to .*!75 an acre, according to its near- 
ness to or remoteness from market. 

.\t tiiat time ]irincipal]y. the whole State 
south of Santa (Jiara County was yet in a com- 
parative state of nature. .Vround town.s an<l 
old missions were orchards and vineyards, but 
the most of the country was yet an open range 
for bands and herds of Spanish horses and cattle. 
Tlie lands were yet lield in large grants and the 
holders thereof liad little seeming concejition of 
the real value of tlieir broad acres. In the 



years leading up to 1S70, men who had learned 
the real value of laud in Sonoma ami adjacent 
counties began to spy out the laiuls of the 
southern portion of the State, and many of 
them secured large tracts at prices varying from 
%1 to %'b per acre. In the space of a very few- 
years the wlude southern country from IMonterey 
to San Diego County was an inviting field for 
immigration. The sudden opening up of so 
wide a Held lor occujiancy was most certainly 
not conducive to the material prosperity of 
Sonoma County. The number of former resi- 
dents here who now rank among the wealthy 
and intliieiitia] nion of those southern counties 
attest how imich Sonoma County contributed 
toward building up that jjortion of the State, 
now famous for oranges and "booms." 

But even with all this drain upon her vitality 
and resources '-Old Sonoma" ))ursned the even 
tenor of iier way, making stea<]y and permanent 
progress. Tlie developments in other portions 
of the State ileprived her (jf a monopoly of the 
grain and potato growing industry, lint with 
a facility of expedients rendered easy by her 
wmiderful diversity of soil and climate her peo- 
ple readily adapted themselves to new conditions 
and have largely taken to the channels of new 
indu.stries. 



HISTORY OF SOlflOMA COUNT y. 



I'ruiii Two lluck \ iillty to IJodujfu, once 
almost a continuous i^rain aiul potato field, the 
c'onnttT, almost entire, is now devoted to dairy- 
ing and stock-raising. Tiiis is now a good pay- 
ing industry, and will so continue, as the rapid 
settling of the southern portion of the State 
insures a never failing market. In the southern 
end of the county grain has largely given place 
to the growing of hay, that is a ci'op easily 
handled, and that finds a never failing market 
in San Franci.sco and at remunerative prices. 

The upper valleys of the central portion of 
the county are being largely devoted to grape 
and fruit growing. The most marked develop- 
ments in this direction is noticeable from Santa 
Jiosa northward to Cloverdale. That region be- 
gins to assume the appearance of what the 
whole county ought to present — that is, small 
holdings with cheerful home surroundings. 

The completion of the Northern Pacific liail- 
road in 1872 to Cloverdale, had much to do 
with changing the currents of old-time habits 
and customs of the people, and the hinging of 
life-conditions into nearer harmony with the 
great metropolitan center to which they were 
brought so near by rapid communication. And 
this was soon supplemented by the building of 
the Coast Narrow (Tauge Railroad, that entered 
Sonoma County at ^'alley Ford, and after rest- 
ing for a time at Duncan's Mills, again pushed 
forward to Cazadero, in the very heart of forest 
wilds. The building of these roads for a time 
may have proved damaging to the few, but to 
the great mass of Sonoma County's citizens they 
but heralded the dawn of a yet more prosperous 
future. The e.xtensions of the Donahue line to 
Sonoma, and thence to Glen Ellen, as also the 
building of the recently constructed road be- 
tween Santa Rosa and Napa Junction, are addi- 
tional avenues of commerce and travel of incal- 
culable value to the county. With one or two 
branch roads to meet the requirements of that 
fertile belt of country interme<liate between the 
San Francisco and North Pacific and the Coast 
Line Narrow Cauge railroads, the whole of 
Sonoma County will be brought into close rela- 



tionship Willi the very center of wealth and 
commerce on the Pacific coast. 

We cannot better emphasize the progress 
made in the development of Sonoma County 
than by giving the following extract from an 
opening address delivered before the agricultural 
society at retaluma in 186U by Hon. George 
Pearce, who came to California with General 
Phil. Kearney in 1847. Mr. Pearce, taking a 
then retrospective view, says: 

" We meet here to exhibit and compare the 
products of our labor and the soil, and to 
challenge competition with each other and the 
world in both. Some bring for exhibition pro- 
ductions of the vegetable kingdom, others of 
the animal; while others bring productions of 
and improvements in the mechanic arts, the 
handi-work of man, but all come for the same 
purpose, viz.: mutual improvement of each in 
his particular vocation — one in the manufacture 
and improvement of machinery, another in the 
more perfect specimens of the animal king- 
dom, and others still greater varieties and more 
perfe.ct productions of the varied climates and 
soils with which the peojile of this region are 
blessed. 

" Hut a few short years ago little else than 
the antelojie, the elk, the deer, the droves of 
mustangs, the herds of wild, inferior cattle, and 
an occasional adol)e habitation, would have at- 
tracted the attention of the stranger travelino' 
through Sonoma at this season of the year. He 
would naturally have inquired how these ani- 
mals subsisted in a region apparently so sterile, 
barren and dry, and liave shaken the dust from 
his feet, and left this region, impressed with 
the belief that it was unfit for the habitation 
of an energetic and enterprising stock-grower, 
much less mechanics or agriculturists. 

" The speaker visited this region very little 
in advance of the periotl indicated by the fore- 
going remarks, and well remembers the first 
impressions made on his mind by the then gen- 
eral appearance of the country, and although he 
here pitched his tent and has remained ever 
since, no small fortune would then have induced 



216 



liisronr of sonoma couNty. 



his cunsent to do so. 13iit as time passed aloug 
lie witnessed first the experiments, tlien the 
successes, and afterward the almost miraculous 
improvement in the animal and vegetable king- 
doms, and still later, the wonderful progress 
and development in agricultural and the me- 
chanic arts. He could, therefore, speak of them 
both from observation and some slight practical 
experience. But it would consume too much 
time and weary your patience to give a detailed 
history of tliese things; let it snfKce to note 
some of the singular changes wrought by the 
progress and development referred to. Then 
we usually went to tlie valleys of the Sacra- 
mento and its tributaries on the mustang: to 
San Francisco on what was commonly called a 
launch, taking generally from two to four days 
in crossing the bay; and as long as we pleased 
in going to Sacramento, but nearly always 
giving the mustang his natural gait — a lope or 
a gallop. AVe generally carried our bed with us, 
and slept wherever dai'kness overtook us. Every 
one carried a jiistol and knife — indeed it was 
considered a crime to go without them. Now 
we go to San Francisco in four hours, on steam- 
boats; to Sacramento in ten hours, on steam- 
boats and railroads; we iind no necessity for 
taking a bed, or even sleeping on the journey, 
and we punish men for carrying knives and 
pistols. Then it was considered impossible to 
cultivate the soil without irrigation; now it is 
well known to be quite injurious to irrigate. 

"The great valleys of this region were then 
thought to be adapted to and lit for grazing 
purposes only, except as they could be irrigated; 
and now they are devoted almost exclusively to 
agriculture, and without a thought of irrigation. 
The mountains and hills then believed to be 
barren waste are now known to be the best 
grazing lands, and in some instances even for 
agricultural purposes. Then iifty, or at most, 
$100,000, would have purchased all the landed 
estates of piivate individuals within what is now 
known as the County of Sonoma. Now a single 
vineyard on the mountain side will almost, if 
nut i|uite, command iIkiI sum. Tlicii the entire 



taxable property in her liorders wotiid, perhaps, 
have reached !f<200,000; now it reaches about 
18,000,000. 

" Wild grasses covered her plains and valleys 
then, now corn, wheat, oats, barley and rye. 
Extensive orchards abound in almost every sec- 
tion, and vineyards have taken the place of the 
barren patch; the corral has been supplanted 
by the commodious stable and barn; the rude 
adobe habitations by handsome, comfortable, 
and, in many instances, almost palatial brick, 
wooden and stone edilices, beautilied and 
adorned with all the improvements in modern 
architecture and mechanic arts. 

" Sonoma Valley, ' the valley of the moon,' 
from which this county takes its name, forms 
but a small though important portion of the 
region now called Sonoma County. Sonoma 
proper is where ' Old Pap Merritt,' as he was 
familiarly called, Mcintosh, Cooper, Nicholas 
Carriger, Brockman, Griffith, and others, first 
picked their flints for the contest which ended 
in the acquisition of this State, and gave birth 
and rise in a very great degree to the progress, 
improvement and development which ensued. 

"Old Sonoma! her memory is dear to me I 
May she and heir many noble citizens be long 
and abundantly blessed." 

Such was the languageof lion. George Pcarce 
in 1869, reminiscent of the then psist, and yet 
he has lived to see the day when he can step 
aboard of cushioned cars and reach San Francisco 
in two hours from Petaluma, or in less than 
two hours and-a-half from Santa Rosa, and 
when the assessed value of the property of 
Sonoma County, instead of being !?8,000,000. 
has reached the sum of $80,121,898. 

With the exception of the phihixera that 
proved destructive to the old vineyards of Sonoma 
Valley, frcan the year 1870 down, the entire 
County of Sonoma has made slow but sure pro- 
gress in material prosperity. For a long series 
of years she had but little market for her.sujier- 
abundance of fruit. As h consequence much 
fruit went to waste, and orchards were uiioared 
foi' and neglected. Tiie discovery I'f the process 



H/.STOnr OF SONOMA VOUNTY. 



of fruit cauuiug, howe\er, lias worked a eoiii- 
plete revolution in the matter of fruit-growing. 
Old oi'chards have been pruned and cultivated, 
and new orchards are being planted on every 
hand. This is now coining to the front as one 
of Sonoma County's most enduring industries. 
Here, without any irrigation whatever, all kinds 
of deciduous trees grow luxiiriaiitij. So, too, 
with grape-vines. And in many portions of 
the county even semi-tropical fruits grow in a 
high state of perfection. 

The following, compiled from the assessor's 
reports for 1887-88, will give the reader an 
accurate estimate of the present and future of 
Sonoma Count}': 

The cultivation of wheat has decreased con- 
siderably, having fallen in the interval between 
1870 and 1887 from 45,000 acres to 21,785 
acres according to the assessor's report, or a de- 
crease of over 50 [)er cent. The yield, however, 
in 1888, an admittedly dry season, is estimated 
at about 550,000 to 600,000 bushels or only a 
reduction of about 30 per cent. This is prob- 
ably due to the better system of cultivation and 
more general practice of summer fallowing. 
The breadth of land sown to barley in 1887 ac- 
cording to the same official was 22,8fi'J acres 
against 21,213 in 1870; a trifling increase of 
7| per cent, in area, but a iiiiich larger one in 
yield, the crop being estimated at 762,450 
l)usliels against 424,200 eleven years before. 
Oats are not much grown in Sonoma, e.xcept on 
the coast and the acreage accordinjc to the asses- 
sor in 1887 was only 4,6U5 acres. Hay had 
increased from 47,744 acres to 80,561. In 
1887 the assessor reported seventy-two thorough- 
bred horses and 364 graded horses and all other 
kinds 7,624. To any one who has seen the ex- 
hibits of stock at the Sonoma and Marin Agri- 
cultural Fairs and been much in the streets of 
the towns and visited farms where breeding is 
not made a specialty, it seems absurd to put 
down the number of graded horses at 364, but 
if farmers have a grailed horse or two they are 
not likely to boast of it to the assessor. Mules 
were set down at 386. 



Thoroughbred cows were repoited at eighty, 
a ridiculously small number considering the 
many herds of Jersey, Holstein and short-horns 
there are in Sonoma, but we suppose only those 
whose owners had had them registered in the 
herd-books were mentioneil as thoroughbreds. 
American cows were reported 18,21!t; stock 
cattle at 3,066; beef cattle at 430; calves at 
1,730; hogs at 15,450; Cashmere and Angora 
goats 250 ; slieeji, including 1,935 graded, 
150,710 head, and lambs 12,460. 

The assessor reports 656,657 fruit trees; this 
at eighty trees to the acre would only give 
about 8,208 acres which was probably much 
below the facts at that time and hardly two- 
thirds of what it now is, with the new trees 
that have since been planted. Luther Eurbank. 
a well versed and reliable nursery man of Santa 
Rosa, after a careful estimate of the fruit and 
n«t trees planted in 1887, says the following 
statement is a fair and close approximate of the 
number and ditierent varieties of trees planted 
in Sonoma County: ( )lives, 20,000 trees; apples, 
12,000; pe^trs, 30,000; plums, 6,000; prunes, 
15,000; cherries, 6,000; apricots, 4,000; peaches, 
25,000; nuts, mostly walnuts and chestnuts, 
15.060. 

These figures do not include old orchards, 
most prominent among which is Warren But- 
ton's prune orchard of 20,000 trees — the largest 
in the world — situated near Santa Rosa. 

The Italian-Swiss colony near Heaklsburg 
has also a very extensive orchard. Prune trees 
were in such demand last year that the supply 
failed or the acreage would have been greatly 
increased and the demand this spring has not 
fallen off but rather enlarged. 

The assessment roll showed in 1887 21,683 
acres set out in vines. Viticulturists estimate 
that the planting of vines last season exceeded 
anything in the history of the county, being not 
less than 8,000 acres. This would bring the 
acreage in vines up to 29,683 acres. As asses- 
sors' figures are generally below rather than 
above the facts, it is not stretching figures to 
estimate the total number of acres at 35,000, 



218 



HI STORY OP SONOMA COVNTV. 



iiicludiiig table grapes and non-bearing first and 
second year vines from cuttings or rooted plants. 

The assessor's report shows the production of 
wine in 1886 Ity districts, was as follows: 
Cloverdale, 200,000 gallons; Geyserville, 150,- 
000; Ilealdsburg, 200,000; Windsor, 150,000; 
Fulton, 40,000; Santa Rosa, 500,000; Fountain 
Grove, 80.000; Laguna and Korbell, 100,000; 
Sebastopol, 80,000; Petaluma, 40,000; Glen 
Ellen, 500,090; Los Guilicos, 200,000; Sonoma, 
1.000,000; Bennett Valley, 200,000. Total, 
3,500,000 gallons. 

The State Board of Eijualization makes a 
very moderate estimate in giving the following 
report of the vines in Sonoma County: Table 
and raisin — One year, fifty acres; two years, 
400 acres ; five years, 1,450 ; total, 1,900. 
Wine grapes — One year, 7,000 acres; two 
years, 5,272 acres; three years, 3,640 acres; 
four years, 1,225 acres; five years, 6,046; total, 
23,183; grand total, 25,083. It is, however, as 
the Board admits, the first in respect to the 
area, under wine grapes of any county in the 
State. 

Sonoma County enjoys a perfect imnninity 
from drouths, as the following iiietereological 
report will show: 

In the records of Sonoma County since rain 
guages were established, we find that in 1853- 
'54, 29 inches fell in Santa Rosa, which city 
may be accepted as a central locality that gives 
the mean precipitation, leaving the wooded 
slopes facing the ocean out of consideration. In 
1854-'55, 30 inches fell; in 1855-'56, 25 inches; 
in 1856-'27, 25 inches; in 1857-'58, 23 inches; 
in 1858-'59, 23 inches; in 1859-'G0, 21 inches; 
in 1860-'61,17 inches; in 18Bl-'62, 46 inches; 
in 18()2-'63, 17 inches; in 1863-'64, 12 inches; 
in 1864-'65, '2() inches, and yet the two latter 
seasons were the driest ever known in California, 
and while the crops and grasses were an abso- 
lute failure in the great valleys and in all South- 
ern California, yet in Sonoma, especially in the 
latter year, and as regards other parts of the 
St>ate, driest season ever known, the yield was 
enormous. In the seasons of lS()5-'66. the fall 



was 30 inches ; in 1866-'67, 40 inciics ; in 
1867-'68, 50 inches; in 1868-'69, 26 inches; in 
1869-70, 25 inches; in 1S70-'71, 17 inches; in 
1871-72, 40 inches; in lS72-'73, 21.58 inches; 
in 1873-'74, 29.54 inches; in 1874-'75, 23.30 
inches; in 1875-"7t'), over 32 inches, showing a 
mean annual raintall in the twenty-three years 
of which we give a record, of over twenty-seven 
inches each season, with a maximum of fifty 
inches from autumn to spring, and a minimum 
of twelve inches. It has been truly said of 
Sonoma, that no crop ever failed for want ot 
moisture. Corn is planted on the rich bottom 
lands in April, and though often it does not re- 
ceive one drop of rain after it appears above the 
ground, yields from eighty to 100 bushels to the 
acre. 

Ilavinw siven a record of the rainfall for the 
twenty-three years beginning in the season ot 
1853-'54, and ending with that of 1875-76, 
according to observations made in Santa Rosa, 
we will now give the record for the succeeding 
period of ten years, from 1876-'77 to 1885-'86, 
as observed at Petaluma, 'oy Major James Sing- 
ley, at the office of the San Francisco & >sortb 
Pacific Railroad Co. In the season of 1876- 
'77, 13.15 inches fell; in the season of 1877-'78, 
39.24 inches; in the season of 1878 -'79, 20.83 
inches; in the season of 1879-'80, 26.83 inches, 
in 1880-81, 24.55 inches; in 1881-82, 17.04 
inches; in 1882-83, 19.15 inches; in 1883-'84, 
24.55 inches; in 1884-'85, 14.96 inches, and in 
1885-'86, 28.89 inches. In the ten rainy sea- 
sons, ending June 30, 1886, the average rainfall 
was 23.14 inches in the southern or Petulaina 
end of the great valley. 

While the above relates mainly to the annual 
direct products of her soil, Sonoma County has 
a wealth in her forests and mines, the accumu- 
lation of the ages. Previous to 1870, her lum- 
ber and timber industries were largely confined 
to her belt of seaboard, where water transporta- 
tion oflfered facilities for transportation of her 
forest products to market. The building of the 
Northern Pacific and the Coast Line Narrow 
Gauire Railroads cbangeil all this, for they pen- 



ItlsTORT OP SONOMA COUNT f. 



otratcd tliebe fields of wcaltli, ami snoii tlie liiim 
of Imndreds of saws was heard wiiere silence 
had reigned supreme for untold ages. Else- 
where extended mention has heen made of the 
inagnitude of the forests of Sonoma County, 
also the process of manufacturing these giants 
of tlie forest into marketable lumber. Taking 
the wealtli of these forests alone as represented 
bv lumber, railroad ties, posts, pickets, cord- 
woo<l and tanbark, and it is immense, to say 
nothing about the untold wealth of minerals, 
that in time will be exploited from mines of en- 
during richness. The successful operations of 
the Mt. Jackson (Quicksilver Mines in those 
wilds is tangible evidence of the hidden wealth 
locked up in those forest-clad mountains. 

No section of California has acquired such 
fame in producing fine stock as Sonoma County, 
especially superior horses. Wherever you travel 
in California, in fact anywhere on the Coast, if 
you see a very fine animal, and inquire where it 
came from, the answer most likely will lie Peta- 
luma or Santa Rosa. Hordering upon the bay, 
and with a large ocean frontage, with the ex- 
tensive bottom land, and grassy mountain slopes 
and hill sides, together with the regular period- 
icity of rains, nearly all portions of this county 
are celebrated for producing fine horses, cattle 
and sheep. The hilly and lower mountain sec- 
tions of the northern part of the county are the 
wool growing districts. The section bordering 
on the Pacific is noted for dairying, while the 
southern l)ay section for producing fine horses. 
Two hundred and fifty carloads of live stock are 
shipped annually by railroad from this county. 
Sonoma County has been noted from its earliest 
settlement for the amount and superiority of its 
dairy products, which have always brought the 
highest prices in the San Francisco market. 
The annual yield of butter is about 1,500 tons, 
or 3,000,000 ])oun(ls, giving an income of over 
s()00,000. J'etaluma is one of the largest ship- 
ping points in the State, of dairy products. 

In another place reference has been made to 
the basalt rock (juarrics of Sonoma C!ounty. In 
the past ten years the making of liasalt paving 



blocks for the San I'rancisco market has grown 
into a large and lucrative industry. These 
quarries are found near Petaluma, Santa IJosa 
and Sonoma, from Santa Ilosa they are 
shipped by rail to Tiburon, and thence by water 
to San Francisco. I'^rom Petaluma they are 
shipped direct l)y water, several schooners 
being re(juired to do the carrying. FroiTi Sono- 
ma they are shipjied by rail to a point on Peta- 
luma Creek, below Tikeville, and from thence 
by water. From these three points the quanti- 
ty (jf paving blocks shipped annually amounts 
to many thousand carloads. 

The present material wealth of Sonoma Coun- 
ty is best told in the annual report of the State 
Board of Equalization of California for the year 
1888. As is well known, the assessed valuation 
of property is usually gieatly under the real 
value. Sonoma is not an exception to the rule. 
The following figures are taken from the report: 

Yalue of real estate, personal property, money, 
solvents and assessments of railroads, !!;30,121,- 
898, an increase of .«!3,000,000 over last year; 
nnmber of acres sown to wheat, lit.S-iO; oats, 
4,960; barley, 24,950; corn, 29,230; hay, 8(),- 
370; number of growing frnit trees, 940,800; 
number of acres of table grapes. 1,100; wine 
grapes, 22,845 acres; raisin grapes. 350 acres. 

Put while we are thus careful to note the 
growth and material prosperity of Sonoma Coun- 
ty, we are not unmindful of her educational and 
moral advancement. This has kept pace with 
her growth and development. The people with 
no niggard hand have liberally contributed to- 
ward the maintenance of all institutions that 
mai'ch in the van of a higher civilization. On 
every hand churches and scliool houses liave 
multiplied, and now the county can boast of an 
educational system and organizations promotive 
of public morals, second to none in the State. 

That this is true is evidenced by tlie follow- 
ing: 

We are indebted to Mrs. F. McG. ilai'tin, 
County Superintendent of Public Scliools, for 
the following information on matters in lier de- 
partment. 'I'hcre are 128 school districts and 



220 



nifiroUT OF SONOMA COVNTY. 



tlie last census sliowed 8,441 children between 
five and seventeen years of ajre. The value of 
the school huildings is !5;22S,121, exclusive of 
the ^18,000 building going up in Petaluma. 
The number of children enrolled in the public 
schools is 6,'J41t and the average attendance 4,- 
32t). Of high schools there are four, of gram- 
mar schools there are fifty-six, of primary 120. 
There are thirty-one male teachers and 149 
ladies, making a total of 180. The average 
monthly salary of the male teachers is $74.19 
and of the lady teachers is $53.51; 119 districts 
maintain schools eight months and over in the 
year. The county school tax is fourteen cents 
on the $100 assessed value, which yields $42,- 
345.40. The State apportionment is $54,000, 
which makes the total school income for county 
purposes $96,345.40. 

In Santa Ilosa Court House District, there 
are 1,400 children between five and seventeen 
and 4()9 under five years of age. The number 
of enrolled pupils of the public schools is 1,014 
and the average attendance 723. The number 
of pupils attending private schools is 132 and 
the number attending no school is 261. 

In Petaluma there are l,04t) children between 
five anil seventeen years and under five 284. 
The number of scholars enrolled is 848, and the 
average attendance is 621. The number of 
scholars attending private schools is twenty-two. 
The number who have attended no school dur- 
ing the past year is 176. 

In llealdsburg there are 485 children between 
five and seventeen years and 189 under five. 
The number between five and seventeen, who 
have attended school within the year is 400, be- 
sides fifty-two who have attended private 
schools. The number now enrolled in the pub- 
lic schools is 319 with an average attendance ot 
301. Ten white children and three Indians at- 
tended no school. 

In Cloverdale there are 3(')1 childron between 
five and seventeen, of whom 273 are enrolled 
scholars, with an average daily attendance of 
200 schola s. The number of pupils attend- 
ing private schools is twenty-five, and sixty- 



three children attending no school during the 
year. 

" In Sonoma City there are 336 children be- 
tween five and seventeen and under five years 
eighty-six. Tlie rolls show that 140 have at- 
tended within the year and the average attend- 
ance has l)een 118. The number attending pri- 
vate acliools is seventy-one and attending none 
125." 

The following are the names of the school dis- 
tricts of Sonoma County: 

Alder Glen. Alexander, Alpine. American 
Valley, Austin Creek, Bay, Bliss, Bloomtield, 
Bodega, Burns, Burnside, Canfield. Cinnabar, 
Cloverdale. Coleman Valley, Copeland, Court 
House. Creighton Ridge. Davis, Dirigo, Dry 
Creek, Dunbar, Dunham, Eagle, Enterprise, Eu- 
reka, Fisk's Mills, Flowery, Fort lioss, Franz. 
Freestone. Fulton. Creyser Peak, Geyserville. 
Goodman, Grape, Green N'alley, Gaulala, Guil- 
ford, Hall, Hamilton, Harvey. Healdsburg. 
Ilearn, Hill, lloricon, Huichica, Icarir, Inde- 
pendence, Iowa, Jonive, Junction, Knight's 
Valley, La Fayette, Laguna, Lake. Lakeville. 
Laurel Grove, Lewis, Liljerty, Llano, Lone Ked- 
wood, Madrona, jSIanzanita, Mark West, Marin, 
Mayacama, JMeeker, Mendocino, Mill Creek. 
Miriam, Monroe. Mountain, Mountain View, 
Mount Jackson, Mount Vernon. Muniz, Oak 
Grove, Occidental, Ocean, Ocean A'iew, Oriental. 
Payran, Pena, Petaluma. Finer, Pine liidge. 
Pine Mountain. Pleasant Hill, Porter Creek, 
Potter. Iledwood, Ilideidiour, Rincon, Rodgers, 
Rose Hill, Russian River, San Antonio, San 
Luis, Santa Rosa, Scotta, Sheridan, Sonoma, So- 
toyome, Spring Hill, Star, Steuben, Stewart's 
Point, Stony Point, Stra>vberry, Summit, Sum- 
mit Point, Table Mountain, Tarwater, Timber 
Cove, Todd, Two Rock, Vine Hill, Walker, Wal- 
lace. Washington, Watmaugh, Watson, Waugh, 
W^heeler, Wilson, Windsor, Wright. 

There are sixty churches in this county, rep- 
resenting the following religious denominations, 
with the number of organizations of eacli: 
Methodist Episcopal, 13; Methodist Episcopal 
South, 8; German Methodist, 2; Presbyterian, 



BISTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



U, with one mission; Catliolif, (i; ('liristiuii, 7; 
CoiigregationaU 3; Baptist, 8; Episcopal, 8, 
witli two embryo; miscellaneous, fi; total. HO, 
with three einbrjo-missions. 

Tn tlieso chapters we have endeavored to 
t'aitiifiiii}' delineate the progress made by So- 
noma County since it came under American 
occupancy. AVe found it a comparative wild, 
with elk. deer and antelo[ie grazing in perfect 
security on the shores of San Pablo Bay, and 
we leave it with orchards and vineyards sur- 
rounding Cloverdale, a thriving incorporated 
town on her northern border. While we may 
seem to have been boastful of the progress made 
in less than four decades, yet we now east the 
horoscope of the future of Sonoma County, and 
predict that the historian ot her next four 
decades will have the pleasing task of recording 
more remarkal)le strides in growth and material 
prosperity than it has been our privilege to 
record ; for then thousands upon thousands of 
acres of land now used as sheep-walks and cow- 
pastures will be devoted to orchards and vines, 
and a happy, thrifty population will be found 
where now large land holdings present a bar to 
progress and development. The present large 
land-holdings is sim])ly an aftermath of Spanish 
granti*, and as those grants like the Roman 
Empire, fell to pieces of their own weight, so 
too will these accumulations of broad acres be a 
thing of the past within the next generation. 

There is no extravagance in claiming that 
Sonoma County, as a whole, is one of the most 
favored counties in the State. l*'or diversity of 
soul, climate, scenery atul productions, she can 
challenge comparison with almost any territory 
of like scope in the world. This, taken in con- 
nection with her geographical position and 
ready facilities for rapid and cheap communica- 
tions with San Francisco, the great metropolis 
of the Pacific Coast, predestines her to grand 
achievements in the line of population aiul 
wealth. With her southern extremity washed 
by San Pablo Bay and a long stretch of her 
western border laved by the Pacific Ocean, and 
at short intervals coves iind estuaries artbrd- 



ing safe mooring to coasting vessels, it gives a 
facility for cheap transportation which jtrecludcs 
the possibility of her ever lieing forced to pay 
tribute to exacting freight moiuipolies. In con- 
junction with these advantages her geographical 
position places her in a most favored situation 
as relates to rain and moisture. The unerring 
testimony of the weather-guage for a long series 
of years is that Sonoma ('Oiinty represents the 
etjuitable mean betwixt the excessive humidity 
of the northern tier of counties and the tendency 
to periodic droughts of the southern portion of 
the State. Here there is no scanning of the 
heavens with wistful gazeand the watching with 
solicitude every cloud that flecks the sky wearied 
with conjecture as to whether or no seed time 
and harvest will come. AVitli Sonoma County 
there never has lieen and never can be any fear 
of failure of crops on account of drought. There 
mijy be variableness of seasons and light crops 
contradistinction to heavy crops, but a total crop 
failure, never. Many there are in this county 
who, we apprehend, do not themselves fullv 
appreciate the blessings they enjoy in this 
respect. Such have become so accustomed to 
gathering where they have not strewn, and reap- 
ing where they have not tilled, that they have 
come to accept these bounties as a right rather 
than a great and priceless boon to be thankful 
for. As yet our people have been mainly con- 
tent to gather the fat that has spontaneouslv 
exuded from an over generous soil. This skim- 
ming process has had its day and a new condi- 
tion of affairs is slowly but surely obtaining, 
and the adaptability of our soil to an almost 
infinite variety of products of farm, orchard and 
garden, cannot fail to invite a population such 
as will take a(l\antage of all these favorable 
conditions and woo aiul win from the eartli its 
yet reserved treasures. Our twenty-five miles 
of breadth and fifty miles of length of county is 
in itself a principality in point of diversified re- 
sources. While our field for husbandry alone 
is ample to insure, in time, a dense population, 
yet we are possessed of other and inexhaustible 
sources ot' industry and wealth. Our vast red- 



232 



nrsTonr op sonoma cotTNTY. 



wood forests arc iniiies ol' untold wealth, wliicli 
for ages to oome will jrive employinciit to laljor 
and capital. The (quicksilver mines in our 
mountain fastnesses arc deveio])ing into im- 
portance, and their jjroducts are goin<^ forth to 
swell the commerce of tlic world. Lever and 
last have unlocked our vast quarries and tlie 
time is drawing near when a wliole fleet of 
small vessels will be requisite to supply the 
demand of San Francisco for our indispensahle 
pavinir blocks. This industry is in its infancy 
yet ; but that our durable sipiare paving mater- 
ial is destined, in time, to wholly supplant the 
liitherto rough and noise-producing cobble pave- 
ments of San Francisco is fust as certain as that 
the steam thresher has supplanted the tlail on 
the farm. These are only a few of the manj' 
growing industries adjunct to our staple pro- 
ducts of farm and dairy. And in conjunction 
with all this where in the wide world is pre- 
sented in the same scope of territory so varied 
and diversitied a medley of climate and scenery ? 
The fnrnuT embi-aces every deiJree from the 



ciiol and invigorating hcasliore climate to a 
degree of warmth verging upon tropical heat. 
The latter presents a pleasing panorama, enibrac- 
ing every shade of scenery from placid valleys 
mellowed by the golden tints of ripeiungharvests 
to mountain gorges and beetling cliffs where tlie 
murmering of evergreen foi-ests have for untold 
ages been the harp-like accompaniment to the 
music of rippling streams and thunderincr cata- 
racts. For all time to come the mountains of 
Sonoma (njunty will be a favorite place of resort 
for thdsc ill quest of health and ])leasu.-e. In 
her mountain wilds are innumerable mineral 
springs, many of which have already attained 
wide celebrity on account of their health-restor- 
ing properties. Thus in a very brief way we 
have made mention of our country's resources 
and her possible future. "We have seen her first 
third of a century's progress, and feel confident 
tliat she has but just entered upon the threshold 
of a brighter future yet in store for her. We 
leave her resting to the future, for •• the eternal 
years of (iod are hers." 






'^^-^^^^^ 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNT F. 






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3H Jffi i£^SZP-i? FITPPlFSBfgHSIg E S HgJ 



BANa"A Rosa, i 



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CllAlTEIl XXYII. 



ToWNSHH- HIsroKV — -(.KOWTH OF THE CITY BUSINESS INTEKEST^ — AI)DKK>S uF IIuN. G. A. JnHj\>UN 

Cll L'KCIIES SCHOOLS THE PRESS. 



fANTA liOSA Towiislii]) has a wealtli of 
soil and climate that, as yet, is not Cully 
appreciated, and the "City of Roses" has 
a I'uture of greatness and prosperity ahead of it 
which this generation little wots of. In de- 
lineating the history of this township and city 
we have, by permission, drawn largely upon the 
excellent history of it written by Hon. II. A. 
Thompson, who is a long resident of that place, 
and as County Clerk, was in a position to speak 
with great accuracy upon all subjects upon 
which he used his facile pen. 

■'Santa Rosa Township is in the heart (if the 
County of Sonoma. It extends from the sum- 
mit of the high range separating Napa from 
Sonoma County across the great Central Valley 
of Santa Rosa to the Laguna, which is its 
western boundary. On the north it is bounded 
by Knight's Valley and Russian River Town- 
ship, on the south by retahnna, Vallejound So- 
noma 'J'ownships. 

" It has a larger proportion of level than of hill 
land, and a number of beautiful subsidiary val- 
leys tributary to the main valley, all of which 
will hereafter be fully described. 

>' The honor of giving the beautiful name of 
Santa Rosa to this section is due t(j I'athcr 
.Juan .\nior<jso, the foumler of the Mission i)\' 



San Rafael. This zealous priest, on the 8()th 
day of August, 182U, was in this region on a 
proselyting expedition, in company with one 
Jose Cantua. He was driven otf by the hos- 
tiles while in the act of conferring upon a young 
Indian woman the rite ot baptism. The priest 
and his companion took hurriedly to their 
horses, and Hod with all possible speed down 
the valley, escaping their pursuers. It being 
the day on which the church celebrated the 
feast of Santa Rosa de Lima, I-"atlier Amoroso 
named the stream from that circumstance. The 
valley then came to be called after the stream 
--the Valley of Santa Rosa - fortunately one ot 
the most beautiful names, as its original was 
one of the most beautiful eharacters in the 
calendar of American saints. It is related of 
Father .\moroso, who must have had some 
poetry as well as piety in his nature, that he 
named the horse which bore him so swiftly over 
the ])lain, "Centella," meaning lightning in 
the English vernaculai'. All honor to the gal- 
lant friar and his companion Jose, to whose 
courageous spirit we owe the legacy which this 
expedition left us — the name of Santa Rosa. 

" The first settlement was made, and the first 
furrow was turmiil in Santa itosa Township by 
a plucky young Irishman, whose name was 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



John T. Read. He was born in Dublin in 1805. 
He had an uncle wlio was a sea-faring man. 
Young Read left Ireland with hini at the age of 
fifteen years, bound upon a voyage to Mexico. 
He sailed from Acapulco for California, and 
reached this State in 1820, just after he had at- 
tained his majoi-ity. He settled in Sancelito, 
and applied for a grant there, but failed to get 
it on *^he ground that the land was wanted for 
the use of the Government. He was not discour- 
aged, nor was he timid. He came into what is 
now Sonoma County, and made the first settle- 
ment outside the mission at Sonoma. Moreover, 
he was the lirst English-speaking settler in the 
count}', and was the first Irishman who settled 
anywhere in the State. He made application 
in 1827 for a grant of his settlement, which 
was in the vicinity of the residence of Robert 
Crane, but before he could perfect it the In- 
dians drove him off, burning his crop of wheat 
and all of his improvements. He was set back, 
but not disheartened. Soon after this disaster 
he engaged with Padre Quivas as mayor-domo 
of San Rafael. In 1832 he went to reside at 
Saucelito, and sailed a small craft iietween the 
peninsula and San Francisco — the first ferry es- 
tablished on the bay or in the State of California. 

•' Young Read made a second effort to get 
a grant at Saucelito, and failed. He then uni- 
ted himself in marriage with one of the hand- 
some hijasdel 2M>^i and soon after was granted 
the rancho Cort de Madera del Presidio, in 
Marin County. He established himself on his 
ranch, but in 1843, seven years after his mar 
riage, he was taken with a fever, and dieil at the 
age of thirty -eight years. 

''This brief notice is due .^[r. Read, who was 
the very first settler of any nationality in San- 
ta Rosa Township. It is to be regretted that 
lie did not live to enjoy the reward of his per- 
severance, and to have seen the future, of which 
he must sometimee have mused and dreamed in 
his lonely settlement under the shadow of Co- 
tatc Peak. 

•' The next settlement in Santa Rosa Town- 
ship was in the Guillucos Rancho; The next, 



and first permanent settler in the neighliorhood 
of the present town of Santa Rosa, was Senora 
Maria Y'gnacia Lopez de Carrillo. 

''This lady came upon the invitation of 
(jeneral Vallejo, as a colonist from San Diego, 
al)ont the time of the Hijar colonization scheme. 
She reached Sonoma in 1837, resided there onv 
year, and came to Santa Rosa. 

" Senora Carrillo was a woman of more than 
average courage and energy, as is proven be 
her settlement on the frontier, in the midst of 
hostile Indians. She had a large family — five 
boys and seven girls — and she carved for 
them out of the wilderness, but a beautiful 
wilderness it was, a local liabitation and a home. 
That she had good taste and judgment, as well 
as courage and industry, is evidenced by her 
choice of Santa Rosa, when all the valleys of 
this county were open to occupation. The pio- 
neer mother in Santa Rosa died in iN^li, ami 
her estate was divided among her children. All 
of the site of the present city of Santa Rosa 
was included in the boundaries of the grant 
made to Senoi'a Carrilhi. 

•' It is said that at the time of the occupation 
of the valley by Senora Carrillo there were 
3,000 Indians living in the neighborhood of the 
present city. The principal rancheria was on 
the Smith farm, just below the bridge, at the 
crossing of Santa Rosa Creek, on the road lead- 
ing to Sebastopol. Upon this site a mission 
was commenced, probably by Father Amoroso, 
whose zeal in the cause of Christianity kept 
him always on the debatable line between the 
natives and •' la gente de razon,'" as the Cali- 
fornians were called, or called themselves. 

" The Indians rose up and destroyed the in- 
cipient mission buildings about the same time 
that the mission of Sonoma was devastated. 
Tiiere was not one adobe left upon another. 
Julio Carrillo says that when he came, in 1838. 
the uuirks where the buildings stood were plain- 
ly discernable. 

" The chief of the Cainemeros tribe, when 
the first settlement was made in Santa Rosa, 
was called Junipero — his baptiamal name^aft^ 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



er tlie founder of the missions of Alta Cali- 
fornlH. His tribe was munerous and powerful. 
Tliere were many tliousands Indians in the 
county at this time, but they were doomed to 
!-]ieedy destruction, and even tlien were under 
tlie shadow of an approaching pestilence. 

" In the year 1838 a corporal by the name of 
Ygnacio Miramontes contracted the disease of 
small-pox at Ross. It spread to the Indians. 
They fled to their " temescales " or sweat-houses, 
and from thence to a cold bath. Death speedily 
came to the relief of the plague-stricken native. 

''Tliey burned their dead. Julio Carrillo 
says he has often seen the process. They would 
build up a mausoleum of dry wood and twigs, 
lay the body upon it, and cover it over with 
other inflammable material. They would then 
collect around the burning pyre, lacerate their 
flesh, and utter dismal moans as the body slow- 
ly consumed. When the burning was over, 
which took but a short time, they gathered up 
the ashes of the dead and strewed them over the 
ground, and thus returned to the dust, from 
whence it sprung, the ashes of the aborigines, 
who came into possession of the soil with the 
sequoias which shaded the rivei's in which they 
trapped the iridescent trout, and the oaks which 
furnished the acorns upon which they fed. 

"There was nothing of interest connected 
with this section from 1841 to 1840, when, on 
the 14th day of June of that year, the revolt in 
Sonoma began, which was to terminate only 
with the transfer of the sovereignty of the 
whole of Alta California to the United States, 
which, with a rapidity unecjualed in the history 
of the world, had extended her frontier, in flfty 
years, from the Alleghany Mountains to the 
Pacific Ocean." 

Among the earliest farmers in Santa liosa 
Township may be enumerated S. T. Coulter, 
"William, David and Martin Hudson, James 
Xeal, James and Charles Hudspeth, John 
Adams, Itobert Smith, John Ingrew, J. N. Ben- 
nett, the Elliotts, Ben Dewell, Achilles and Joe 
Richardson, Wesley Matthews and Peterson 
Urothersi 



Santa Rosa Township is thus accurately de- 
scribed by li. A. Thompson in his "Township 
History: "' 

" Santa Rosa Township contains an ai-ea 
equal to fifteen miles square, about 13().()00 
acres of land, one-half of which is rich alluvial 
soil, occnpying the center of the groat central 
valley of Sunonia (bounty.. The l)ottoin lands 
are of unsurpassed' fertility, suited to the growth 
of wheat, corn, oats, rye, barley, hops, and 
especially for stone and seed fruit culture. The 
remaining lands in the township may be classed 
as hill, foothill and tributary valley land — the 
latter meaning a number of valleys, of greater 
or less extent, tributary t(j the central valley. 
In each of the smaller valleys there is alluvial 
soil along tlie water courses and volcanic soil in 
the foothills. They are largely devoted to grape 
culture. In these valleys, and upon the sur- 
rounding hill lands, the best of the celebrated 
vineyards of Sonoma County are located. .\o- 
where is the planting of the vine so rapidly in- 
creasing as in this class of lands. 

"The climate is better than in the main \ al- 
ley, which, being lower, catches more frost in 
winter, and is more exposed to the fog and sea 
breeze of summer. For staple crops and hardy 
fruit-, prunes, plums, pears, apples and berries, 
the rich alluvial of the bottom is especially 
adapted. To ubtaiii the delicate flavor of the 
grape, upon which the wine depends, the vol- 
canic soil and more genial climate of the up- 
lands is essential. The two locations combine 
conditions rarely met in the same locality, 
covering a wide range of agricultural pro<luots, 
from the gross feeding hardy staples tu the 
most <lelicate of the fruit and nut trees, includ- 
ing the almond, apricot and the olive. ^ 

'• The valleys tributary to Santa Rosa are the 
Guilioos, liennett, Pleasant, or Chaiiate, Rincoii 
and Elliott. 

"The first of these, the (iuilicos, is on the 
southeasterly fork of Santa Rosa Creek. It is 
one of the most beautiful locations in the State. 
Hood Mountain overlooks it. At the base of 
this peak is the celebrated Guilicus vineyard, 



220 



HISTORY OF SONOMA GOUNTT. 



now tlie property of Mrs. William Iloud. It 
includes 350 acres, and lias long been culcbrated 
for the superiority of its wine and brandy. The 
soil is red in color> and very productive. In 
this section there are a number of vinegrovver.-;, 
Samuel Hutchinson, Henry Bolle, James I^. 
Clark, AV. 15. Atterbury and others. The area 
in grapes is rapidly extending. 

"The stream fiowing from the Guilicos 
northward, unites with the Alamos branch, 
coming into the valley from about due east. 
The united w.iters take the name of Santa Rosa 
Creek, and, soon after, this stream debouches 
on the Santa Rosa plain, across wliich it flows 
in a westerly direction to the Laguna. Before 
reaching the plain, however, Santa Rosa Creek 
cuts across the face of two other valleys of 
considerable e.xtent and importance, the Rincou 
and r>enuett valleys. 

"The 'Alamos' branch of Santa Rosa Creek 
rises in the high hills separating Napa from 
Sonoma County. Mark West Creek, which 
biiunds Santa Rosa Townshij) on the north, 
I'ises in the same crest, flows north and then 
turns across the plain, uniting with the Laguna, 
antl ultimately fimling its outlet, through Rus- 
sian River, to the sea. Sonoma Creek, which 
partly bounds Santa Rosa Township on the 
south, rises on the opposite side of the same 
hills. It flows southwesterly, then almost due 
^iiuth, through Sonoma Valley into the Ray of 
San Francisco. In all these streams trout are 
caught, affording good sport to lovers of the 
rod and reel. 

" Rincon, in the Spanish language, means a 
corner, and Rincou Valley is literally a corner 
in the hills. It is a rich corner, a jiockct, out 
of which a considerable sum of coin is taken 
year after yeai', in agricultural jiroducts. 

"The Rincon lies north of Santa Rosa Creek, 
and is about two miles in width and three and 
a half or four miles in length. Tlie climate is 
mild and the soil is well adapted to gra|>(^ and 
fruit culture. 

" It is becoming quite a favorite location for 
fruit and vine culture. The celebrated Wells 



vineyards are in the hills, at the head of the 
Rincon, one of the very best grape plantations 
in Sonoma County. This vine3'ard was recently 
purchased by Charles Duntz, and contains, old 
and new vines, 145 acres. The total acreage of 
old and new vines in the valley is 527 acres. 

" The Rincon is separated from Santa Rosa 
Valley by a ridge known as Rincon Heights, 
which forms the background of the city of 
Santa Rosa. Guy E. (-Jrosse, Esq., the owner of 
the land, built a grade road over the heights at 
his own private cost. This drive is a great ad- 
dition to the suburban attractions of the city. 
From the summit of the heights, about two 
miles from the city, the view is one of e.xti-aor- 
dinary beauty. The roofs of the taller houses, 
church and college steeples, show up through 
the trees in which the city is embosomed. The 
great plain of Santa Rosa extends north and 
south of the city for a distance of twenty-five 
.miles. Scattered groves of oak grow over the 
plain, giving an artistic finish to the landscape. 
On the west the view is arrested by the Coast 
Range, at whose notched and rock-pinnacled base 
the restless sea leaps and falls back with un- 
ceasing moan. 

" Turning eastward, Bennett, (Tuilicosand liin- 
con valleys, interlaced amid mountains, meet 
the view. The Yulupa, or Bennett Beak, Hood 
ilountain and its twin volcanic sister, on the 
south side of Sonoma Creek, stand up in l>old 
relief, and challenge admiration. If there is 
anything finer than tlie west view from Rincon 
Heights it is the grouping of valley and mount- 
ain, which makes up the landscape on its 
southeasterly side. 

" Bennett Valley is -the largest of the valleys 
tributary to Santa luisa. It has an average 
length of seven miles and is from two and a 
half to three miles in width. It opens out a 
wide frontage on Santa Rosa Creek, the stream 
which flows through the valley, emptying into 
Santa Rosa Creek within the corporate limits of 
the city. This stream is called Matanzas Creek_ 
South of the town, the range which separates 
Bennett from Santa Rosa Valley appears. It is 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



a spur of the main Sonoma Range. Tliis ridge 
is of open land of considerable value; first, be- 
cause tlie soil is good, and next, because it lies 
just within the warm belt and is exempt from 
frost. 

" I'ennett Valley is largely devoted to grape 
culture. In the center of the valley is the vine- 
yard of Mr. De Turk, one of the State Viticult- 
ural Commissioners, and the owner of the 
superbly equipped wine cellar in Santa liosa, 
whicii lias a capacity for the manufacture of 
300,000 gallons of wine. 

" Bennett Valley has about 15,000 acres of 
land, and has a population of 300; there is an- 
nually produced 500 tons of grapes, 5,000 
boxes of apples, 4,000 boxes of other fruit, 
1,450 tons of hay, 25,000 bushels of wheat, 600 
bushels of oats, 15,000 bushels of barley, 400 
horses, 1,000 head of cattle, 4,000 sheep, 2,000 
hogs. 

" Bennett Valley can justly claim the honor 
of having a school and a school-house among 
the first, if not the very first, in the township. 
It was called Santa Rosa District, took prece- 
dence in the name, and forced the district in 
Santa Rosa, which was organized afterward, to 
adopt the not very happy name of court-house 
district. This school was first taught in an old 
building on the Glen Cook place. David Ogan 
was the teacher, and received a salary of .^100 
a month. In the fall of 1853 a good building 
was put up near the bridge. When it was built 
there were just thirteen contributoi's to it 
there was no school fund out of which to Iniild 
school-houses in those days. Thirty children 
attended the school. 

" Alpine Valley is distant aliout six miles 
from Santa Rosa. It is reached by a road from 
the Rincon, over a low divide, wliich separates 
the two valleys. It is not large, Init has a con- 
siderable stock interest, and some vineyards. 

" Elliott Valley, on Porter (^reek, a branch of 
Mark West, lies east of the Mark West Springs, 
and about nine miles from Santa Rosa. This is 
a small but fertile valley, inliabited by a number 
of eiiterprising farmers, among whom may be 



mentioned M. W. Tarwater and W. J. Arnold 
This valley has no especial name, and might 
most appropriately be called Elliott Valley. 

•' W. I>. Elliott, the discoverer of Geyser 
Springs, and a daring hunter and pioneer, re- 
sided at this place in 1846, when the bear fiag 
war began. He related to me, just prior to his 
death, the particulars of his residence there and 
his discovery of the Geyser Springs. 

"Considerable farming is done in this valley, 
and there is an increasing fruit and grape inter- 
est. The hills surrounding Elliott Valley are 
covered with a soil having very marked charac- 
teristics, and it would not be surprising if the 
grapes from this section should produce a wine 
of great excellence. Not far from here, n])on 
like soil, the Schramm vineyard, which pro- 
duces the celebrated Schramm berger wine, is 
situated. It is possible that the Elliott Valley 
wine may prove of equal value. 

"There is a small valley near Santa Rosa in 
which the County Farm is located, known as 
Pleasant Valley. It is largely devoted to grape 
culture. This valley is principally noted for 
being the scene of the assassination of the Bear 
Flag party by the Californians. There is a large 
grape interest just north of Santa Rosa, in the 
foothills, bordering the Santa Rosa plain on the 
east, extending to Mark West Creek. Follow- 
ing are the principal grape-growers and the 
number of acres set out: T. L. Harris, Fount- 
aingrove farm, 380 acres, one of the largest 
vineyards in the county; II. P. Holmes, ninety 
acres; H. II. Harris, thirty; J. Stewart, fifty; 
R. Forsythe, twenty-five; W. J. Breitlauch. 
twenty-five; M. Maillard, forty. Total acreage 
in that district, 640 acres. 

"The country we have described is the back- 
ground of Santa Rosa. The principal agricult- 
ural wealth of the township is in the level 
plain extending west of the town to Sebastopol, 
for about eight miles, and north and south foi' 
a greater distance. This laud is principally 
deep alluvial soil, which in the season of 1882 
produced in the main fifty bushels of wheat to 
the acre. That was an extra good wheat year; 



338 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



but it will average thirty bushels one season 
with another. This land, which has heretofore 
been largely devoted to the growth of wiieat and 
otiier staple crops, is now being snl>divide<l into 
small tracts, and is now, or will be, set to fruit, 
to the growth of which it seems to be especially 
adapted. It will produce any crop reijuiring a 
strong soil. Grapes and some fruits make too 
much wood, but for pears, prunes, and other 
fruits, it cannot be surpassed." 

Santa Rosa, designated as the " City of 
Roses,"' is well entitled to the appellation, for 
it certainly ranks next to San Jose and Santa 
(^lara as a Sylvan retreat. It has an energetic, 
wide-awake population wlio know that their 
lives have been cast in a pleasant place, and 
they are willing to have others come and enfoy 
it with them. 

It was founded in iSoS and became the 
county-seat of Sonoma County in 1854:. The 
first house built in the town of Santa Rosa was 
built by John Bailiff for Julio Carrillo. A 
town had already been started at wliat is now 
the junction of the Sonoma, Bodegar & Russian 
River roads, called Franklin Town, and some 
business houses started there; but this town was 
drawn into the vorte.\ of Santa Rosa, and its 
projectors Ijecame active participants in found- 
ing a fcity that has made marvelous progress 
According to R. A. Thompson's Township Ills-' 
tory among the very tirst residents of Santa 
Rosa were Obe Rippeto, Jim Williamson, J. M. 
Case, John Ingram, Dr. Boyce, the late William 
Ross, Judge Temple, W. B. Atterbur}', S. G. 
and J. P. Clark, and Charles W. Wliite. 

ilr. Ilahman sold out his business to B. 
Goldfish. He was joined by Morris and Henry 
A¥ise, under the firm name of Wise & Goldfish. 
Mr. William Wilson bought into tiie firm witliin 
the past few years, and it is now Goldfish, Wil- 
son & Co., the oldest established business in 
Santa Rosa. 

Judge Jackson Temple and the late Colonel 
William Ross came to Santa Rosa with the 
county seat. The late William Williamson, of 
the Samoan Islands, tauglit the first school in 



the old Masonic Hall. Donald McDonald was 

postmaster at the " Old Adobe." He Was suc- 
ceeded l)y F. G. Ilahman, who first servc^d as Post- 
master in tlic city of Santa Rosa. Barney Iloen 
was the agent of Adams iV Co.'s Express; J. 
W. Ball built a small house, II. Beaver, a black- 
smith shop, C. C. More, a house and wagon 
shop, W. S. Burch, a saddle-tree factory. The 
old Masonic Lodge Hall was the first public 
building in the town. 

Among the very first merchants in Santa 
Rosa were B. Marks, now of Ukiah, and his part- 
ner, M. Rosenberg, still residing here. 

Mr. Iloen sold out his business to G. ^'. 
Miller, who was an original character, but very 
popular. He was succeeded in business by the 
late Dr. John Henley. 

The growth of Santa Rosa was slow but 
steady for about fifteen years, when it suddenly 
went forward with amazing rapidity — doubling 
its population in the decade between 1860 and 
1870; and from that time onward its progress 
has been steady and substantial. In 1867 Santa 
Rosa was incorporated as a city with the follow- 
ing officers: C. W. Langdon, J. F. Boyce, T. B. 
Hood, B. Marks, A. P. Petit, Trustees; E. T. 
Turner, Treasurer; H. E. Parks, Marshal; J. 
H. Richardson, Assessor. 

In 1869 Santa Rosa secured the location there 
of the Pacific Methodist College that had lon^ 
been conducted at Yacaville, Solano County. 
This naturally attracted to the place many fami- 
lies on account of the educational advantages 
offered. 

In 1870 the o^s^orthern Pacific Railroad was 
completed to Santa Rosa and it seemed to give 
to it an impetus that lasted for years, and what 
had been a modest village of the plains l)egan to 
take on the form of a wide-awake bustling city. 

The completion of the Santa Rosa »fc Carqui- 
nez Railroad to that place in 1887 has made it 
a fixed finality that Santa Rosa is to grow into 
the magnitude of one of the most populous in- 
land cities in the State. It has made marvelous 
strides in the last decade, aiul will round u{) 
the century with a showing of progress such as 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



is seldom seen exliibitcd by a city of its age. 
Alrea<ly it presents a sliowinji of iron front 
Imildings, paved streets and patent stone side- 
walks tliat gives to it quite a metropolitan 
appearance. Its street railroads are great con- 
veniences, and are great aids in attracting a de- 
sirable class of residents to the place. It is a 
veritable " City of Roses," an<l to its enterpris- 
ing people are to be congratulated, for most 
assuredly " their lives have fallen in pleasant 
places." 

Santa llosa has fostered and built up a large 
number of manufacturing industries. Every 
line of mechanical' art is well represented. These 
industries are so varied and numerous as to pre- 
clude description and speciticatiou of each. So, 
too, every line of general business is fully repre- 
sented, and conducted on a scale worthy of that 
prosperous and growing city. 

We note a few of the most important institu- 
tions of that city: 

Santa Rosa Bank.- -The. oldest bankinghouse 
in the city of Santa Rosa was incorporated 
August 20, 1870, and opened its doors for busi- 
ness November 21st of that year with a capital 
stock of $100,000. Owing to the rapid develop- 
ment of tlie country and the consequent growth 
of business, it was found necessary to increase 
the capital stock in 1873 to s300,000, its present 
volume. The iirst board of directors was com- 
posed of E. T. Farmer, A. Thomas, T.N. Willis, 
David Hnnis and C". G. .\mes. E. T. Farmer 
was president of the bank from its organization 
till his death, in October, 1885. AVilliam E. 
McConnell was then elected president and has 
filled the otKce up to the present time. C. G. 
Ames was the iirst cashier, and was succeeded 
in December, 1878, by W. B. Atterberry, who 
served in that capacity until Sejttcmber 1882, 
when bo resigned and Mi-. L. \V. liunis, the 
present cashier, was elected. • In 1878 thenum- 
berof directors was increased from five to seven; 
the board is now coMij)osed of AVilliam \\. Mc- 
Connell, Thomas Hopper, James II. Laughlin, 
John S. Taylor, David iJunis, J. C. Maddox and 
Allen A. Curtis. In addition to the gentlemen 



above named E. II. Barns, David Clark, John 
A. Paxton, J. Temple, W. E. Cooke and 
Richard Fulkerson have been members of the 
board of directors since the bank was opened. 
From its inception Santa Rosa Bank has always 
been under the control of some of the oldest 
and most judicious business men of Sonoma 
County, and the policy of the management has 
ever been conservative and safe. Hence it has 
done a large business and its career has been one 
of uninterrupted prosperity. The stock, on 
which the bank has been and is now paying 
eight per cent, dividends, is nearly all owned by 
citizens of this county. The bank has an 
accumulated reserve of §85,000 and a surplus 
of over $20,000. Having been the first bank 
organized, and for a number of years the only 
one in Santa Rosa, it lias had much to do with 
the important public enterprises connected with 
- the city. The bank is situated on Exchant^e 
Avenue, opposite the court-house. The first 
bank building was erected in 1872, and occupied 
by the bank until September, 1888, when it was 
moved into the more commodious new building 
then completed for the purpose, one door north 
of the old one. The new twostory building is 
beautifully and tastefully finished and furnished, 
and is one of the most elegant banking houses 
in the State. It is furnishetl with a large safe 
deposit vault, 10x20 feet in size inside and two 
stories in height. It is fitted up with nearly 
400 private safe deposit boxes of the most aj)- 
proved patterns and convenient in arrangement 
for the accommodation of patrons, the whole 
being both fire and burglar proof. 

Santa Rosa Savings Bank. — The Santa Rosa 
Savings Bank was organized in 1873, with a 
cajjital stock of $100,000. A. F^. Overton was 
elected first president of the bank, and has held 
that position down to the present day. The late F. 
(4. Ilahman was the first cashier. He was suc- 
ceeded by the ])reseut cashier, Mr. G. I'. Noo- 
nan, a gentleman of high st;uiding and thorough 
business capacity. The assistant cashier is 
Mr. John P. Overton. Since its organization 
the bank has increased its capital stock to $150,- 



230 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



000. The bank was a success from its start, 
under the intelligent tinancial management of 
Mr. Overton. 

Sonoma Voiinti/ A<jricultiiral Park. — In tlie 
latter part of 1878 a number of prominent 
citizens determined to organize an association 
uiidei- the corporate name of "Tlie Sonoma 
County Agricultural Park Association." On 
the 3()th day of December, 1878, the following 
persons signed the articles of incorporation: 
Dr. W. Finlaw, J. P. Clark, James Adams, II. 
AV. Byington, Baker & Ross, Jos. Wright, W. 
(i. Atkins, Murphy Bros., E. Latapie, U. P. 
Quackenbusli, G. W. Savage, J.S.Taylor, Rags- 
dale Bros., E. T. Mills. ' The articles of incor- 
poration were filed in the office of the county 
clerk on the 9th day of January, 187i). Follow- 
ing were the first directors of the association: 
Jos. Wright, James P. Clark, James Adams, 
Wm. Finlaw, H. AV. Byington, E. Latapie, 
Wymau Murphy. The capital stock of the 
corporation was fi.xed at $25,000. Tiie sum paid 
in amounted to $7,000 — about $500 apiece for 
each of the original promoters. A tract of 
eighty acres of land, adioining and partly in 
tlie city limits, was purchased of the estate of 
Dr. John Hendley for the sum of $5,000. For 
tiie purpose of constructing a mile track, erect- 
ing fences, stalls, grand stand, etc., a further 
assessment was levied and collected, aggregating 
tlie sum of $5,000. During the following year 
the track and necessary buildings were com- 
pleted. 

The fair of 1888 was largely attended and 
was a decided success. Hon. George A. John- 
son, State Attorney-General, delivered the fol- 
lowing able address: 

Mr. President, Ladiks and (ii:NTi.i:MEN: — It 
is pleasant to meet together again on this an- 
nual occasion, to witness the exhibit of the 
growing industries of Sonoma County, and talk 
over its retrospect and its prospects. . 

Some of yon when you first came hither were 
young men flushed with excitement and hope 
amid your new surroundings, but however rose- 
colored were your dreams as to the future of 



this county, tiiey have been more than realized, 
thus proving that at times truth is stranger 
than fiction. Time and again you have liad to 
take back your dogmatic assertions as to Cali- 
fornia's possibilities and impossibilities, in the 
face of the all-convincing facts. In honor of 
you,' the early projectors of our present pros- 
perity, I will have sometliing to say in regard 
to Sonoma's ^last, and then in honor of you all, 
including this greater grouping of young men 
and women of native sons and daughters, I will 
have something to sa}' in regard to Sonoma's 
present and future. 

AVc refer with conimendalile pride to the 
fact tliat here in this county the first steps were 
taken to found a Republic in California. Here, 
first of all, Americans severed their relations 
with their sister country Mexico, and deter- 
mined to set up for themselves. And they had 
no sooner so determined than with characteristic 
energy they made a successful assault, took 
prisoners, and raised a flag. The bear flag 
meant that they were in earnest; it typified per- 
sistence and down-right stubbornness. It was 
no gala-day flag, or flag appealing to esthetic 
principles or wants. It \vas uncouth in its de- 
sign and texture, but there was something about 
it that rallied together a few hardy men to strike 
for liberty and self-government. Sloat in Mon- 
terey Bay soon hoisted another flag, the flag of 
our common country, the bear flag w-as at once 
taken down, and in its place the star spangled 
banner run up. Then came others to Sonoma, 
whose names have since become national — Per- 
sifer F. Smith, Philip Kearney, George Stone- 
man, Tecumseh Sherman, Old Joe Hooker, 
Halleck, Fremont and Stone. Hooker was 
elected road overseer, but got defeated when his 
ambition led him to aspire as high as a seat in 
the Legislature of California. Sherman capt- 
ured a justice of the peace by the name of 
Nash, because he was so pretentious as to claim 
to be chief justice of the country, and took him 
before Governor Mason, who proceeded to repri- 
mand severely the chief justice, and then re- 
leased him. Besides these leaders and generals 



niSTOBT OF SONOMA COUNT T. 



there were others who, though not written up 
in history, were equally heroic. I mean the 
privates in the ranks, many of whom have be- 
come a part of the hone and sinew of Sonoma's 
strength, and some of whom I see before me 
to-day. Afterward others came to add laurels 
to her civic wreatli. A young man all the way 
from Massachusetts settled at Petaluma, having 
lirst taken the precaution to appear in high-top 
boots in honor of her tiien muddy streets, which 
liave been since converted into the best of 
tliorough fares, nailed np his law sign and began 
to look about for business. He has since be- 
come a distinguished jurist, of whom Sonoma is 
justly proud. Among her lawyers, by common 
consent, Wilkins was brilliant and Thomas pro- 
found. 

But it is not so much of the men of Sonoma 
of whom I am to-day to speak as of her general 
industrial development, the improvement of her 
general well being; it is of her rise from a 
wilderness, from her primitive adobe buildings, 
lier mustang horses, her long-horned Spanish 
cattle, to the Sonoma of today, with the prize 
given her at the last Mechanics' Kair for the 
best display of citrus fruits, with her vine- 
covered hills and valleys, with her palatial resi- 
dences, the homes of thrifty culture, with her 
blooded stock, with her communication by rail 
with the North and South, and lastly with the 
East, and with the symmetrical development 
under the best of climatic influences of a vigor- 
ous manhood and lovely womanhood. Thus we 
have fully realized the prophesy of Bayard Tay- 
lor in respect to Sonoma, e.xpressed in those 
matchless words: 

"The wild, barbaric beauty of llij' face 
Shall round to classic lines." 

The little town of Sonoma was at one time 

the most prosperous city north of the Bay of 

San Francisco. Here, in this county, was first 

erected a church north of the ])ay, the (Ireek 

Church at Fort Ross, and here north of the bay 

were first grown fruits and grain, planted or 

sown by the Russians from Sitka. Now, how 

changed is the landscape. Over the great cen- 



tral valley, embracing the Petaluma, Santa Rosa 
and Russian River valleys, has budded forth 
into loveliness opening flowers of urban beauty 
all along the line of the San Francisco & North 
Pacific Railroad; and the picturesque valleys of 
the Rincon, Los Gruilicos and Sonoma, so long 
hidden from the view of the traveler, are brought 
into direct communication with the East by the 
new Carquinez Railroad. The earlier settle- 
ment at Sonoma, though it has not kept pace 
with the luxuriant development of other towns, 
will always be rememliered for its historic in- 
terest, and for the general culture of the people, 
who have their happy homes in the country 
around it. As great as has been the progress 
of this country from the times when Charles V 
sent forth his galleons to Mexico and Peru to 
carry the Spanish arms to success under Cortez 
and Pizarro; as great as has been its ])rogress 
froin the time when Mexico declared her inde- 
pendence of Spain, and the Monroe doctrine was 
officially announced, which gave a final quietus 
to the encroaching claims of Russia in these 
borders; as great as has been its progress since 
the bear Hag was raised and the star-spangled 
banner gave the protection of a great people to 
these far-off occidental shores; still greater will 
be onr development in the future, when the 
fertility and adaptation of our soil shall have 
become better known, when the fact that here 
degrees of latitude make no appreciable diflei-- 
ence in climatic deinarkation shall have become 
better understood, and that Riverside and 
Sonoma have nearly the same winter and sum- 
mer temperature, although the latteris hundreds 
of miles further to the north; when more per- 
fect and expeditious shall have become our 
communication with the East, by new discover- 
ies and appliances, such as better motor power, 
and the practical realization for long distances 
of the newly-discovered electric pneumatic tube 
in sending parcels, with the aid of the improved 
phonograph in transmitting messages. 

Agriculture is the greatest industry of the 
world. Labor is the source of all wealth, and 
Sonoma County is specially adapted for agricult- 



HISTORY (IF SONOMA COUNTY. 



lire. Our rainfall is oue-fourth greater tliau 
that around San Francisco, and even without it 
the dews of heaven are sufficient to fructify our 
crops. The husbandman need not sow or plant 
here as in many localities with uncertain hopes, 
for a failure would be almost an anomaly in 
life's experience. This of itself, with the 
protection furnished by our coast range against 
unpleasant and destructive winds, should concen- 
trate attention on Sonoma. Tlie inter-commun- 
ication by rail, which I have already spoken of, 
opens up to us all tlie avenues of trade and 
commerce. No better sanitarium can be found 
for the invalid, nor more healthful airs to give 
bloom to the cheek or tension to the muscles. 
Our people, too, are a moral people, yielding 
cheerful obedience to the laws. The young 
generation among us is growing up nnder the 
sheltering care of enlightened schools and col- 
leges and the Christian church. When this 
enumeration of our advantages is borne in mind, 
it is no extravagance to predict the great appre- 
ciation in landed property, which is destined 
inevitably to come, and that, too, in the near 
future. 

Every male person should have an art or 
trade, and let not the generous soil of Sonoma 
be forgotten by our young people in making 
their selection. If, in after years, they should 
turn their attention to purely professional or 
intellectual pursuits, the trade will be an aid 
instead of an obstrnction. 

It was in the shipyards of England that Peter 
the Great learned how to teach the builders of 
his navy. Henry the Eighth, with many other 
accomplishments, was proficient in laying the 
keel of a vessel. The present Prince of Wales 
and his brother, the Duke of Edinburg, passed 
their apprenticeship like any other midshipman 
ill liritannia's waters. 

Let our large holdings be subdivided, and 
our young men have an opportunity to give in- 
creased productiveness to the soil. If it is true 
anywhere it is true of many parts of old Sonoma, 
that every rod of ground can be made to main- 
tain her man. When this condition of things 



can be realized, even this successful tenth an- 
nual fair of your association will be thrown far 
into shadow by the princely outcome-of Ilnssian . 
River and Dry Creek bottoms. The people may 
hereafter call some of your boys from turning 
what is metaphorically the stubborn glebe, to 
the halls of legislation, the seat of justice, or 
the government of the great State itself. Cin- 
cinnatus was taken from the plow to honor the 
headship of the Roman legions. Elisha was 
holdino- well in hand his yokes of cattle when 
the mantle of Elijah fell upon him. Cromwell, 
amid the fadeless glories of his Ironsides, and 
the discomfiture of the fiery Rupert, sighed for 
the pastoral ditties of the home-land, where 
jocund he used to drive his team afield. Joan 
of Arc, amid the splendors of the coronation of 
her King at Rheims, preferred to doff her un- 
sullied suit of white armor and tend the sheep 
which had been her care in the Vosges forest. 
And, lastly, our Washington, who was called 
from rural life to the leadership of our armies, 
sheathed the sword which had won freedom for 
a nation, and betook himself again to his home 
at Mount Vernon, where he could see from his 
porches the traucpiil flow of the Potomac and 
dispense a varied culture and boundless hospi- 
tality among the scions of old English stock. 

Although the husbandman has his days of 
toil, yet they have been greatly lessened by 
modern discoveries and appliances ; and he has 
many opportunities for (piiet research and suc- 
cessful observation and experimentation. 

The greatest discoveries have been made in 
this way, not only in the fleld of agricultural 
labor, but in all great inquiries. Many a man 
following in the footsteps of Archimedes of old, 
has exclaimed " Eureka '" as he has seen all at 
once the object for which he has so long striven 
attained. 

Noticing the falling of an apple ultimately 
settled the question of universal gravitation. 
The swinging of a church lamp enabled Galileo 
to grasp at the idea of the pendulum and the 
exact measurement of time, and tins siiould 
operate as an incentive to some of you who are 



ItlSTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



presumably a little lax in your church attend- 
ance. Jacob not only learned, but lias fought, a 
lesson in seeing his piebald flock disporting 
themselves among the peeled poplars and hazels. 
Indeed, you have nothing to do in order to 
verify these observations but to look upon your 
vineyards, whicli, standing with the old Mission 
stock, have been improved by grafts from Italy^ 
Spain, France and Germany, until Sonoma lias 
now become the recognized habitat of the most 
successful viticulture. You know that the 
potato was once a semi-poisonons tuber, that 
the apple has grown into all its lusciousness 
from its dwarfed paternal crab, and that even 
the sheep with its soft merino wool had its great 
ancestor with a different coating, like the hair of 
a goat. Our modern flowers, with their rich 
varied hues and perfumed essences, liave been 
the outgrowth of constant labor in propagation 
and successful experimentation. 

The age is an utilitarian age. It is the age of 
positive and appreciable results. If men set 
their heads together to breed ahorse which will 
lower the record of Maud S and trot his mile in 
two minutes, the chronicles of some subsequent 
fair will tell you the feat has been accomplished. 
If the object to be attained is an orange more 
luscious than that of Riverside, if a flower more 
delicate than the \iolet, if a perfume nmrc 
sweetly diff'using tiian the helioti-o])e, if a rose 
redder than the jacqueminot, if a grajje more 
flaming than the Flaming Tokay, the result of 
continued observation, experiment and compari- 
son of views will be the attainment of these 
new fruits and flowers to be added to the present 
wealth of our horticulture and floral kingdoms. 

It requires patience, intelligence, persistence, 
hopefulness, but the end will sooner or later be 
reached, and the man who succeeds has done 
something to increase tlie blessings of mankind, 
and to perpetuate his name to posterity. 

I'"()r successful agricultural work where it 
accords with your children's inclinations and 
aptitudes, they should be sent to the liigher 
technical schools, where they may learn the 
principles of applied science, become skilled in 



electralysis or the analysis of soils, be taught 
meteorology even if there is no danger of our 
weather becoming cyclonic as in the East, and 
become learned in insects and their parasites, 
which is all important in our fruit-growing and 
wine-producing counties. The French Govern 
ment has a standing reward of a large amount 
offered for the discovery of an antidote to the 
phyloxera. Such a discovery would not only 
revitalize old French vineyards, but would re- 
clothe or maintain in their pristine luxuriance 
and prolificness the vineyards of California. 

If the orange suffers from the scale, some- 
thing should be found to act as the scale's evil 
genius and destroy the destroyer. 

Even our purely cereal-producing counties are 
interested in arresting the ravages of these little 
pests or discovering some insectivorous parasites. 

These discoveries will be made, and a crown- 
ing triumph yet awaits the discoverers, not only, 
it is to be hoped, in universal benediction, and 
a memory which the world will not willingly 
let fade from the long roll of its benefactors, but 
also in well-earned compensation. 

But if any one has no aptitude or inclination 
for this kind of labor and research, it should 
not be enforced, for science delights in always 
having a free and voluntary homage from the 
votaries at her shrine. 

There are two departments of scientiflc in- 
(piiry, and neither should be despised ; one is 
the imaginative or theoretical, the other the 
mechanical or practical. Some of the greatest 
discoveries have been made as if by intention, 
and without any previous training of thought. 
Other men took up the idea and practicalized it 
in the workshop, the laboratory or on the forge. 
One workman was the compliment of the other, 
and neither could be a success without the other's 
assistance. Both combining their eff'orts, t.be 
civilization and well-being of the age have been 
immeasurably advanced. Morse could see clearer 
than others that the electric telegraph would 
work successfully, and that all that was neces- 
sary to do was to make it work. It took the 
cool head and plastic touch of a mechanician 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



like Aaron Vail to surround it with the jiruper 
appliances and adaptations and thus the com- 
bined efforts of tlie two have given the world 
substantially the working telegraphy of the pres- 
ent day. 

We are to perform a mission here according 
to our respective talents. Let them not be kept 
buried, but burnished. "We need clearly to ap- 
prehend the wants of the time, and then to 
move on to the attainment of the best results. 
Let the poor, crazy Knight of La Mancha do all 
the fighting with the windmills. Our aim 
should be to deal with the practical and tangi- 
ble. We should take advantage of the con- 
quests of others, of all the discoveries, endeavor 
to add to them, and not fight over again the 
same old battles when there is no foeman to 
strike. 

Let our civil and religious liberties severely 
alone. They are doing well enough, baptized 
as they are in blood, written in charters nearly 
a thousand years old. and now secured by the 
double-plated armor of constitutional law. 

These contests ha^'e had their day, and the 
right finally triumphed. There was a principle at 
stake and the principle was won. The names of 
the heroes are written in history, consecrated in 
song, and the mention of them still stirs our 
hearts like a trumpet, as Sidney's heart was 
stirred by the old story of Percy and Douglass. 
To tight for and acquire these rights was indeed 
true glory; not the false glory which inspired 
an Alexander, a Ca;sar or a Napoleon, who little 
recked of the thousands and hundreds of thou- 
sands who fell in their bloody triumphs to gain 
for them pelf, power and place. The country is 
exposed to no stern alarums that may be bounded 
by some border foe. It will not do to trifle with 
the majesty of a great nation, which at almost 
a moment's call can have three millions of sol- 
diers marching from center to circumference for 
the purposes of a common defense. 

Therefore, we should dismiss all cliimerical 
conceits, and address ourselves to important 
questions, questions which concern our material 
development, the furnishing of a Itctter well- 



l)eing, tiie adding of home comforts and fireside 

joys. 

Are you aware of tlie fact that our niotlier 
country had no fireside till aliout tlie reign of 
Queen Elizabeth? Then the hearth was laid 
and the mantle covered with ornaments instead 
of smoke curling among tlie rafters or lilacken- 
ing the unglazed windows. It was the com- 
mencement of the rude home life of our fore- 
fatiiers, the influences of whicli were destined 
to radiate from the domestic circle for the better- 
ment of the State. 

Here, in this far-away- land, under your own 
vine and fig tree, with a generous soil and a 
genial climate, or rather an aggregation of cli- 
mates, made still more genial by the appliances 
of drainage and arboculture, you can greatly add 
to the happiness, the conveniences and beauty 
of your homes. You can place on your tables 
for reading the best of our magazines and peri- 
odicals that deal in the literature of the farm. 
By these aids and your daily observation you 
can inaugurate a thorough experimentation that 
will afterward bear fruit in improved agricult- 
ural methods, better and more varied products, 
thoroughbred stock, and general home comforts. 
A society or neighborhood with such facilities as 
you have or can have, by frequent interchange 
of views, enlightened l)y special reading and a 
comparison of results, will not oidy leave its 
impress upon the immediate local community, 
but will afiect favorably the county and State at 
large, and add to the thoroughness and success 
of these annual occasions. It will also tend to 
implant a more general desire in others for the 
cultivation of the soil and rural comforts. 
Young men will gradually be drawn away from 
the vortex of city dissipation, and will begin to 
build up for themselves some lofty, bucolic ideal. 
Many a panorama of scenic beauty, as yet un- 
disclosed, will be opened up. A succession of 
charming villas, the abode of thrifty culture, 
will dot the landscape over and remind us of the 
far-famed beauties of the Hudson and the Rhine. 

This picture is destined to be the future of 
much of this conntv, which is situated near the 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



iiietropolis, and which is so admirably and con- 
veniently located, with reference to the avennes 
and centers of trade. 

As Sonoma Connty was first among the early 
settlements of this State, as it is greater than 
any other county in its early historic associa- 
tions and interests, so let it be our endeavor to 
make it stand forth in the fore-front of the pro- 
ducing counties, crowned not only with its well- 
deserved citrus wreath, but with other agricult- 
ural wreaths as well, the proud aiiiding place 
of intelligent and cultured farmers, wide-awake 
to every imjM'overaent, unceasing in experimen- 
tation, characterized by a thorough, thrifty and 
cleanly husbandry, with peaceful, happy and 
charming homes scattered all along these pictur- 
esque hills and valleys. Don't forget that a 
subdivision of your lands into smaller holdings, 
where they are suitable for viticulture or fruit, 
is of prime importance and will be attended 
with the most beneficial results. Twenty-acre 
or forty-acre farms, planted to the vine, the 
peach, the pear or the prune, would be the 
crowning glory of old Sonoma. It woidd place 
on her brow a richer diadem than that which 
sparkles even on the front of the mining coun- 
ties. It would mean thoroughness in farming, 
beautiful gardens, architectural models and dis- 
play, a general lauded appreciation, huiiie com- 
forts and the security of our liorticuUnral au<l 
viticultnral renown. 

When we bear in mind the I'icli soil from the 
decomposed granite and slate in the foot-hill 
counties, their eligible location on the line of 
eastern travel, their growing amhitioii for the 
cultivation of the vine and of fruits, and their 
climatic equability, it must he ackiujwledged 
that they are formidnblc rivals U\ Sonoma and 
may yet eclipse her. 

By a judicious sul)di\i(ling of our large hold- 
ings we may retain the vintage that we now 
enjoy; otiierwise, sooner or later, the finest dis- 
plays will be seen at the Placer, El Dorado and 
Nevada fairs, or in the sunny land of Southern 
('alifornia. 

The farmer's life can be made more pleasant 



and successful than almost any other. 1 refer 
to the enterprising and enlightened farmer. He 
can surround himself with all the conveniences 
of life, keep abreast of the general culture of 
the times, maintain his independence and 
dignity, live on the best productions which his 
farm will permit of, and market the remainder. 
He can have his cool grottoes, his shady nooks, 
his books within his cultured home. He ought 
to grow happy and joyful with his opeti-air feel- 
ings, soothed by wild-wood notes, and in some 
little natural or artificial forest of .\rden be- 
come philosophical as he meditates: 

'■ And this our life, exempt from publio haimt, 
Finds tongues in trees, books in the running l)roolis, 
Sermons in stones, and good in everything. 
I would not change it." 

Ilefreshing slumbers come to him unsouo-ht, 
and the morrow's sun finds him like some oiled 
Olympian wrestler ready for the fray. 

I want to see our young men aspiring after 
these rural pleasures and building up for them- 
selves homes in the country, where they can fol- 
low out some lofty, bucolic ideal, instead of 
lieing lured away by the city's falsetto tones and 
iTiaddening strife. It is the way to enjoy a 
healthful and successful manhood, an honorable 
and contented old age. Cicero was never so 
much delighted as in his Tiisciiluin villa, and 
Horace on his Sabine farm. And the coinin<>' 
generations, as long as time shall last, will be 
taught to read the praises of agriculture in the 
beautiful and finshed poetic numbers of Man- 
tua's bard. 

The Sonoma Democrat was first issued Octo- 
ber 16, 1857, by A. W. Kussel. The following 
year he sold the paper to E. R. Budd and L. TI. 
Fisher. Mr. Fisher sold his interest to B. F. 
Pinckham. Hudd and Pinckham could not 
agree politically, and Mr. I'.udd purchased the 
interest of Mr. Pinckham and became sole pro- 
prietor. Mr. Kudd issued a very good paper, 
neat in its appearance and well edited. At the 
close of his volume, October 13, 185!), he 
says: " For two years we have labored with a 
zeal that deserves a degree of success; we have 



236 



RiaTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



grappled with nearly every question of im- 
portance brought to our notice, and liave 
decided for onrselves on their several merits. 
Hitherto onr paper has been an experiment; it 
is now an established fact."' In 1860 the iJem- 
ocrat was purchased by T. L. Thompson, and 
was much enlarged and improved. In 1866 a 
Hoe cylinder press, the first in Sonoma County, 
was added to the office, the paper at this time, 
having very hxrgely increased in business and 
in general circulation. From 18(58 to 1871 the 
Democrat was run by Peabody, Ferral »S: Co. 
In the latter year it was rejiurcliased Ijy Mr. 
Thompson. K. .\. aiul I'". P. Thompson were 
associated with him until 1877. The Sunoma 
Democrat has devoted much space to the in- 
dustrial development of Sonoma County. The 
paper is now under the management of T. L. 
Thompson. The Daily Democrat was begun 
in 1875, was discontinued in 1877, and reissued 
in 187'J. It is now published daily. The weekly 
edition is issued every Saturday morning. 
Theofiice is provided with steam-power presses, 
and a job office com])lete in all its appoint- 
ments. 

Daihj ami Weeklij Republican. — This paper 
was established as the Press by W. A. AVheeler. 
In January, 1875, it was purchased by Ceo. II. 
Mari', anil the name changed to the Times. Mr. 
(i. 11. Marr was the publisher until his death, 
which occurred in March, 1878. It was then 
purchased by T. N. and J. W. llagsdale, who 
commenced the publication of the Daily Times. 
Mr. T. X. Kagsdale died in December, 1879, 
and shortly after the paper was jnirchased by 
Colonel J. 13. Armstrong. Colonel Armstrong 
gave the paper its present name — the Repub- 
lican. He is a writer very much above the 
average of men, and had, besides, a large ex- 
perience as correspondent of some of "the leading 
eastern papers. Under his control the Repxib- 
lican at once took rank as one of the best 
country papers in this State. The editor was 
especially well up in agriculture. He devoted 
also much attention to local matters. Colonel 
Armstrong, haviiii; other aft'airs to engage liis 



attention, sold the pajjer to J. W. llagsdale, who 
soon after sold a half interest to John Fitch. 
Mr. Fitch and Mr. James O'Meara purchased 
the remaining interest of Mr. Kagsdale, and 
the paper was run for some months under their 
management. In the fall of 1883 the interest 
of the latter gentleman was purchased by Mr. 
E. W. Davis, who, on account of failing health, 
sold the establishment to Richard Cannon, who 
published the paper until 1887, wlien he sold 
to the present proprietor, A. B. Lemnion. 

The Graml Hotel is a first-class house, situ- 
ated at the corner of Main and E streets. It is 
a large bi'ick building, in the center of the city, 
and it accommodates a large and regular cus- 
tom from all parts of the county and State. 

The Occidental Hotel is situated on the cor- 
ner of Fourth and B streets. It is a commodi- 
ous brick building, and handsomely furnished. 
G. A. Tupper is a widely known citizen of So- 
noma, public spirited, attentive to his guests, and 
deservedly one of the most popular landlords in 
the State. 

The following is a list of the principal cor- 
porations doing Ijusiness in Santa liosa, other 
than banks and railroads: 

Santa Rosa Gas Light Company. — John A. 
Paxton, deceased, President; Santa Rosa Bank, 
Treasurer; A. G. Murdock, Secretary and Su- 
perintendent. 

Santa Rosa Athena>um Company. — B. M. 
Spencer, President; Guy F. Grosse, Vice-Pres- 
ident; C. A. Wright, Secretary; L. W. Burris, 
Treasurer; Trustees: B. M. Spencer, S. Hutch- 
inson, J. C. Mailer, I. DeTurk, (tuy E. Grosse, 
AV. C. Good, C. A.Wright. 

Ayricultural Park Association. — J. N. Bail- 
liache. President; S. T. Allen, Vice-Pre.sident; 
G. A. Tupper, Secretary; E. W. Davis, Treas- 
\irer; Directors: B. M. Spencer, Jas. H. Laugh- 
lin, S. I. Allen, J. N. Bailhache, I. DeTurk, 
Guy E. Grosse, E. W. Davis. 

Masonic Hall Association. — John S. Taylor, 
President; E. Noblet, Vice-President; B. M. 
Spencer, Secretary; L. W. Burris, Treasurer; 
Directors, B. M. Spencer, J. S. Taylor, W. C. 



BISTORT OF SONOMA OOUNTT. 



237 



(4ood, A. D. Laughliu, E. NoUlet, 11. \.. Trij.p, 
(iiiy E. Grusse. 

Stock Breeding Association. — I. DeTiirk, 
President; L. W. P>nrris, Secretary; J. II. Laugli- 
liii. Treasurer; Directors, 1. DeTiirk, \\. Mur- 
phy, J. II. Laughlin, Geo. E. Gufrne, (Tuy E. 
Grease. 

F'niit and Grape Growers' Association. — 
Jonathan Roberts, President; W. C. Kellogg, 
Secretary; Guy E. Grosse, Treasurer. 

llojy Growers' Association. — Guy E. Grosse, 
President; Ferdinand lienzel, ^'ice- President, 
Fulton District; J. P. Graham, Vice-Presi- 
dent, Mark West Creek District; Lossen Ross, 
Vice President; Green Valley District; T. P. 
Miller, Vice-President, Santa Rosa Creek Dis- 
trict; J. E. Hall, Vice-President, Santa Rosa 
Creek District; Otis Allen, Vice-President, Se- 
bastopol and Laguna District; V. ^yatson, Vice- 
President, F^'eestone District; C. R. Farmer, 
Treasurer; N. AVinants, Secretary. 

Santa Jiosa Water Cornpanij. — Mark. L. 
McDonald, President and Manager; Directors: 
M. L. McDonald, T. J. Proctor, 1. G. Wicker- 
sham, R. Press Davis. 

Santa Rosa Street Car Company. — Operates 
on Fourth sti'eet and McsDonald avenue; Mark L. 
McDonald, President and Managtsr. 

People's Street /iailwai/ Coinjiani/. — Presi- 
dent, A. Shaw; Vice-President, S. I. Allen; Secre- 
tary, J. D. Iiarnett; Treasurer, J. W. Warboys; 
Directors: J. I). Parnett, A. Sliaw, S. I. .Mien, 
J. W. AV'arboys, P. M. Spencer. 

Santit Jiosa Woolen Mills Conipa/u/. — John 
Walker, President; P. M. Walker, Secretary and 
Treasurer; F. X. Longhery, Superintemlent. 

Santa Jiosa J'aekimj anil Caiinimj Coin- 
pany. — A branch of the Cutting Packing (Jom- 
]iany, of San Francisco. J. l»lack. President; 
C. A. i'erry, Secretary, Ti-easnrcr and Su|ierin- 
tendent. 

Methodist Episcopal Chai'rli, Sajita liosa. — 
Organized about 1855; among the first, if not 
the first, pastors was Rev. R. Williamson. The 
deed to the property secured December 15,1858, 
deeded by lloen, Ilartman and Ilahman, as a 



donation from them. Property comprises four 
city lots on the corner of Third and D streets. 
The first church building was erected in 1861, 
under the supervision of Rev. James Corwiii, 
it was enlarged in 1877 by Rev. Lovejoy, in- 
cluding a prayer room and a pastor's study. 
Tiie auditorium has a seating capacity of 2t)-t: 
persons. The following are the pastors who 
have ministered to the church: Rev. R. W. 
Williamson, John Walker, James Corwin, 
Noah IJurton, Wm. Hulbert, A. L. S. P.ate- 
inan, George Clifford, Wm. Anguin, George 
Walter. G. D. Pineo, Lovejoy, C. E. Rich, 
E. I. Jones, George Adams. T. H. Woodward, 
Geo. Clifford. The present parsonage was 
erected in 1884 under the supervision of Rev. 
T. II. Woodward. The present membership is 
about 150. The Sunday school has 100 scholars 
enrolled and the regular attendance is about 118. 

The Christian Church., Santa Rosa. — To El- 
der Thomas Thompson is the honor due of or- 
ganizing this congregation in November, 1854, 
and preaching the first sermon to them in that 
month. The original members of the church 
were: T. P.. Hood and wife, Mrs. C. E. Hood, 
Joel Miller, Sarah Miller (now Mrs. Shane), 
Elizabeth Miller, Harrison Valentine, W. R. 
O'llowell, J. M. Case, Samuel Hand and wife. 
Mrs. Coleman Talbot, and R. Fulkerson and 
wife. Services were then held in the town of 
FVanklin, in the Paptist church, and continued 
there until the town was moved to Santa Rosa, 
when the congregation met in the court-house, 
but after the removal of the church building 
from Franklin to Santa Rosa in 1S5(), then in 
that edifice, where they prosecuted their devo- 
tions until the erection in 1857 of their own 
place of worship on the corner of F'ourth and B 
streets, which, in 187J, was transferred to its 
present position on Fifth street. The entire 
cost of the church, inclusive of lot, bell, fixtures, 
etc., was about $3,000, while its size is 38 .\ GO 
feet. 

J'resbyterian. Charch.~(h\ J\Iarch 17, 1850, 
Mr. Woods organized the Presbyterian ("hurch, 
consisting of twelve members: Cyrus Alexan- 



iirsTonr of sonoma countt. 



(ler. A. P. Wilson, John Barbour, Joliii Tread- 
way, Mrs. Henrietta Treadsvay, Mrs. E. A. 
Woods, Mrs. JaneOrrnsbj, Mrs. Ilattie Hendly, 
Mrs. Jane Drum. ilrs. Elizabetli Bledsoe, 
]V[rs. Ivate Green, and Mrs. Louisa McDonald. 
CjM-us Alexander and John Treadwa}- were 
elected ruling elders. Mr. Alexander was or- 
dained and installed, and Mr. Treadway, having 
been previously ordained, was duly installed. 

Bcqjtist Church. — Early in the year 1873 
the tru.-;tees of the Baptist CMiureh of Santa Rosa 
pnrcliased a lot on tiio corner of I! and Cen- 
ter streets on which, in the month of Febrnar\\ 
they commenced the erection of a building, Gotii- 
ic in style of architecture, and of the following 
dimensions: The main church building, 5(ix.37 
feet, with an elevatiim of thirty-two feet. Ad- 
ioining the main building, in the rear, is a 
chapel 30x40 feet, containing, besides accom- 
modation for the Sunday-school, the library and 
committee rooms. Over the front entrance to 
the church is a large G(^thic window. From 
the base to elevation of tower and spire, located 
at the left front corner of the edifice, is sixty- 
nine feet. The building cost about $5,000. 
Tlie first house of worship was built in 1854 at 
Franklin, a mile and a half from Santa llosa, 
but, in 1855, it was removed with the rest of 
tiiat short-lived village to this town and placed 
upon the lot on Third street where it now stands, 
being used as a tenement lH)Use. It was the 
third Protestant churcli erected in the county, 
James Crane being tiie contractor. Tlie cost of 
the building was defrayed by public subscription, 
with the provisions that it should be free to all 
denominations when not in use by the Baptists. 
Klder J. McCorkle hold tlie first services in the 
Imilding. 

Kpm'oi>al Church. — On the 14th of Octol)er, 
1872. the preliminary steps were taken to 
organi/.c a parish at Santa Rosa under the 
Episcopal Church, by electing the following 
gentlemen as officers: Dr. R. !'. Smith, Senior 
Warden; W. H. Bond, Junior Warden; E. W. 
Maslin, G. W.. Jones, F. G. Nagle, L. A. 
Martin and F. P. Thompson, Vestrymen. The 



Rev. G. C. Lane, who bad been officiating, noti- 
fied the bishop of the election of church officers, 
and re(piested his consent to the organizatitm, 
which was granted by Bishop Kip on the ISth of 
December, and tlie vestry formed by electing F. 
G. Nagle, Secretary, and L. A. Martin, Treas- 
urer, the parish, on the motion of Dr. Smith, 
receiving the name of " The Parish of the In- 
carnation," and Rev. G. C. Lane appointed Rec- 
tor for the ensuing year. 

Santa Rosa Water CoinjMiiy. — Articles of 
incorporation of the Santa Rosa Water Company 
were filed on February 27, 1873, the capital 
stock being $100,000 divided into 1,000 shares 
of 8100 each, the Directors being E. T. Farmer, 
C. F. Juillard, F. G. Ilahman, Jackson Temple 
and James P. Clark; term of existence fifty 
years. In reference to this undertaking the 
water is taken from the junction of the Alamo 
and Santa Rosa creeks and conveyed on the 
south side of the latter to the reservoir, one mile 
below, on the lauds of the Gibb's estate. The 
fall, from where the water is taken at the creeks, 
to the reservoir is thirty-five feet; the supply 
pipe to the reservoir is eleven-inch, and the 
mains, from the reservoir to the town, are nine- 
inch for a portion of the way and seven-inch for 
the remainder. The reservoir has a cajiacity of 
not less than 30,000.000 gallons. 

Santa Rosa Gaslight Cvuipany. — The Max ■ 
im Gas Company was incorporated April, 1872, 
the citizens of Santa Rosa taking one half the 
stock, and the Maxim Gas Company of San 
Francisco holding the balance. The whole stock 
was subsequently purchased by the citizens and 
the Maxim Works run by them until the spring 
of 1876, when they were disposed of to Santa 
Rosa Gaslight Company, which had been incor- 
porated March i), 187t), under the supervision 
of L. A. Kelly. The new company, at an ex- 
pense of s30,000. erected their works on First 
street, just below Main, which consist of a large 
brick retort-house, with iron roof, brick purifying 
house in the rear, office and workshop, with 
large holder, 20,000 cubic feet capacity, with 
brick cistern. 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



239 



Santa Rosa Commandery of Knights Tem- 
plar. — This order was organized under dispen- 
sation March 11, 1878, the charter being granted 
April 11, 1879. The charter members being 
Sir Leonard Harrison Buckland, Sir Thomas 
Piiipps I'axter, Sir Samuel Hard, Sir Arthur 
Lockard Co.x, Sir Miln Suiitli Davis, Sir (iuy 
Emanuel (irrosse. Sir (ieorge Ashbury Jolinson, 
Sir John Mcllmoil, Sir James Clark ^[ailer. Sir 
Byron M. Spencer. The original othccrs were: 
Sir George Ashbury Johnson, Eminent Com- 
mander; Sir Byron M. Spencer, Generalissimo; 
Sir Leonard Harrison J>nckland, Captain-Gen- 
eral; Sir Thomas Phipps Baxter, Pi-elate; Sir 
(luy Emanuel Grosse, Senior AVarden; Sir 
James Clark Mailer, .Junior AVarden; Sir Sam- 
uel Bard, Treasurer; Sir .Vrthur Lockard Cox, 
Recorder; Sir Milo Smith Davis, AVarden; Sir 
John McHmoil, SentineL 

Santa Rosa Encantpment, No. J-A 1 .(>. (J. V. 
— This order was instituted in Santa Rosa on 
December 14, 1875, the charter members be- 
ing: J. J. McClelland, A. G. Shannon, A. P. 
Petit, George T. Gregg, C. D. Frazie, AV. II. 
Morris, AVilliam Strom; the original officers 
being: C. D. Frazie, C. P.; A. (4. Shannon, H. 
P.; J. J. McClelland, S. AV.; William, Strong; 
AVilliam R. Morris, Treasurer; A. P. Petit, J. 
AV.; S. T. Coulter, Guide. 

Santa Rosa Lodge, No. ■'>■!. 1. (>. <>. F. 
Tliis lodge was instituted February ^S, 1856, 
the following being the charter members: John 
llendley, Jacob M. Gallagher, Adam Shane, AV. 
R. Smith, James A. Reynolds, Horace B. Alar- 
tiu, Julio Carrillo and AV. M. Menefee. The 
order held their meetings in Good Templars' 
Hall, No. 222 Third street, until the comple- 
tion of their own building, at a cost of !f^l8,()0(), 
on the corner of Third street and Exchange ave- 
nue. The first officers were: John Hendley, 
N. G.; AV. R. Smith, V. G.; Adam Shane, Re- 
cording Secretary; N.McC. Menefee, Treasurer. 

I'urltii Lodge, No. ,iJ, /. (). G. T.— AVas 
first organized May 14, 1861, in Temperance 
Hall, 222 Third street, there l)eing seventeen 
charter members. The following were elected 



offiers: AVilliam Churchman, AV. C. T.; Maud 
Latimer, AV. V. T.; Frank AV. Brown, AV. S.; 
T. J. Smith, AV. F. S.; Caroline E. Hood, AV. 
T.; AV. AV. Morrow, AV. M.; J. W. Town, AV. 
L G.; C. G. Ames, AV. O. G. 

Santa Rosa Lodge, No. 370, L <). (J. T.— The 
charter members being: Harry Rich,D. S. Lacey, 
Harry T. Case, C.T.Barnes, T. H. Barnes, Ben- 
jamin Farmer, James AForrow, Jr., S. Cliilders,J. 
D. Stockton, Rebecca Stockton, P. B. Owen, Mrs. 
L. R. Latimer, Miss A. Small, James Roberts, 
AV. Churchman, J. M. White, O. D. Metcalf, 
Miss S. M. Baxter, J. T. Littaker, Mrs. Dora 
Metzler, AV. H. Alead, AValter Ferrall, Mrs. E. 
Hodgson, \^. Fortson; the officers a})pointed 
were: D. S. Lacey, AV. C. T.; AH-s. S. R. Lati- 
mer, AV. V. T.; Rev. G. D. Pinneo, AV. C; 
Walter Ferrall, W. S. ; Miss Fannie Farmer, 
AV. A. S.; O. D. Aletcalf, AV. F. S.; Miss T. 
AL Baxter, AV. T.; James Morrow, Jr., AV. AI.; 
Miss Abbie Small, AV. D. M.; Rebecca Stock- 
ton, AV. I. G.; James Roberts, AV. O. G.; Airs. 
Dora Aletzler, AV. R. H. S.; Aliss Lizzie Fort- 
son, AV. L. H. S.; L D. Stockton, P. W. C. T. 

Par'ifia Methodist College. — The first regu- 
lar session of the college was opened in July, 
1861, with Professor C. S. Smyth, department 
of mathematics; Professor S. B. Morse, depart- 
ment of languages, and Aliss A. E. Caldwell in 
charge of the primary department. The first 
day showed an attendance of only thirteen 
students; within four months the number had 
increased to forty-six. Three weeks before the 
close of the session Rev. AV. T. Lucky, who had 
been elected president, arrived and took charge 
of the institution. The first annual catalogue, 
published in May, 1862, contained the names of 
over eighty students. There was a period of 
uninterrupted prosperity from 1862 to April, 
1865, when the main college building was de- 
stroyed by fire — the work of an incendiary. 
Provision w'as made for the accommodation of 
classes, and the exercises of the institution went 
on without the loss of a single" recitation. Af- 
ter a 3'ear and a half of zealous effort on the 
part of the agent, Rev. AV. M. AVinters, another 



340 



UIHTOUY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



building was erected, at a cost of §16,000. In 
December, 1860, Dr. Lucky tendered bis resig- 
nation, to take etlect in May, 1867. At tlie 
annual meeting of tlie board of trustees, iti Mny, 
Dr. .1. R. Tbomas, of Emory College, Georgia, 
was elected president. The institution contin- 
ued its session in Vacaviile until May, 1870, 
when, by vote of the trustees, it was removed 
to Santa Hosa. The citizens of Santa Kosa 
donated ten acres of land and erected thereon a 
college l)uilding, at a cost of !?25,O00. The 
present value of the building and grounds is 
estimated at S30,000. The college grounds are 
situated in the northeastern part of the city. 
The building is commodious, aftbrding accom- 
modations for 300 students. There are two 
literary societies connected with the college. 
The libraries of the two societies contain about 
800 volumes. The tirst regular session in Santa 
Rosa was opened in August, 1871, with A. h. 
Fitzgerald, A. M., president and professor of 
mental and moral science; C. S. Smyth, pro- 
fessor of mathematics; Charles King, professor 
t)f languages. In July, 1876, President A. L. 
Fitzgerald tendered his resignation, to take 
effect in October, when Rev. W. .\. Finley was 
elected to take charge of the institution. I'lie 
prospects of the college are now encouraging. 
At no time in its history have its friends been 
more determined to sustain it with their means 
and influence. The graduates niimlier 101. The 
larger portion of tiie interest-bearing debt has 
been paid. Tiiree gold medals are given annu- 
ally, one for best declamation, one for the best 
select reading, and one for excellence in scholar- 
ship and deportment. The medal for scliolar- 
ship and deportment has been endowed by T.J. 
Brooke, and is known as the Brooke medal; that 
for select reading by T. II. 1!. .Vnderson, and is 
known as the Anderson medal: the one for best 
declamation by Senator Cx. A. Johnson, and is 
known as the Johnson medal. The situation of 
the college is all that could bu desireil. At no 
place in California are students under better 
influence than in Santa Rosa. The course of 
instruction consists of Greek, Latin, Cierman, 



French, Spanish, and a course of English mathe- 
matics, philosophy and the natural pliysical 
sciences. Colonel J. M.Austin, A. M., is presi- 
dent, with the following corps of professors and 
teachers: Rev. S. M. (iodby, A. M., Ferdinand 
Kenyon, Rev. George B. Winton, A. M., E. 
Lerch and Miss Callie Brook. This institu- 
tion is deservedly popular. The college building 
is a fine structure. 

The Ursuliiie Academy is beautifully located 
on B street, surrounded by large and commodi- 
ous grounds, beautifully ornamented with trees, 
shrubs and flowers. The building is a fine ar- 
chitectural structure in a six-acre plot of ground 
in the center of the city. Sister Alphonse Cas- 
tillo is superioress, assisted by seven other 
sister. Latin, French, Spanish, and vocal and 
instrumental music are taught in this academy. 
There are quite a number of boarders. Xear 
the academy and adjoining St. Rose Church, is 
a large free day-school in charge of Sisters 
Angela Gallagher and Crsuline Maxwell. 

o CD 

The Santa Rosa Ladies Sem'marij is owned 
and presided over the Misses Chase, two excel- 
lent educationists, who give a thorough course 
of instruction and have made this a popular 
institution of learning. The ^[isses Cliase have 
two assistants. 

The Santa Ju/Sfi Yvunij Ladies' Collcije is 
an excellent institution of learning of a very 
high order, with Rev. W. A. Finley, A. M., D. D., 
president, assisted by an able corps of professors 
and teachers. This college stands deservedly 
high. 

I'lre JJejxiftyneitt. The Santa Rosa tire de- 
partment is one of the most notable and the 
most deserving institution in this city. It never 
balks or sulks, liut answers every call upon it, 
whether tu save life or property, regardless of 
any risks to its meml)ers. Tiie Santa Rosa en- 
gine company was organized in 1860. T. L. 
Thompson was the first foreman, C. Kessing first 
assistant, M. Wise second assistant, J. Doycliet 
secretary, and Joe Richardson treasurer. The 
present officers of Engine Company ^o. 1 are: 
i E. P. Colgan, president ; Henry Baker, fore- 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



man ; L. Keser, Jr., tirst assistant ; J. F. Fick, 
second assistant ; M. J. Steining, secretary, and 
J. n. Kicliardson, treasurer. The Santa Rosa 
liook and ladder company was organize(l in 1871:. 
A. Korhel was tirst foreman and J. lioyal was 
lirst assistant. 

City Hall. — In 1883 a very neat building 
for a City Hall was erected. Tlie lower part is 
used for the engine of Santa Kosa Engine Com- 
pany No. 1, and the upstairs for a council cham- 
ber and library rooms. The building is located 
on the east side of the plaza, and is i]uite an or- 
nament to that heretofore neglected part of the 
town. It was built by T. J. Ludwig, at a cost 
of $-1,500. It was a graceful and proper thing 
to do, to house in comfortable and roomy quar- 
ters tlie engine, and to give the brave fellows 
who guard the property of the people a respect- 
able room. It was Justly due them, and no one 
should for a moment complain of the outlay. 
If there is anything to complain of, it is that 
the building is not so good as the company 
deserve. 

One of the most important, if not the most 
important enterprise in Santa Rosa, is I. IJe 
Turk's winery. The buildings occupy an entire 
block between Railroad and Adams streets. Mr. 
Isaac L)e Turk is, we believe, a native of Penn- 
sylvania and commenced planting vines in 181)3 
and laid out a vineyard of twent}- acres near 
Santa Rosa, lie increased this vineyard, and 
added a wine cellar. Later, to take advantage 
of the great (juantity of grapes coming in from 
small vineyards in the vicinity, he established a 
branch winery in Santa Rosa. The Santa Rosa 
winery soon exceeded the home place in extent 
of business. A few years ago, the buihling be- 
ing wood, was partially destroyed by fire, and 
water being scarce, the contents of the vats were 
useil to extinguish the flames. Mr. Do Turk 
immediately rebuilt with Itrick. This building 
is the lower one in the roar of the main and 
larger cellar, and is 100 feet by 6ti feet, two 
stories. This building is also of brick, and like 
the first one two stories high, but lias more 
elevation. The two buildings with tlie yard, 



offices and distillery occupy the entire block, 
and tiie capacity of the establishment is 1,000,- 
000 gallons, and the estimated stock of wine on 
hand at the beginning of this year was said to 
be 700,000 gallons. The cooper's shop, which 
is necessarily a large establishment, is on the 
block opposite to the winery. The winery is 
.said to be the largest in California, that of Sena- 
tor Stanford, at Vina, excepted. The crushing 
room is furnished with two crushers and stem- 
mers each having a capacity of six tons an hour, 
fed by tramway trucks running up from the 
scales. The distillery is in a detached building 
and is fitted with two stills, one for pummace 
and one for wine. Mr. De Turk has been for 
years recognized as one of our leading viticul- 
turists. For two terms he has held the honor- 
able position of State Viticultural Commissioner 
for his district, and has always been respected 
as one of the most experienced and practical 
members of that body. The wines of Mr. De 
Turk are well known all o\'er the United States, 
and it is no uncommon thing to see a train load 
of cars leave his warehouse loaded with wine for 
Chicago, St. Louis or New York. Mr. DeTurk 
has gained a reputation for the purity of his 
wines, and has always been an uncompromising 
ojiponent of advocates of stretching, flavciring, 
cohjring and other schemes of that demon of the 
wine cellar, the so-called " chemist." Mr. De 
Turk's great specialty is his clarets, but it is 
hard to decide whether his choicest product is 
his claret, or his Riesling or his brandy. Mr. 
De Turk makes sweet wines, both red and white, 
and sherries. Santa Rosa may well be proud 
of its enterprising citizen, Isaac De Turk. 

'Tlie Santa Rosa Holler Floui'liuj MUIh has 
a capacity of 200 barrels of Hour a day, besides 
grinding meals, feed, etc., anil would be a credit 
to any city of five times its population. This 
mill affords a home market for much of the 
grain raised on Santa Rosa's fertile plains. 

TIte Santa Rosa Woolen 2Iilh is an enter- 
prise of primary importance to this ])lace, as it 
opens up a home market for the iminense wool 
product of Sonoma County. The looms are of 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNT T. 



the latest design and the inacliinery of the 
most improved kind. It employs foi'ty hands, 
and has a capacity of using 1,400 pounds of 
wool a day. The fabrics it turns out are first- 
class. 

T/ie Santa Horn Tannery is the largest in 
Sonoma County; its yearly product is $50,000. 
This industry is of great importance liere, as 
Sonoma is a great stock-raising county. 

The Santa Rosa Planing Mill is an im- 
mense establisliment, and of great importance, 
as it is so near the great lumber regions of So- 
noma County and as there is a large demand for 
the tanks, casks, etc., which it manufactures 
for wine and water pur])Oses, liesides the im- 
mense amount of building material it tarns 
out. 

The Gas Works ha\e a capacity of 20,000 
cubic feet a day. They use a Cummer engine, 
of 150 horse power. In the electric light de- 
partment are four dynamos with a combined 
capacity of ninety-seven lights. They are run- 
ning eighty-five lights now. They use the 
Thompson ct Houston system. They intend soon 
put in an incandescent dynamo to run sevei'al 
hundred lights at a much less e.xjtense to the 
consumer. The late John A. Pa.xton Mas pre- 
sident of this corporation at the time of his 
death. A. G. Murdock, secretary and super- 
intendent, and the Santa llosa Bank, Treasurer. 



SANTA KOSA OFFICERS. 

li. W. Byington, Mayor; II. II. Churchill, 
Clerk; ^\\ F. Russell, Attorney; W. X. Seawell, 
Recorder; Jacolj J. Lowery. Marshal; E. F. 
Woodward, Treasurer; R. McGeorge, Assessor; 
W. J. Steadman, Street Commissioner. City 
Council: J. W. Warboys, Orin Howell, W. J. 
Doggett J. F. Smith, L. W. Burris, Win. Doran. 

Council meets in regular session, in city hall, 
first Tuesday of each month. 

Police Force — Night Patrol: I. B. Charles, 
E. Gardner, W. S. Mead, S. R. Yoho. 

Public Library: C. E. Ilutton, Rresident; 
R. M. Swain, Seci'etary. Mrs. Binkley, Lib- 
rarian. Open every day (except on Sundays), 
from 1 to 5 and 7 to 9 o'clock r. m. 

Board of Health: Dr. R. Press Smith, Pre- 
sident; J. J. Lowery, Health Ofiicer. 

Fire Depirtment: J. A. Doubleday, Chief 
Engineer; W. II. Lee, First Assistant Engineer; 
J. K. Piggott, Second Assistant Engineer; W. 
J. Steadman, Fire Marshal. 

Board i>f Education: J. U. Barnett, Presi- 
dent; George Hall, Secretary; L. E. lloud. As- 
sessor and Collector. 

Santa liosa Board of Trad,': A. P. Overlon, 
President; B.M. Spencer, First Vice-President; 
S. I. Allen, Second Vice-President; J. W. 
Warboys, Secretary; W. E. McConnell, Treas- 
urer. 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 




t-^- 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

ToWX-ilHP HISTOKV — ^nKIiaX OF NAME ClIKOXOLOdlCAL Bl'SIXESS INTERESTS CHURCITES THE PRESS. 



f[L8EWlIERE mention has been made of 
tlie earliest residents and fonnders of Peta- 
. luma. Also an epitome of the record fur- 
nished by the Sonoma County Journal from 
August, 1855, to August, 1866, gives the prog- 
ress made up to that date, and the names of 
most of those identified with the founding of 
Petaluma. We now give a resume of the most 
important events historic of both Petaluma 
Township and the city of Petaluma. 

The origin or meaning of the word " Petalu- 
ma" is yet a mooted question, but it is agreed 
that it is an Indian word, signifying either 
'•duck hills," or '-little hills." Petaluma is 
situated at the head of navigation on the Peta- 
luma Creek, a tide-stream that is an arm of San 
Pablo Bay. The first authentic history extant 
of the navigation of tliis creek is, that it was 
ascended in 1776, by Captain Quiros and a 
party of explorers, with the expectation of find- 
ing in it a connecting channel between the bays 
of San Francisco and Podcga. The next authen- 
tic record of a vi.iit to this valley is that of 
Father Altimira, in 1823, in search of aplace to 
found a mission. In 1836 General M. G. Val- 
lejo built the first house in Petaluma A'alley. 
The building, a large adobe structure, now fast 
crumbling to ruins, stands in fair view three 
miles eastward of Petaluma. While as early as 
1850 there svei'e but a few Americans in the 
neighborhood of the present site of Petaluma, 

16 



mostly engaged killing game that abounded 
here in great profusion, yet the first permanent 
locations were made here for business and trade 
in 1851. Some time in the latter part of 
1851, or the early part of 1852, the first move 
was in the direction of platting a town and of- 
fering lots for sale. The location was happily 
chosen, for the head of navigation on the Pet- 
aluma Creek was to the vast scope of rich agri- 
cultural and grazing lands lying l)ack of it what 
the Bay of San F'rancisco was to the balance of 
the State. As population poured into the sur- 
rounding country it accelerated the growth and 
business of Petaluma. This growth has been 
of a steady, healthy clniracter, and now when 
having reached a population of over 5,000, it 
can be truthfully said that Petaluma is \\\ as 
prosperous and thrifty a condition as any other 
city of its size on the Pacific coast. Its growth 
has not been spasmodic and forced, but healthy 
and permanent. For an interior city of a little 
over thirty years' growth, the people have rea- 
son to be proud of Petaluma, and feel that her 
future growth and development will not be a 
discredit to her jjast history. 

Turning to the journals of the day we cull 
the following, which we give in tlie chronologi- 
cal order in which we find them recorded: 

November 7, 1856 — Rev. A. A. Baker, pastor 
of tlie Congregational Church, makes a plea in 
behalf of improving the Petaluma cemetery. 



344 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



December 5, 1856 — Mr. J. Dickinson, broth- 
er of the afterward famous Miss Anna Dickin- 
son, was teaching a private school in Petaluraa. 

November 20, 1857— The Petaluma Hook 
and Ladder Company was organized. 

July 17,1857 — The Congregational Church, 
Petaluma, M-as dedicated —Rev. J. A. Benton, 
of Sacramento, delivering the discourse. 

August 13, 1857 — At the close of term of 
the Petaluma public school, Mr. James Den- 
man, principal, delivered an able address. 

May 14,1857 — A draw-bridge was completed 
at the crossing of the Petaluma Creek, on 
Washington street. 

January 15, 1858 — The first flour-mill of 
Petaluma commenced operations. 

On the 12t]i of April, 1858, the California 
Legislature enacted a city charter for Petaluma. 

On April 23rd, 1858, the first city election 
was held and the following otticers elected: 

Trustees: W. L. Anderson. "Wm. Elder, 
Sam'l. Tustin, E. IJ. Cooper, AVm. Ordway; 
Recorder, William Haydon ; Treasurer, L. Lam- 
berton; Marshal, J. H. Siddons; Assessor, 
Moses Arms. 

Ordinance No. 1, formulated by this Board of 
Trustees, was promulgated on the 21st of May. 
Of these, the first officers of the city of Peta- 
luma, W. L. Anderson and E. B. Cooper are 
the only ones now living. 

June 25, 1858 — McCune"s Hlock, and several 
otlier substantial buildings completcil in Peta- 
luma. 

July 4, 1858 — This was a memorable natal 
day in Petaluma. The eloquent orator. Colonel 
E. D. Baker, delivered the oration. There were 
banner presentations by the ladies of Petaluma 
to the Fire Engine and Ilook and Ladder com- 
panies, and also a banner presentation to the 
Congregational Sabbath-school. 

September 24, 1858 — The Congregational 
Church procured a 600 pound bell. 

(October 8, 1858— The Baptist Church pur- 
chased a bell weighing 1,000 pounds. It is the 
bell used by tiie San Francisco A'igilance Com- 
mittee in 1856. 



June 17, 1859 — The steamer Rambler, built 
to run between Petaluma and San Francisco, 
was completed. 

July 1, 1859 — Colonel E. D. Baker and Be- 
laud Stanford addressed a Republican meeting at 
Petaluma. 

August 12, 1S59 — The corner-stone of the 
Petaluma brick school building was laid with 
appropriate ceremonies. 

September 2, 1859 — The ladies of Petaluma 
2)resentetl a banner to the Petaluma Guards. 

September 23, 1859 — The celebrated traveler. 
Bayard Taylor, lectured in Petaluma. 

October 14, 1859 — Announcement was made 
that a new Journal, the Petaluma Argu'<, was to 
be published, J. J. Pennypacker, proprietor. 

December 9, 1859-^Dr. T. A. Ilylton, a pio- 
neer physician of Petaluma, died suddenly while 
crossing the mountains to Nevada Territory. 

February 10, 1860 — St. John's Episcopal 
Church, Petaluma, was consecrated. 

Novemljer 30, 1860 — The schooner Elsie J. 
Cline, twenty-two tons burthen, liuilt at Peta- 
luma, was safely launched. 

December 21, 1861 — A savings and loan 
society was organized. 

April 20, 1861 — A tannery was started in 
Petaluma by C. II. Bailey. 

February 4, 1862 — Dr. S. W. Brown, one of 
Petaluma's most respected and esteemed citizens, 
and a sterling patron of education, died very 
suddenly. 

April 9, 1862 — The Legislature amended the 
city charter of Petaluma. 

September 17, 1862 — The Ortega claim to 
the Arroyo de San Antonio grant finally rejected. 

April 15, 1863 — J. C. Bradbury was found 
dead in his room. lie was a brother of W. B. 
Bradljury. the noted composer of music. Mr. 
Bradl)ury was an architect, and built the Congre- 
gational Church in Petaluma and the Two 
Rock Church. He had many friends, and was 
his own worst enemy. He sleeps in an unmarked 
grave in the old cemetery. 

June 3, 1863 — The Petaluma Guards pre- 
sented a sword to Captain P. B. Hewlett. 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



245 



July 4r, 1863— Hon. Newton Booth delivered 
the oration at Petahuna. 

December 23, 1863 — Arteiniis Ward (Charles 
Brown), the celebrated wit, lectured in Petaluina. 

December 23, 1863 — Fetaliima for the lirst 
tinje was lighted with gas. 

May 26, 1864— McN ear BrotliL^rs built a brick 
warehouse 150 feet square. 

July 21,1864: — Rev. Doctor Uellows acknowl- 
edges the receipt of $2,000 from the ladies of 
Petaluma in aid of the Sanitary Commission, for 
tlie relief of Union soldiei's during the civil war. 

September 8, 1864 — The steamboat Ware- 
house, owned by Colonel Joshua H. Lewis, was 
burned, together with a large amount of freiglit. 

April 20, 1865 — Petaluma was draped in 
mourning on account of the assassination of 
Lincoln. There was a funeral procession, and 
I'rofessor E. S. Lijjpett delivered an elorpient 
oration. 

It may not be inappropriate here to quote the 
following tribute from the Petaluma Argus of 
April 20, 1865: 

"Fullness of speech may not be indulged, 
while a sable-clad nation weeps at the tomb of 
its mighty fallen. Pearly drops from humid 
eyes speak a language that tongue cannot utter, 
nor pen indite; the language of the heart as it 
has been since the stars sang together on the 
morn'of creation. As Mary knelt weeping by 
the sepnlclire of the world's Pedeemei', eigh- 
teen hundred years ago, even so now a nation 
mourns at the tomb of its saviour. The harsh 
notes of trumpet-tongued courier did not blazon 
his fall, but from where the boisterous Atlantic 
hurls its crested waves against Plymouth liock 
to where the placid Pacific laves our golden 
shores, the swift-winged messenger, with the 
rapidity of thought, and the low cadence of sum- 
mer winds, told the story of tlie assassin's deed; 
and scarce had the vaulted arch of Heaven been 
cleft to receive his noble spirit up on high, liefore 
around a million hearts sat unmanned manhood 
weeping, as it is seemly that women alone might 
weep. Never since the earth reeled as if rocked 
by a mighty tempest, and the vail of the temple 



was rent in twain, has mankind, universal, bled 
in the representative of principle so pure, so 
lofty, and so God-like in their adaptability to all 
the wants and requirements of humanity', the 
world over, as in the person of Auk ah am Lincoln. 
Not like the meteor's fitful gleam athwart the 
sky, fading into the dark chaos of night, has been 
his going out; but as the bright orb of day 
sinking to rest behind the western hills leaves 
its last golden rays illumining the mountain 
gorge, and beetling clitf, so too will the light of 
his pui"e self-sacrificing devotion to justice and 
freedom, irradiate the dark corners of the 
earth, and the history of his life, and the story 
of his death, will be assigned a place in the 
world's archives; will be read by the glare of 
lamps, trimmed by servile hands, and do the 
bidding of those who claim to rule by right 
Divine; will be studied by peasants on sunny 
plains and Alpine hills; and yet farther on, 
where day and night comes and goes but ouce a 
year, the fur-clad Laplander, by the amber 
light of the Aurora Borealis will read the story 
and pray that the assassin who struck him down, 
may be exiled to some frigid clime, where even 
the rays of a polar sun may be denied him. A 
chieftain has fallen ; his grave is in the hearts 
of his countrymen; let those pay heed whose 
foul tongues, in unbridled license, have aspersed 
his name! The assassin has done your work! 
Leave us alone with our dead!" Thus had the 
mighty fallen! 

" Hush, tlie Dead March wails iu the people's ears ; 
The dark crowd moves, aud there are sobs and tears; 
The black earth yawns ; the mortal disappears, 
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust; 
He is gone who seemed so great — 
Gone; but nothing can bereave him 
Of the force he made his own 
Being here, aud we believe him 
Something far advanced in stale. 
And that he wears a truer crown 
Than any wreath that man can weave him. 
Speak no more of his renown, 
Lay your earthly fancies down. 
And iu the vast cathedral leave him. 
God accept him, Christ receive him.'' 

June 15, 1865 — The cornerstone of the new 



246 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Methodist Episcopal Church was laid, liev. M. 
C. Briggi^ officiating. 

Deeeiiiljcr 7, 18(55 — A'ice- President Sclniyler 
Colfax visited relatives in Petahuiia, and was 
waited upon l)y a large delegation of her people, 
to whom he delivered an eloquent address. 

June 28, 1866 — A fire occurred in I'etaluina 
destroying several buildings, among tlicm tlic 
Franlilin and Sullivan hotels. 

August 30, 1860— The boiler of the locomo- 
tive that was used for the carrying of passen- 
gers and freight between Petaluma and the 
" Haystack Landing," exploded at the l^eta- 
luma warehouse, killitig the engineer; Dodge, 
the warehouse keeper; J. II. Lewis, the owner 
of the building, and a boy- named Thompson. 
Several otliers were injured. 

December 20, 18(i6 — Tiburico A'asquez, the 
afterward notorious banditti, was arrested by 
city marshal, James H. Knowles, for burglar- 
izing a store. County Judge C. W. Langdon, 
sentenced him to four years at San Quinten. 
lie served his time out, aud developed into a 
full-Hedged robber. He paid the penalty of his 
crimes on the gallows at San Jose about 1875. 

January 3, 1867 — A public library was or- 
ganized under the auspices of the Odd Fellows 
society. It was finally merged into a city 
library, aud now has several thousand volumes. 

January 10, 1867 — AVm. Ordway, one of 
I'etaluma's most widely known and successful 
mechanics, passed away. 

April 4, 1867 — The convent, school ij^ the 
Catholic Church was duly inaugurated, and for 
many years was a prominent educational institu- 
tion under thedirection of the Sistei-s of Charity. 

June 13, 1867 — The ladies of the Congrega- 
tional Church presented the Petaluma Guards, 
Captain James Armstrong con:mandiiig, an 
elegant banner. 

August 1, 1867 — A planing mill and sash 
factory was put in succesful operation in East 
Petaluma. 

September 12, 1867 — Petaluma lost one of 
her oldest and most enterprising citizens, by 
the deatli of Captain T. F. Baylis. 



September 26, 1867 — The city of Petaluma 
added a new engine tu its fire-department. 

September 26, 1867 — Professor E. S. Lippitt 
started a high school in Petaluma. 

October 10, 1867 — Solomon Pearce, a higidy 
respected citizen, met witli a railroad accident 
in Napa Valley, which resulted in his death. 

March 12, 1868 — A soap factoi-y was estali- 
lished in Petaluma. 

June 25, 1868 — E. Z. C. Judson (Xed Bunt- 
line) delivered a temperance lecture in I'etaluma. 

July 16, 1868 — Petaluma was scourged with 
the small pox. There were ten or fifteen deaths. 

July 23, 1868 — Petaluma had a pottery in 
successful operation. 

October 1, 1868 — Petaluma was visited with 
a disastrous fire. The American hotel and sev- 
eral other valuable buildings were destroyed. 

October 8, 1868 — Uriah Edwards fell a victim 
to the small-pox. He was an old and lionored 
citizen, having served the county in the State 
Legislature. 

October 22, 1868 -The Mutual Relief Associ- 
ation of Petaluma was organized. 

September 9, 1869 — Mr. and Mrs. TomThumli 
visited Petaluma. 

March 15, 1870 — A company was organized 
to build a theater. A fine edifice was erected 
and opened to the public on the 10th of October. 

April 9, 1870 — Petaluma lost a good and 
valuable citizen by the death of Dr. "Wm. 15ur- 
nett. He was a State Senator at the time of 
his demise. 

January 21, 1S71 — Louis Parnes (colored) 
died at a ri]>e old age. He had been a slave the 
most of his life. He was esteemed by all who 
knew him. 

July 22, 1871 — The corner stone of Odd 
Fellows Block was laid, with appropriate cere- 
monies. 

Xovember 11, 1871--Captain J. S. Cutter, 
one of the firm of Baylis cV: Co., passed away. 
He had been a good and useful citizen. 

March 23, 1872--Petalnina was visited by a 
destructive fire whicrh swept away ^75. 000 worth 
of property. 



niSTORY 0^ SOIfOJtA COVlfTf. 



247 



April 20, 1872 — The water t-uinpanies uf 
Petalnma were consolidated, and action was 
taken to secure a larger supply of water. 

^[ay 18, 1872 — This was a season of great im- 
provement in Petaluma. The estimated cost of 
the buildings erected was ift225,0O0. 

June 22, 1872 — S. Levy, one of I'etaluma's 
larii;est dry goods merchants, died. 

July 0, 1872 — A joint-stock manufacturing 
company was formed iti Petaluma. A full out- 
fit was purchased and a woolen mill was set in 
operation. 

September 13, 1872 — (Jencral Joseph Hook- 
er visited Petaluma, where he spent several 
days, the guest I. G. Wickersham, and family. 

October 25, 1872 — The new Washington 
Hotel was completed and oi^ened to the public. 

January 10, 1873 — The Miranda claim to 
the Arroyo de San Antonio grant, on which 
Petaluma stands, was finally confirmed by the 
United States Supreme Court. 

April 25,1873 — Simon ("onrad, oneof Pet- 
aluma's most energetic mechanics, who carried 
on a large blacksmithing establishment, died. 

June 27, 1873 — Petaluma was visited by a 
destructive fire, and the American Hotel ai.d 
adjacent buildings were again reiluced to ashes. 

July 4, 1873 — Petaluma was again called 
upon to part with one of its respected and pioneer 
citizens, Dr. J. L. Bond. 

July 25, 1873 — The last member of the old 
firm of T. F. Paylis & Co., Captain 1). SnlHvan, 
paid the last debt of nature. 

January 2, 1874 — Petaluma was again visited 
with a destructive fire. 

January 23, 1874 — E. C. Thomas, a promi- 
nent citizen of Petaluma, and a son of liev. E. 
Thomas who was killed in the (ieneral ('anby 
massacre by tlie Modnc Indians,. died in Peta- 
luma. 

March 13, 1874 — Uev. John L. Stephens, 
who had grown up in Petaluma, was most foully 
murdered in Ahulco, ^Mexico, where* he had 
gone as a Protestant missionary. His remains 
were brought back and now repose in (^ypress 
Hill Cemetery. 



May 1, 1874 — Charles Cobb died, why was 
long a machinist in the foundry of C. P. Hatch, 
Petaluma. 

May 22, 1874.^John J. Ellis, formerly a 
citizen of Petaluma, and once sheriff of Sonoma 
County, was frozen to ileath in Nevada Territory. 

September 25, 1874— The First National Gold 
Pank of California was organized at Petaluma, 
with I. G. Wickerham as president, and H. H. 
Atwater as cashier. 

January 1, 1875— J. P. Lookie, one of i'eta- 
luma's valued citizens, passed away. 

January 1, 1875 — Tiie new Methodist Epis- 
copal Church was formally dedicated. 

January 15, 1875 — Petaluma lost an old-time 
and valued citizen in the person of Deacon Jacob 
Gilbert. 

July (), 1875 — 1'he coriier-.'^tone of the new 
Catholic Ciiurch of Pi'taluina was laid with be- 
coming ceremonies. 

September 24, 1875 ('. P. Thomas, a son of 
Ezra Thomas, killed in the Canby massacre by 
the ]\[odoc Indians, died in Petaluma. 

March 3, 1870 — The centennial building of 
John Pfun was completed. 

April 21, 1876— Captain C. M. Baxter, long 
acaptainon the Minturn line of steamers i)lying 
between Petaluma and San Francisco, died. 

May 19, 1876— The Petaluma Catholic 
Church was formally dedicated. 

July 14, 1870— A. C. St. John, a prominent 
dealer in improved breeds of stock, died. 

Septendier 22, lS76-Wm. Elder died, who 
was one of Petaluma's most respected jiioneer 
merchants. 

September 29, 1876— .\. G. Medley, who was 
one of Petaluma's earliest jewelers, died. 

December 29, 1876 — Wm. B. Spear, a prom- 
inent capitalist of Petaluma, died. 

January 19, 1877 — Stephen I 'ay ran, long a 
resident of East Petalnma and for many veai\s 
a justice of tlie peace, died. 

April 20, 1877 Petaluma has an exciting 
time in deciding whether or not a colored boy 
answering to the unusual name of "Jones," shall 
be admitted to the privilege of iier public schools. 



248 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



June 8, 1877 — Parker E. Weeks, an old-time 
resident of Petaluma, passed on. 

August 24, 1877 — " Cogniac,"' a Norman 
stallion that acquired the title of the " man 
eater," killed a man at the Petaluma Fair 
Grounds. Cugniac took tlie man and shook 
him like a dog would a rabbit, until he was 
dead. The horse was valued at 810,000, but he 
was a terror to humanity. 

October 12, 1877— F. D. Colton, long a law- 
yer of prominence in Petaluma, died in San 
Francisco. 

February 22, 1878 — J. N. McCune, a former 
resident of Petaluma, but for many years a 
commission merchant of San Francisco, died. 

March 15, 1878 — D. D. Cardie, a lawyer and 
one of Petaluma's pioneer citizens, died. 

Jnue 14, 1878— X. O. Stafford, a pioneer res- 
ident of Petaluma, died at Tustin City, Los 
Angelos County. 

August 9, 1878 — J. M. ]>owles started a new 
flowering mill in Petaluma. 

September 6, 1878 — Martin llarr, the manu- 
facturer of the celebrated saddle-trees bearing 
his name, died. 

September 0, 1878 — Kev. Henry Ward 
Beecher, the eminent pulpit orator, delivered a 
lecture in Petaluma. 

October IS, 1S78— Petaluma sent sl,u97.25 
to the yellow fever sufferers of the South. 

November 29, 1878 — Daniel S. Lane, who 
for eight years had been a principal writer on 
the Argus staff, died. 

November 14, 1879 — Captain Edward Lata- 
pie, long of Petaluma, until elected county 
sheriff', died. 

April 30, 1880— F. P. McNear, assistant 
cashier of tlie l>ank of Sonoma Count}', died. 

March 4, 1881 — Harlow Hinkston, an aged 
gentleman of Petaluma, died. 

May 13, 1881— Captain Weimer sold tlie 
steamer Pilot to A. McFnrland & Co. 

June 3, 1881 — Wm. II. Dalton, one of Peta- 
Inma's most valued business men, died. 

June 22, 1881 — A California lion of large 
size was killed within the limits of Petaluma. 



May 12, 1882 — The new water reservoir for 
Petaluma, with a capacity of 2,500,000, was 
completed. 

June 2, 1882 — Captain Oliver Allen, an 
esteemed citizen, died. 

July 28, 1882— Josiah Chandler, one of the 
oldest citizens of Petaluma and a lawyer of good 
ability, died. 

March 3, 1883 — A company was organized 
and a fruit caimer}' started in Petaluma. 

May 19, 1883 — A. J. J. Pearce, a young man 
of prominence in Petaluma, died. 

May 26, 1883 — The steamer Pilot blew up a 
few miles below Petaluma, and seven lives were 
lost. 

December 8, 1883 — The Main street of 
Petaluma was being paved with basalt blocks. 

February 16, 1884— Hon. A. P. Whitney, 
one of Petaluma's most stirring business men, 
died. 

July 5, 1884 — G. R. Codding, who had long 
been identified with Petaluma, died. 

August 16, 1884 — A fruit dryer was put in 
operation in Petaluma. 

September 13, 1884 — Dr. J. B. Christie, one 
of Petaluma's most cultured professional men, 
died. 

September 27, 1884 — Colonel Robert Inger- 
soll, the great orator, lectured in Petaluma. 

December 6, 1884 — Dr. Isaac L. Dias, a 
dentist and quite an inventor, was killed 
accidentally while hunting. 

December 13. 1884 — Captain James Kennell v, 
a well-known and much respected mechanic, 
died. 

December 27, 1884— The Petaluma Golden 
Eagle Flour Mills were burned. 

April 18, 1885 — Dr. A. P. Lovejoy, a dentist 
and for many years telegraph operator in 
Petaluma, died. 

September 19, 1885— "Josh Billings" (H. 
W. Shaw), the humorist, lectured in Petaluma. 
It was ne.xt to the last lecturS he ever delivered, 
as he died very suddenly at the Hotel Del 
Monte, Monterey, a few days thereafter. 

October 17, 1885 — Captain Cornelius Iloyer, 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



249 



wlio bad liad long experience as a sea captain, 
died at a rijie old age. 

April 24, 1886— William L. Van Doren, an 
old-time resident, and a pioneer hotel-keeper in 
Petaluma, died. 

September 4, 1886 — Tbe residence of Mr. 
Henry Homes, of Petaluma, was burned, and 
his little daughter Pearl, nine years of age, 
perished in the flames. 

October 9, 1886— Henry (ioldstein, who had 
been in business in Petaluma over a quarter of 
a century, died. 

October 10, 1886 — Jerome B. Gossage, an old 
resident near Petaluma, died. 

October 25, 1886— J. McA. Brown was 
thrown violently from his vehicle and sustained 
injuries that resulted in death. 

October 30, 1886— C. P. Bigsby, one of the 
first niembers of the Congregational Church in 
Petaluma, died. 

November 6, 1886— AVilliam D. Bliss, one of 
Petaluma's most cultured citizens, and a lawyer 
of long practice, died. His mother, now de- 
ceased a few years, was the wife of George 
Bancroft, the American historian. 

December 3, 1887 — Jolin i'owman, an octo- 
genarian, and esteemed by all, died. 

December 17, 1887 — Ifenry Gregory, a good 
and useful citizen, died suddenly at his brother's 
ranch in the country. 

December 24, 1887 — Julius Bloom was killed 
at Petaluma by a railroad accident. He was 
city marshal of Petaluma. 

December 31, 1887— AVilliam L. Keys, than 
whom amore conscientious man never lived, died. 

January 22, 1888— H. Haskell, an old-time 
merchant of Petaluma, died. 

January 22, 1888 — James D. Thompson, one 
of Petaluma's oldest citizens, died. 

February 4, 1888 — Joshua S! Brackett, one 
of Sonoma County's pioneers, died. 

March 3, 1888 — Deacon David Stuart, a good 
and exemplary citizen, died. 

May 5, 1888 — The corner-stone of the Catho- 
lic convent buildinj; was laid with the usual 



ceremonies. 



July 28, 1888— By the death of Dr. W. W. 
Carpenter, Petaluma lost one of its most cul- 
tured citizens. 

AVe have given in their chronological order 
the deaths of many of Petaluma's pioneer and 
prominent men. It is in place to mention the 
names of some of the matrons who were pioneer 
residents of Petaluma. In the Petaluma Argus 
of June 11, 1880, we find the following: 

" Thursday last was the occasion of a very 
pleasant gathering of aged ladies in this city, at 
the residence of Mrs. Jacob Gilbert, who on 
that day had reached her seventy-eighth birth- 
day. Some seventeen of her aged lady friends 
organized a surprise and in a body called upon 
Mrs. Gilbert. Although it may not be con- 
sidered very gallant in us to give to the world 
the respective ages of these mothers in Israel, 
yet, as we have them from one who knows, we 
give them as follows: Mrs. Button, Vermont, 
70; Mrs. Colby, Vermont, 73; Mrs. AVeber, 
A^ermont, 75; Mrs. Otis, Vermont, 71; Mrs. 
Pierce, Vermont, 06; Mrs. Donaldson, New 
York, 70; Mrs. Pickett, New York, 78; Mrs. 
Gilbert, New York, 78; Mrs. Cooper, New 
York, 66; Mrs. Sweatland, Massachusetts, 79; 
Mrs. Eickert, Massachusetts, 64; Mrs. Mc- 
Curdy, Maine, 76; Mrs. Lewis, Virginia, 62; 
Mrs. (Barrett, Maine, 60; Mrs. AVilliams, Maine, 
88; Mrs. Galispie, Indiana, 60; Mrs. Keys, 
England, 06; Mrs. Brown, Ohio, 79. Total 
ages, 1,287; average ages, seventy-one years 
and six months. Of the eighteen assembled 
sixteen were widows. AYe presume that these 
now aged matrons little dreamed in the long 
ago that life's sunset would find them on the 
golden shores of the Pacific." 

Of these aged ladies who met in social re- 
union in 1880, at the present writing (1888), 
the feet of two thirds of them have pressed 
already the summit between earth and the illim- 
itable vales of the great evermore. 

Below we give a fair statement of the magni- 
tude and importance of Petaluma, its industries 
and advantages: 

Petaluma lias a present population of nearly 



250 



BISTORT OP SOlfOMA OOXJNTf. 



5,000. She is located about thirty-eight miles 
by rail, north of San Francisco. She commands 
the head of navigation on an arm of San Pablo 
Kay, and occupies a position of freight advant- 
ages, considering- the vast amount of produce of 
which she is the shipping center, enjoyed by no 
other city of the size in the State. Back of, 
and tributary to Petaluma, is an extent of rich 
teri'itory of an average of twelve miles in width 
and twenty miles in lengtii, that sends all of its 
]iroduce this way, including nuicli produced 
outside of these lines that seeks IVtaiunia for 
vheap transportation. 

Referring back to statistics published we find 
the foHowing in reference to the magnitude of 
the railroad tratHc between Tetaluma and San 
Francisco: In 1877 the railroad company took 
in for passenger fares !?213,879.23; fur freight, 
i^208,25G.OO ; for other items, §;8,546.13 ; a 
trrand total of $-1:30,081.36. By reference to a 
statistical article it will be seen what the traffic 
on the creek mute was in 1880. By combining 
these figures of the two carrying routes the 
reader will get an approximate idea of the busi- 
ness of I'etaluma and surrounding country at 
the present time. 

In' order that people of future generations 
may rightly understand the extent of Petaluma 
as a trade-center we submit the following com- 
pilation of statistics for the year 1880. These 
statistics were prepared by I. G. AVickersham, 
.John A. McNear and A. P. Whitney (since de- 
ceased) and submitted to the city rrustees of 
Petaluma at the time Congressional aid was be- 
ing asked to straighten tlie creek. The report 
is prefaced by saying: "The steamer Pilot 
makes daily trips to and from San Francisco, 
and in addition to her freight, has carried 13,000 
passengers. Thirty schooners, of an average 
tonnage of lifty tons, are engaged regularly in 
the trade, and about twenty other transient 
schooners a portion of the year. AVe have not 
included in our estimate shipments made over 
the railroad by way ot Donahue, many shippers 
preferring that route on account of the delay 
and uncertainty of time by tiie creek." The 



following showing was then made for the year 
on the creek route alone: 

Wheat, 28,825tons; barley, 3,000 tons; oats, 
3,425 tons; potatoes, 9,997 tons; bran and mid- 
dlings, 375 tons; corn, 250 tons; hay, 5,700 
tons; coal, 1,800 tons; fruit, G0,000 boxes, 
1,333 tons; butter, 1,277 tons; cheese, 129 
tons; salt, 200 tons; wool, 81 tons; leather, 80 
tons; other and mixed merchandise, 31,200 
tons; eggs, 95,6(58 dozen; wood, 1,000 cords; 
tan-bark, 250 cords; brick, 100,000; lumber, 
1,230,000 feet; lime, 1,000 barrels; basalt pav- 
ing blocks, 1,583,000; live-stock, 53,200 head; 
poultry, 5,380 dozen; quail and other game, 
5,100 dozen; hides (green), 6,418; sheep pelts, 
5,110. 

It should be remembered that all these figures 
relate to the ti-affic for one year by water route 
between Petaluma and San Francisco, and that 
there must be added thereto the heav^- business 
done by way of the railroad. 

Another great advantage which Petaluma 
possesses — and which can never be taken from 
her — is competition between rail and water in 
getting her products to market. There are no 
hydraulic miners on the high ground to fill up 
the channel with debris. Xo farmers are im- 
poverishing the soil hy washing the finer par- 
ticles into the stream by irrigation, for here 
irrigation is unknown and entirely unnecessar}-, 
as nature abundantly sup23lies us with the neces- 
sary' moisture from the clouds to produce a crop 
in the drj^est years. For a town of only 5,000 
inhabitants, Petaluma enjoys a very large trade. 
The merchants of Petaluma, in consequence of 
the low freights to San Francisco, can pay a 
higher price for produce than otliers not so well 
situated. The town is surrounded b}' a rich and 
productive country, and all tlie produce of this 
region is shipped from here. Among the many 
advantages J^etaluma possesses as a place for 
residence, it may be mentioned that the death 
rate is as low here as it is in any town of its 
size that we have any account of. The climate is 
as near perfect as could be reasonably desired. 
The temperature, as will be seen by the table 



fflSfOSY OF SONOMA OOtrNff. 



^51 



furnished by the accommodating agent of the 
S. F. & N. P. R. II., appearing in another col- 
umn, is ahout as even as at San Diego. It is 
rarely below 32° in the winter or above 90^ in 
the summer months. Petalnma lias more clear, 
sunny days tlian any place on the Pacitic coast 
from which the Signal Service makes reports — 
except Fort i'uma. Petaluina is abundantly 
sujiplied with good, pure water from the Sonoma 
Mountains. The manufacturing industries are 
quite an important item — and constantly grow- 
ing. The public and private schools, the high- 
school, are a credit to tlie place, and our school 
facilities will soon be materially enlarged. She 
lias a tine public library, and churches of all 
denominations — e.xcept Mormon. The business 
streets are paved with basalt rock blocks, and all 
the streets are liberally lighted with gas. Liv- 
ing is clieap in Petaluma, and the markets well 
supplied with fresh vegetables every month in 
the year, that are raised in this city and its im- 
mediate vicinity. In order to reach Petaluma 
from San Francisco, get on the Tiburon ferry- 
boat at the foot of Market street and it will 
land you at the cars which run through the 
M'hoie length of Sonoma County. You can ob- 
tain an excursion ticket to Petaluma and return 
for $1. If you have plenty of time and wish 
-to see the splendid bays of San Francisco and San 
Pablo, and the fine scenery on the way, take the 
steamer (fol(/, which leaves Jackson -street wharf 
every day at 2:30 v. m. The fare by this route 
is 50 cents, including the ride in the 'bus from 
the steamer landing to the hotels in Petaluma. 
There is not another city in the State of its 
size that has as good a system of water-works as 
lias Peteluma. The water comes pure from the 
streams of the Sonoma Mountains about four 
miles distant and rills a reservoir of near three 
million gallons capacity. This reservoir is at 
such an altitude as to give great pressure upon 
the water pipes of the city. As a consequence 
our numerous hydrants give almost absolute 
security against tires. This, in addition to our 
excellent lire department, reduces tire insurance 
to the lowest rate. 



Petaluma has as complete a system of gas 
works as is to be found in the State. All the 
leading streets are illuminated. On account of 
the cheap transportation of coal the gas is fur- 
nished at prices as low as in any city outside of 
San Francisco. The gas works are of capacity 
sufficient to accommodate a large increase ot 
population. 

The health of a city is largely dependent 
upon good sewerage. Petaluma, in this respect, 
occupies a most favored position. Twice a day, 
with a rise and fall of six feet, salt water fi-esh 
from San Francisco I'ay ebbs and Hows through 
the city. The streets have ample grade, and a 
thorough system of stone-pipe sewers precipi- 
tates the drainage into this ever moving salt 
water. Tiiere are inland cities of California 
that would gladly give $100,000 for Petal uma's 
drainage facilities. 

Masonic Temple is an imposing sti-ucturc 
erected by the Masonic lodges of IMastei- Ma- 
sons of Petaluma fit a cost of about ife40,000. 
It is a three-story building, and the hall, proper, 
is one of the most ornate rooms in the State, in 
which two lodges of JVEasons, the chajiter of 
Iloyal Arch Masons, the Knights Templar and 
the Eastern Star hold their stated meetings. 

The Mutual Relief Association of Petaluma, 
out of its reserve fund, has built one of the 
finest three-story, tire-proof buildings in the 
county. 

The new city hall is a very imjiosing struct- 
ure, and cost the city over $16,000. It is an 
ornament to the city, and strangers visiting 
here will see in it a sample of Petaluma's thrift 
and prosperity. But few cities in the State can 
afl;brd so elegant an editice simply for municipal 
purposes. 

The Petaluma Tannery is an old and well 
established manufacturing establishment of 
Petaluma. The out-put of leather from this 
establishment is very large every year, and it 
takes rank with the best leather manufactured 
west of the Rocky Jfountains. This tannery 
has been in successful o]ieration tor twelve or 
tifteen years. 



252 



BISTORT OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



Mr. W. Worth who had previously occupied 
the position of superiuteudent and foreman of 
tiie great Union Iron Works of San Francisco, 
came to Petahuiia in 1880 and bouglit out the 
foundry business then owned by Mr. Hatch. 
On his actpiring possession he turned liis at- 
tention to the wants of Sonoma and Marin 
counties, the former being largely interested in 
grape growing and wine making, and the latter . 
principally dairying. Mr. Worth, who pos- 
sesses more than ordinary genius for mechanical 
appliances, has patented his justly celebrated 
dairy horse-power, which has proved a great 
success and can be found in nearly all well 
e(iuipped dairies in the State. He next turned 
his mind to assist the vigneron in the produc- 
tion of wines, and therefore manufactured a wine 
press, which he had invented and patented in 
1884. Previous to Mr. Worth's introducing 
his press there was in use the old Spanish style 
of press, consisting merely of a timber 20x24 
inches thick and about thirty feet long, built 
usually where they could find a tree for a ful- 
crum using a basket held by two hoops with the 
staves bolted to them, leaving spaces between 
for the juice to escape. 

The Petaluma Woolen Mills have the rcjiuta- 
tion of turning out theltest flannels and blankets 
manufactured in the State. Its flannels are in 
such demand that our local merchants can hardly 
secure their fair share for 4he home trade. As 
time progresses its manufacturing capacity will 
be enlarged and we expect to see the day when 
the woolen goods manufactured in Petaluma 
will be sought for far and wide. The wool from 
Sonoma, Mendocino and Humboldt counties is 
the best and cleanest in the State, which enables 
this mill to do superior work. 

Petaluma is not behind any city in the State 
of her size in reference to her capacity to turn 
out good merchantable flour. The Oriental 
Mills have for long years turned out a good 
quality of domestic flour, and have built up a 
wide trade. The Golden Eagle ililling Co. has 
established a large manufactory by the roller 
process, which is turning out flour of as good 



quality as can be found in the State. This mill 
is a four-story brick structure with one of the 
largest warehouses in the county from whicii 
it draws choice grain for milling purposes. 

Petaluma has become famous for its manu- 
facture of wagons and carts. All up and down 
the State her wheeled vehicles are in common 
use. This attests that our various manufactur- 
ers in this line have the capacity and mechani- 
cal skill to mar.ufacture all kinds of wheeled 
vehicles of best quality and pattern. Wher- 
ever you go in California you see Petaluma 
inscribed upon the axles of vehicles. 

K^ext to natural advantages a manufacturing 
enterprise is conducive to the welfare of any 
community in which it is situated, but when one 
like the Petaluma Fruit Packing Company, 
purchasing the products of the surrounding 
country, paying the highest market price there- 
for, and producing an article that is in demand 
all over the land, is there situated, it becomes 
an institution such that the benefits resultant 
therefrom can hardly be computed. In this 
respect the citizens of Petaluma have special 
cause for congratulation, and regard the Peta- 
luma Fruit Packing Company as one in which 
they take an individual pride; and not only is 
the industry of local interest, but it is one 
whose renown is as wide as the boundaries of 
the State. The company was organized in 1883. 
The firm of De Long, Ashby tt Co. succeeded 
to the interests of the Petaluma Fruit Packing 
Company about three years ago, and have under 
the able management of j\Ir. D. E. Ashby, estab- 
lished a business that is equal to any in the State. 

The Odd Fellows have a fine iron front block 
in which they have a large, commodious hall. 
This organization has a large membership, and 
is financially prosperous. It is one of the solid 
and enduring institutions of Petaluma. 

For long years a planing mill has been in suc- 
cessful operation in Petaluma. In all Peta- 
luma's vast improvements it has turned out the 
sash, doors, moldings, cornice and brackets for 
local use. It is one of her useful and perma- 
nent industries. 



SISTORT OF SONOMA COffNTT. 



253 



There are hut few cities on the Pacific coast 
with the pojiulation of Petaluina (ahout 5,000) 
that has four hanks. Petahima lias fonr hanks 
capitalized as follows: First National Bank, 
paid-up capital, 8200,000, surplus, $75,800; 
Hunk of Sonoma County, paid-up capital §300,- 
000, surplus, 820,000; Pctaluma Savings Bank, 
paid-up capital, $100,000, surplus, §00,000; 
Hill & Son, capital, §150,000. It will thus he 
seen that the capital of our hanks aloneamounts 
to over §1)00,000. 

There is not a city in the State of like popu- 
lation that has a hetter showing of public school 
edifices than Petaluma. She had already five 
school edifices, but to meet a growing need, a 
new building costing over §16,000 is just near- 
ing completion. 

The outlying country around Petaluma, em- 
braced in Petaluma Township, amounts to over 
40,000 acres of good farming, fruit and dairy 
lands. Immediately north of Petaluma, and 
bordering on the city limits, are several thou- 
sand acres of choice fruit land. Two Rock Val- 
ley is in this township, and it is oneof the ricli- 
est and most productive little valleys in the 
county. West of Petaluma, and extending to the 
San Antonio Creek, is a fine dairy and stock re- 
gion. The assessed value of property in city and 
township is over §3,200,000. 

Stony Point (sometimes designated Washoe 
House) is in Petaluma Township. It is in the 
midst of a productive fruit country, and has a 
hotel, postoftice and blacksmith shop. 

The following members of the medical jiro- 
fession have occupied the Petaluma field: 

Dr. S. W. Brown, died in 1.SG2. 

Dr. Wm. Wells is a pioneer of Petaluma. 

Dr. T. A. Ilylton, died on his way to Neva- 
da, in 1859. 

Dr. T. L. Barnes left Petaluma about 1805, 
and went to Ukiah, where he now resides. 

Dr. Hoffman staid but a short time. 

Dr. Bond died here about 1870. 

Dr. Burnett was elected State Senator and 
died liefore his term expired. 

Dr. Cluness was partner of Dr. Burnett; went 



to Sacramento in 1870, to succeed Dr. J. F. 
Morse, and still resides there. 

Dr. Voellen went to Sacramento, and is there 
at present. 

Dr. Alex. Stewart succeeded^Dr. Wells; went 
to San Francisco about 1875 and died there. 

Dr. Gildersleave succeeded Dr. Stewart, and 
left aljout 1878 for Arizona. 

Dr. Patty succeeded Dr. Gildersleave, and is 
now in Petaluma. 

Dr. McTaggert resided in I'etaluma a short 
time, then went to Sonoma and from there to 
San Francisco. 

Mrs. Dr. S. Nichols resided in Petaluma 
about seven years and left in 1887; is now in San 
Diego County. 

Dr. McWhinnie came to Petaluma from New 
York, practiced two or three years and died at 
Petaluma. 

Mrs. Perkins practiced in Petaluma, wlieiv she 
is now^ living. 

Dr. and Mrs. Remarque have been in Peta- 
luma for twenty years and still remain. 

Dr. and Mrs. Fifield have been in Petaluma 
five or six years. 

Dr. Ivancovich has been in Petaluma about 
eight years. 

Dr. Proctor came to Petaluma about two 
years ago and is still practicing. 

Dr. J. B. Smith came to Petaluma from Ukiah 
about fifteen years ago and is still in practice. 

Dr. Trenholtz has been in Petaluma three or 
four years. 

Dr. G. B. Davis succeeded ]\[rs. Nichols and 
is still practicing here. 

Dr. W. W. Carpenter came here about twenty 
years ago and died lately in San Francisco. 

Dr. Goshen, specialist. 

Dr. ]\r. Donald, specialist. 

Dr. Warren came to Petaluma from Valley 
Ford; died recently in San Francisco. 

Dr. Shepperd lias been in Petaluma over 
twenty-five years and is now liere. 

Dr. Christie came to Petaluma from Canada; 
practiced a few years and died. 

Dr. McGuire practiced a few years in Peta- 



254 



UtSTOMT OP SONOMA COtTNTY. 



liiiiui, tlieii went to (iiierucvillc, where he 
died. 

George Walker Graves, M. D., born in Vir- 
ginia, near lliclimond, in 1831; commenced 
medical studies in 1855; entered Medical College 
of Virginia and graduated March 9, 1858; caine 
to Fetaluma in spring of 1869; been liere since. 

Josiah II. Crane, M. D., born in Warren 
County, Ohio, August 31, 1820, near Lebanon; 
commenced the study of medicine in St. Louis; 
graduated from St. Louis Medical College in 
1844; located in the spring of 1844 in St. Jos- 
eph, Mo.; came to Petal u ma in 1805. 

In the following we summarize a few of the 
most important institutidus and in<lustries of 
Petaluma: 

Petaluma Lochje F. cL' .1. M. — Organized 
January 15, 1855; with Dr. T. L. Ilarnes, S. J. 
Smith, W. R. Swinerton, Uriah Edwards, II. 
iiassett, 15. Newman, A. I\ Barton, L. Han- 
cock, L. Walker, Wm. t'onley, James Samuels, 
J. G. Ilntf, I. K. Walker and J. C. Derrick, as 
charter members. 

PetaJidiia Chcqjter, Nv. ~~', li. A. J/. — This 
chapter was organized under dispensation and 
granted a charter, the members applying for 
such being Thomas L. Barnes, Philip R. Thomp- 
son, L. E. Brooks, M. R. Evans, William Bur- 
nett, P. W. Eandle, S. Powell, Job Cash, 
AV^illiam Ross, and others. The first holders of 
otlice were: High Priest, Thomas L. Barnes; 
King, Philip R. Thompson; Scribe, L. E. Brooks. 

Areturus Lothje, No. ISO, F. c6 A. J/".— This 
lodge was organized c)n Octobler 11, 1866, 
and a charter granted by the Grand Lodge of 
California to Right Worshipful Master^ C. Sim- 
mons; Senior Warden, Simon Conrad, and 
.luniiir AVarden, Benjamin F. Tuttle, who hehl 
utbce under dispensation. The lodge now has a 
roll of seventy-five members. 

Relief Encainjjineiit, No. ,19., I. 0. 0. F. — 
Was instituted July 11, 1868, the charter mem- 
bers being David Sullivan, G. Warren, B. Bow- 
man, J. S. Cutter, L. Ellsworth, James K. 
Knowles, William Zartman, Moses Korn. The 
first officers of the encampment were: G. War- 



ren, C. P.; J. S. Cutter, II. P.; L. Ellsworth, 
S. W.: B. Bowen, Scribe; William Zartman. 
Treasurer; David Sullivan, J. W. 

I'etaluma Lodfje, Wo. -JO, 1. 0. <). F. — This 
lodge was instituted on September 30, 1854, 
with the following charter members: Daniel 
McLaren, S. C. Hayden, S. M. Martin, Thomas 
M. Murray, E. S. ]\IcMurray, Stephen Payran, 
Charles Purvine, William Ayers. The original 
officers were: Daniel McLaren, N. (r.; S. C. 
Hayden, V. G.; S. M. Martin, R. S.; William 
Ayers, Treasurer. 

Fetaluma Lodge, No. IGl, I. 0. (J. T. — 
This lodge is the result of the consolidations of 
the lodges Star of the AVest, No. 380, and Star- 
light, No. 101, which was effected February 3, 
1879. The number of charter members was 
thirty-five, and the officers under that grant: 
AVilliam C. Ordway, AV. C. T.; Clara Wright. 
AV. A". T.; J. S. Fillmore, Chaplain; Ella Gale, 
AV. S.; A. G. Twist, AV. A. S.; L. D. (iale, ^\ . 
F. S.; Mrs. C. A. Ten Eyck, W. T.; Gordon 
Cameron, AV. M.; Jennie Cameron, W. D. M.; 
DoUie Schlosser, AV. I. G.; Aleck Connelly, AV. 
O. G.; Sadie Wright, AV. R. S.; Ella Benja- 
min, AV. L. S.; J. 15. Schlosser, P. AV. C. T.; II. 
II. Jessup, L. D. 

Methodist Fpiscojxil VInireh. — In August, 
1855, a church was organized at Petaluma, and a 
building erected where now stands the new city 
hall. In the very early days Rev. Jonas Speck 
was the minister in charge of the Petaluma cir- 
cuit as was also Rev. A. L. S. Bateman. Pcta- 
Inma was then made a station and Rev. James 
Hunter was the first ])astor. It has always been 
a prosperous church. The church building, on 
tUe northwest corner of Keller street and AVest- 
ern avenue, was begun in 1865, and finished in 
1874, during the pastorate of Rev. A. J. 
Nelson. It is of brick, gothic in style of archi- 
tecture, is 85 by 56 feet in dimensions, and 35 
feet from floor to ceiling. It is handsomely 
finished and furnished, and is lighted with gas, 
b}' means of two large sun burners. It has 
gallery, orchestra and class-rooms. The build- 
ing was erected at cost of $18,000. 



niSTORt OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



The J*'irst liaptint Church, I'etaliinia. — On 
Stibljatli, the ITtli day of July, 1853, in Bodega, 
yoiioina County, uj)on a call made by Hev. A. A. 
(Tuernsey, the Ibllowinir brethren and sisters 
presented themselves for the purpose of being 
organized into a liajjtist churcli: John C. 
Hughes, Jane iliifrhes, ^^'orhanl Easley, Eliza- 
beth A. Easley, Ari Hopper, Susannah Hojiper. 
The church was duly organized as the First Ijap- 
tist Church of Bodega. Rev. A. A. Guernsey 
was elected pastor, and AVorliani Easle\', clerk. 
Articles of faitli and practice were adopted. The 
church lield its regular monthly meetings at 
liudega until the second Saturday in October, 
185B, when it was voted to adjourn, to meet in 
Petaluma. The meetings were continued in 
Petaluma statedly. On the Saturday before 
the first Saljbath in November, 1854, the church, 
by vote, changed the name from the First Bap- 
tist Church of Bodega to the First Baptist 
Churcli of Petaluma. In February, 1855, a 
movement was set on foot to secure a suitable 
lot and procure funds to erect a meeting- house. 
In March, 1855, a corporation by the name of 
the Baptist church and society was formed, 
witli James Hogal, William Conley and Mr. 
Mathews as trustees, Fleming Sjiencer, clerk, 
and deacon Michael Barnes, treasurer. During 
the year 1857, a church edifice, 40 by 60 feet, 
was completed, with a seating capacity of about 
400. The same edifice, with some improve- 
ments, remains to the present time. 

Methodist Church, Sov.th. — This chui'ch 
which is situated on the southeast corner of 
Liberty street and Western avenue, Petaluma, 
was the outgrowth of the labors of Samuel 
Brown, who came to this city by direction of 
the Pacific Conference, commenced preaching 
in the fall of 1859, and finally established a 
church undei- the rules and regulations of the 
above-named body. The organization was rep- 
resented by about twenty-five members, who held 
their first services in the Baptist Church and Mc- 
Cune's Hall until the present edifice was erected 
in the year 1800. This structure is 40 x GO feet, 
built of brick, and lias a seating capacity of 250. 



St. John's Kphvopal Church is located at 
the corner of C an^ Fifth streets. The church 
is gothic in its style of architecture, with a seat- 
ing capacity of from 300 to 400. The interests 
of the parish of St. Julin were first entrusted to 
Rev. G. B. Taylor, who after a time was suc- 
ceeded by the Rev. Mr. Siueathman, the vesti'y 
being at that period com])osed of Messrs. Jliiie, 
Wickersham, Carder, AVeston, Sprague, Sweet- 
land and Cooper. Messrs. Carder, Cooper, 
Sprague and Wickersham being nominated 
treasurer, secretary, and wardens resijectivelv. 
On January 29, 18tjO, the church was declared 
ready for consecration, which was didy dime by 
the Right Reverend W. Ingraham Kip, bishop 
of the diocese uf California, before a large con- 
gregation. 

Coiigregutioiud Church. — This is one of tiic 
oldest cliurch edifices in Petaluma. It is on the 
corner of l-'ifth and B streets. The building 
was erected in 1857, Rev. A. A. Baker being 
its first pastor. After a few years the building 
was found inadequate for the size of the congre- 
gation and it was enlarged. Around it cluster 
a great many pioneer memories. 

St. 1^1710611^8 Catholic Church. —The old 
Catholic church stood on the hill, on Prospect, 
between Liberty and Walnut streets. The pres 
ent fine edifice, at the junction of Howard and 
Liberty streets, was completed and dedicated in 
May, 1876. Father Cleary has been in charge 
for many years. 

J^^irst I'reshjterian C hutch. — This is a neat 
edifice on Fourth street, Rev. W. H. Darder 
pastor. The church edifice was completed in 
1885, and has a seating capacity for 275 people. 
The first elders were: David Stuart, C. S. Gib- 
son, John P. Twist, I)a\i(l licjss, William C. 
Dunning and Dr. J. II. Crane. The trustees 
were: David Stewart, .\. Iliggins, John Todd, 
John E. Gwin and X. J\[. Hedges. 

Christian Church. — The neat edifice of this 
denomination is located on Western avenue. 
The building was completed in 1887, and the 
society is in a prosperous condition. 

Two Rock Presbyterian Church. — Was or- 



U I STORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



ganized October 21. 1860. The church building 
was built in 1863. The church was organized 
by Rev. Thomas Frasier, of the i^enicia Pres- 
bytery, and assisted by Rev. Frederick Buel, of 
the Presbytery of California. There were taken 
in on the organization fourteen members, as 
follows: i\Ir. and Mrs. Stephen H. Fowler, 
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schuler, Samuel Schuler, 
Alexander James AVaddel, Mr. and Mrs. Robert 
Andrews, Mr. and Mrs. David Morton. Mrs. 
W. 11. Dalton. :Mr. and Mrs. R. S. "Wigam, and 
R. A. Morton. The following persons, Stephen 
Fowler and Robert Andrews were elected elders 
on the organization; also, David Morton. The 
present church building is at Two Rock, eight 
miles west of Petaluma. The membership at 
the present time numbers fifty-two persons, 
seventeen males and tliirty-five females. The 
present elders are: Robert Andrews, Silas M. 
Martin, and Solomon Q. Barlow. Rev. George 
"\V. Hays has been the stated supjily for the 
past three years. 

Lihrary Association. — The public library in 
Petaluma was organized under the auspices of 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Pet- 
aluma, in January, 1867, the first ofheers licing: 
T. F. P)avlis, President; L. Ellsworth, Vice 
President; Dr. J. 11. Crane, Secretary; "William 
Zartman, Treasurer. In October, 1878, the in- 
stitution was turned over to the city and organ- 
ized as a public library. The library now 
contains several thousand volumes. The rooms 
are on the upper floor in the new City Hall 
building, and are as line library rooms as can 
be found outside of Sau Francisco. Mrs. J. P. 
Lackie, who has been librarian for more than a 
decade, keeps everything in good order. 

Washington Hall Association. — This com- 
pany was incorporated February 22, 1870, the 
first officers being: Lee Ellsworth, President; 
Philip Cowen, Secretary; C. P. Hatch, Treas- 
urer. It consists of a theater, stage, side and 
end galleries, auditorium and basement of the 
following dimensions: Stage, twenty -four feet; 
two dressing rooms under the stage, and one on 
each side of the first entrance, 14 x 20 feet; the 



whole is lighted by 140 burners, the gas being 
generated by a pneumatic gas macliine. The 
building, which was opened on September 7, 
1879, includes an auditorium 56 x 66 feet while 
its entire dimensions are 60 x 100 feet, erected at 
a cost of $25,000. 

Cyiyi'ess Hill Ceinetery. — To the northwanl 
of the city of Petaluma, on an eminence com- 
manding a beautiful prospect of the fertile val- 
leys and bold mountains, is situated this hand- 
some cemetery. This cemetery is the result of 
the private enterprise of one of Petaluma's most 
prominent citizens, John A. McKear. Previous 
to 1866 there had not been any very suitable 
place for a cemetery provided for by the citizens 
of Petaluma. but in that year Mr. McNear put 
into execution a project for providing for th^B 
pressing necessity. Accordingly the present 
site of Cypress Hill was chosen and burial lots 
laid out. Thousands of trees were planted and 
miles of road made, and other work done at 
great expense, to make it as attractive and well 
adapted as possible for a cemetery. 



XEWSPAl'KKS. 



The Petaluma Wocklij xiryus is a representa- 
tive journal of Sonoma County, having not only 
a good home circulation, but a liberal pati'onage 
in surrounding counties. As it is the outgrowth 
of a combination of journals, its history very 
fitly illustrates the mutations and changes at- 
tending journalism on this coast. In chrono- 
logical order the Sonoma County Journal is 
entitled to precedence, its publication commenc- 
ing on the 18th of August, 1855, with Thomas 
L. Thompson as editor and proprietor. It was 
strictly neutral in politics, and soon won for 
itself a high standing as a news and family 
journal. In 1856 Mr. Thompson sold the jour- 
nal establishment to II. L. "Weston, who con- 
tinued its publication as an independent journal, 
enlarging it from time to time as the growth of 
the population of the county seemed to re(iuire. 
It held Petaluma as its exclusive field until the 
fall of 1859, when the Petaluma An/us, under 
the proprietorship of J. J. Pennypacker, as a 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



257 



liepiiljliciin journal, made its appearance, to 
sliare tlie tield vvitli the Joitrnal. The latter, 
under the continued and exclusive pro])rietor- 
ship of Mr. AVeston, pui'sued the even tenor of 
its way without change or variableness until 
February uf 18G4. During these years the Argus 
passed through many changes. Pennypacker 
having become involved, the Argus material was 
sold under execution in May of 1860. Samuel 
Cassiday getting possession of the material, in 
June following started the Petaluma BejniMi- 
can, six issues of which appeared, when Penny- 
packer recovered back the material, and on the 
2oth of August of the same year resuscitated 
the Petaluina Argtis. In December of the same 
year, Pennypacker sold the Argus to A. Drouil- 
lard, who on the 4th of January, 1801, formed 
a partnership with J. II. McXabb. Drouillard 
cV: Mc-N'abb continued the publication of the 
Argus until July, when Drouillard retired from 
the paper, and Samuel Cassiday became Mr. 
McNabb's partner in the proprietorship and 
editorial management of that journal. From 
this time until February of 18G4, the Aiy/us 
and Journal divided a field between them which 
it required but little practical business sagacity 
to see was not more than equal to the support of 
one good paper. As a consequence, at that 
time the two journals were united under the 
name of the Petaluma Journal and Argus, Mr. 
Weston retiring from the management, but re- 
taining a third interest in the paper. From 
this time until June of 1860, McNabb & Cassi- 
day published the Journal and Argus, when 
the former retired, and Cassiday remained as 
sole editor and publisher until February of 1869, 
when he sold the establishment to II. I.. "Weston. 
For a year Mr. Weston remained sole proprie- 
tor and publisher, when in February of 1870, 
he took in as partner J. E. Guild, who tilled 
the office of business irianager. This partner- 
ship was terminated in May of 1871, by Mr. 
Guild selling out to James II. McNabb and N. 
AV. Scudder, who became equal partners with 
Weston in the Journal and Argus establish- 
ment. Under the firm name of Weston, Scud- 



dur & Co., the paper for a brief period was 
under the management of these three gentle- 
men, when Mr. McNabb receiving the apjioint- 
ment of Deputy Collector of the Port of San 
Francisco, retired from the management, leav- 
ing Weston and Scudder sole publishers and 
editors of the Journal and Argus. During 
1872-3, Messrs. Weston & Scudder published a 
daily paper in connection with their weekly. 
At the commencement of their new volume of 
date February 7, 1873, the name Journal was 
discontinued from the title of the paper, and 
from thence forward its title has been 77ie 
J*etalu7na Weekly Argus. Under the proprie- 
torship of Weston 6i Scudder the Argus was 
enlarged to its present size, and its office fur- 
nished with all the appointments of a first-class 
country journal. In April of 1879, Mr. Scud- 
der sold his interest in the Argus and retired, 
giving place to Samuel Cassiday, who, after a 
rest of ten years resumed his connection with 
that journal. In August of 1881, the firm be- 
came Weston, McNabb & Cassiday. In 1883, 
II. L. Weston having been appointed postmaster 
of Petaluma retired from the firm and Ilast. A. 
Downer became a partner for a year. Then S. 
P. Weston became a member of the firm for a 
short time, and afterward Harry McC. Weston 
was of the firm. In November, 1887, B. li. 
Cottle, long of the San Jose l/errurg, bought 
the Weston interest, and the firm is now Mc- 
Nabb, Cassiday Sl Cottle. 

Following are sketches of tiie members uf the 
above firm : 

JAMKsIlENKvMrNAiiinvas born in Springfield, 
Illinois, in 1833. His father, James Crawford 
McNabl), was born near the city of liichmond, 
in Virginia, of Scotch- Irish parentage. His 
mother, Ann Ilebecca Watson, was born at 
Maysville, Kentucky. Mr. McNabb took the 
"gold fever" in the spring of 1849 and crossed 
the plains as an ox-driver that year, landing 
in the Territory of California September 17tli, 
1849, at tiie point on the Sacramento River now 
called Viiui. He mined with good and bad luck 
for a few years and then bought an interest in 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



a printing office and completed the trade of 
printer. He pnblislied a paper called the 
Plumas Ai'ffm, at Qiiincy, J'lumas County, 
which he disposed of in the spring of 1860, and 
during tlie same year he removed to Petaluma, 
and became interested in the retahima Argus, 
with whicli he has been connected ever since, 
except from June, 1866, to June, 1871. He 
has held several otticial positions, and so far as 
we know, always came out clean. He was 
justice of the peace and associate justice of 
tlie Court of Sessions in Plumas County, where 
he also served one year as assessor. He served 
one term as State Senator from Sonoma, 1862-'3. 
He was Deputy Collector of Customs in San 
Francisco, in charge of the Warehouse Depart- 
ment for nine years, from July, 1872, to July, 
1881. In 18511 he was married to Mary E. 
Scudder, at Quincy, California. His wife was 
born in ]\[orris County, ^"ew Jersey. They have 
had six children born to them, and five are now 
living. Adelaide and May Louisa, the eldest 
daughters, are compositors in the Anjus office. 
Samikl Cassiu.w was born Ajiril 12th, 1830, 
near Reedsburgh, Wayne County, Ohio. Of 
iiis grand parents three were natives of the north 
cf Ireland, and the fourth a native of 
Pennsylvania. His father, John Cassiday, M'as 
a native of Washington County, Pennsylvania, 
and his mother's maiden name was Sarah 
McGee, a native of Jefferson County, Ohio. In 
1841, when eleven years of age, he moved with 
his parents overland to the then Territory of 
Iowa, settling near LibertyviJle, Jefferson 
County, and within fifteen miles of the boundary 
between government and the hunting grounds 
of the Sac and Fox Indians. From this time 
until 1847 he worked upon the farm nine months 
out of the year, receiving the benelit of such 
education as the rude log school-house of the 
frontier afforded during the winter months. In 
1847 he entered the office of the Dcs Moines 
Valley W/n'rj, published at Keosaunua, to learn 
the printer's trade. Having completed his 
apprenticeship the winter of 1849-"50, lie tilled 
the position of assistant teacher in a private 



academy at Oskaloosa. From that place he 
started overland the spring of 1850, and arrived 
at Sacramento in the early part of September. 
From the time of his arrival in California up to 
the spring of 1854 he was engaged in various 
mining operations, mostly in the neighborhood 
of Pough and Ready, Xevada County, and Parks 
and Long Pars, Yuba County. In 1854 he came 
to Sonoma County, and from that time until 
1861 he Mas engaged in farming, dairying, and 
stock raising. In 1861 lie embarked in 
journalism as one of the editors and proprietors 
of the Petaluma Argus. In 1866 he assumed 
the entire proprietorship of that journal, which 
he retained utitil 1869 when he sold that 
establishment to 11. L. Weston, Esq., and leas- 
ing over 11,000 acres of land in ifonterey 
County, for a term of years, moved to that 
portion of the State where for ten years he 
followed the varied pursuits of farming, sheep 
raising, and general real estate business. With 
the exception of a brief residence at Gilroy, 
Santa Clara County, he resided most of this time 
at Salinas City. In 18(58 he passed an exami- 
nation and was admitted to the practice of law 
in the District Court of the Twentieth Judicial 
District. In the spring of 1870 he returned to 
Petaluma, and resumed his connection with the 
Petaluma Argvs. In 1864 ilr. Cassiday was 
united in marriage with Miss Cynthia Francis 
Denman, a native of Sullivan County, New 
York. Her father's name was William Den 
man, a native of England, and her mother's 
maiden name was Nancy Curry, a native of 
New York. He has five children; the oldest, 
Sarah Francis, born June 18, 18()6; the sec- 
ond, Elizabeth Louisa, born May 29th, 18(58; 
the third, Benjamin Franklin, born January 
16, 1870; the fourth, Samuel Denman, born 
August 14, 1873; and the fifth, Minnie liclle, 
born May 2, 1875. 

Bknmamin Hi.xi klkv Corrr.E was born in 
lennebec County, Maine, in 1833. His 
parents, Isaac and Abigail (Hinckley) Cottle, 
were natives of the same State. He was brought 
up on a farm until he was seventeen years of 



UISTOUT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



age, when he began tu learn tlic printer's trade 
in Gardiner, in his native county. In ISofi he 
came to California by tiie Nicaragua route; 
was delayed in Nicaragua about six weeks on 
account of the filibustering ojierations of William 
Walker. After mining gold for awhile in 
Stanislaus ("ounty, Mr. Cottle settled in Stock- 
ton, at his old trade of printing, continuing 
there for a period of three years. Next, after 
visiting in tlie East for a year he returned to 
the Colden State and settled in San -fose, where 
he became one of the pro])rietors of the San 
Jose Mercunj, in partnership with ,1. J. Owen, 
whicli relation he sustaineil for thirteen years. 
He then employed himself in the job printing 
business in that city until the latter pai-t of 
1887, wlien he came to Petaluma and iMirchased 
the interest of II. L. A\"eston in the Petaluma 
Argus. Mr. Cottle has ever been a zealous and 
consistent Republican, and is a member of the 
Orders of Odd Fellows and Knights of Honor. 
AVhile in San Jose he was a memijer of the cit}' 
council for a mindjer of years. In IStiT Mr. 
Cottle married Miss Nellie D. Skinner, who is 
a native of Wisconsin and a danghter of Judge 
II. C. and Susan Skinner. Her parents came 
across the plains in 18-49 and located at San 
Jose, where her mother is still living; herfather 
died at San Diego in 1877. Tiie children of 
Mr. Cottle are I'ertha, Claire, Ilarrold and 
Estelle. 

Tin: L'ttal'nina Wceklij Courier was started 
by Wm. F. Shattuck, October 5, 1876. I'rom 
a small patent outside sheet it soon grew to be 
a pretentious eight-column paper and an estab- 
lisiied institution, being considered one of the 
reliable Democratic journals of the State. The 
first year of its existence the L'lmrhr was edited 
by Professoi' E. S. Lippitt, a gentleman well 
known tliroughout the coast. His vigorous, 
well-written editorials brought tlie jiaper into 
notice, and gave it coti8ideral>lc influence. Mr. 
l.ippitt was succeeded by F. AV. Shattuck in the 
editorial management, a prominent attorney of 
Sonoma County. l!y an independent style the 



('<nn 



won it.- ^way to public favor. Mi 
n 



Shattuck continued t<i publish the paper until 
December, 1H88, when he sold the establishment 
to Woodbury tk Kavencroft, who are now the 
])ublishers. 

Th, Dnlhj MoniiiKj Iiiifrlnivil was estab- 
lished December loth, 1884, with J. AV. Hoag, 
11. I>. Hiid<le and J. T. Studdei-t as publishers 
and proprietors. The interest uf Hiid<le and 
Studdert has been pnrchased by J. W. Iloag, 
and the paper changed from a morning to an 
evening publication. It is the only daily paper 
published in Petaluma, and is prosperous. 

The Orchard and Fana is a monthly illus- 
trated journal that has just reached its third 
number. It is a neat publication and is gaining 
a good circulation. Samuel E. AVatson is pub- 
lisher and proprietor. 

The First National Hank of J'etalaaut. — 
This banking institution, which holds a ju-omi- 
nent and honorable position in financial circles 
not alone witliin the limits of Sonoma County, 
but likewise througliout the Pacific coast gen- 
erally, was originally established as a private 
bank by I. G. AVickersham, and was first oj)ened 
to ilo l)usiiiess on Februai'y 1, 1865, in a 
building on the northeast corner of AVashington 
and Main streets. In 1868 the building still 
occupied by the baidc was erected, being the 
first bank building in Petaluma. It is a solid 
and substantial structure, with fire and burglar 
proof vaults, etc., and elegant and tasteful fit- 
tings. On September 23, 1874, the bank was 
organized as a national l)ank, leceiving its 
charter and entering em business on .January 1, 
1875. It is the (ihlest bank in existence north of 
the bay and is the first that was established in So- 
noma County. Its history of now nearly twenty- 
four years has been one of continued progress, 
])0ssessitig to the fullest extent the confidence of 
the community. It has been conducted upon a 
liberal 3'et conservative basis, meeting with but 
few losses, but employing its capital where it 
woukl manifestly benefit the county, both i-i 
the way of develojiing its natural resources and 
of extending its trade. This bunk has been the 
most pi-oniineiit t'eutu)-e. indeed, iii thi- i-ee'urd 



260 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



in Sonoma County, as when no other institution 
of its kind was in existence in this part of the 
State, its money was freely loaned to those who 
were laboring to huild up the material interests 
of this section, at a time when without it the 
wheels of jn'ogress would have met with serious 
delays. The capital stock of the bank fully 
paid in consists of s2()0.000, and in addition to 
that a ;<urplus fund has been accumulated of 
s80,000; this larj^e surplus fund showing the 
careful and conservative management. The to- 
tal assets of the bank amounts to the large 
sum of s5r)3,955.61 at the close of husiness, 
October 4:th of this year. As sliowing the 
trust reposed in this bank by the people it 
should be stated that there are private deposits 
in the bank of almost a quarter of a million 
dollars. Hon. 1. G. AVickersham has always 
been the president of the bank, and, ndeed, it 
is largely with his capital that it has been car- 
ried on. ilr. II. 11. Atwater has been its trusted 
cashier since the spring of 186t), and Mr. Fred 
A. "Wickersham has been assistant cashier since 
1883. The board of directors consists of Messrs. 
Wichersham and Atwater already mentioned, 
and of Messrs. L. Ellsworth, L. (t. Xay, Dan- 
iel Brown, C. P. Hatch, and Anton Meyer, 
gentlemen well known and of the highest stand- 
ing in this section. 

Mutual Relief Amoi.iation of I'etaluma. — 
It is with peculiar pleasure that the writer un- 
dertakes a description of this well-known in- 
stitution, which is not only the oldest, but is 
also the most successful of all societies of its 
class upon tliis coast, and has aided more than 
anything else by its careful management and 
solid career, to prove the efficacy and necessity 
of this method of life insurance. The thinking 
public has long tired of paying tlie enormous pre- 
miums rei^uired in advance by the old-line stock 
companies to be used by them for the support 
of a horde of high priced oflicials and other 
unnecessary expenses, and turns with relief and 
gratitude to an institution such as this which 
affords the same safe and reliable insurance 
at the real cost of such insurance, and on 



the fair and e(^nitable principle of calling for 
funds only when needed to meet claims. In 
the long life of this association, which has now 
extended over almost nineteen years, the benefi- 
cial working of its methods have been completely 
proven and its practical and successfid career 
has demonstrated not only the correctness of 
its plans but also its wise and careful manage- 
ment. During its existence it has paid in the 
shape of benefits the large sum of s460,00() to 
its bcniticiaries. relieving many destitute wid- 
ows and orphans from want at a jjeriod when 
most in need — luimely, upon the removal of the 
bread-winner and head of the household. It 
has also accummulated during the same period 
a reserve fund of 680,000 which is securely in- 
vested, thus placing it on a sound financial 
basis and assuring paj'ment of all just claims 
against it. It has also erected a tine building 
for its own use on the corner of Western ave- 
nue and Kentucky street in Pet.ihima. It is 
the finest erection in town and a credit archi- 
tecturally to the county. 

The Mutual Relief Association of Petaluma 
is incorporated under an act passed April 22, 
1850, entitled, "An Act for incorporating Re- 
ligious, Social, Beneficial and Literary Associa- 
tions," and reincorjjorated under the act passed 
March 23, 1874, entitled " An Act relating to 
Mutual, Beneficial and Relief Associations." 
This latter act was passed especially for the pro- 
tection of this and similar societies and to guard 
them against the unjust encroachment of the life 
insurance companies. These statutes are very 
strict in their requirements especially in regard 
to the funds, whch cannot be a])plied in any other 
manner than that set forth in the act of incor- 
poration. If they should be wrongfully diverted 
from their proper use, they can be reclainied at 
any time within six years upon the complaint 
of any member of the association — thus secur- 
ing an absolute safeguard to the members. 

A few words may not be amiss as to the 
origin of this method of life security. This 
class of mutual associations originated, it is 
believed, with the Episcopal clergy for the pro- 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



tection of tlieir families. Otlier deiioininations, 
as also tlie Masons, Odd Fellows and other 
orders, soon adopted the same j)lan. It gave 
such general satisfaction, accoiHplishing its do 
signs with such a certainty and at sucii a trifling 
expense that it has steadily and rapidly grown 
in favor throughout the eastern States for more 
now than a third of a century. Ilealizing these 
facts, the citizens of San Francisco formed an as- 
sociation, confining its memljership to that city. 
Some citizens of Petaluma applied to become 
members, and having been denied, by reason of its 
restrictions, they determined to organize an as- 
sociation in Petaluma, but on a more liheral 
scale. A meeting was accordingly called by a 
numlier of its leading citizens, and the result 
was the organizing of the Mutual Ilelief Asso- 
ciation, embodying all the best principles of its 
predecessors. . Notwithstanding it has met with 
the most strenuous opposition on the part of 
the old-line life insurance companies, misrepre- 
senting it in the most subtle and stealthy 
manner by every means fair and unfair in their 
power, through almost innumerable publications 
and their hundreds of paid agents, still this 
association has steadily . increased in numbers 
and intiuence, until it is known throughout the 
land, and has had the satisfaction of relieving 
the needy to the extent already mentioned, and 
has a list of members that steadily averages 
about 2,000, which are all that are sought. 

The following in reference to the objects of 
the association is clipped from their paper, the 
Miitual Relief: 

"The object of the association is to secure 
pecuniary aid of !»^2,000 to the families or de- 
pendents of deceased members. This is accom- 
plished in the most perfect and substantial 
manner, as has been substantiated within the 
last few years by this and kindred societies: 
and that, too, with an expense so light that it 
has not proved a burden upon its members, 
which fact not only increases its popularity Imt 
brings it within the reach of those most need- 
ing its protection anil aid. 

"Any person, may lieconie a member of the 



association, if in good health and not under 
eighteen nor over forty-live years of age. 

'' Each member pays, according to age, four to 
eight dollars annually, and one dollar on the 
death of a member. 

"On proof of the death of a member of the 
association, his family, or the person he has 
appointed as his nominee, receives immediately 
from the association s2,000 in case the deceased 
has been a member for ten years, or if not, a 
like proportion to the number of members. 

" All surplus funds are loaned on good and 
sntticient security (on real estate) to form a ' per- 
manent reserve fund," the interest on which 
annually reverts to members in the form of a divi- 
dend. In case of death a notice is sent to each 
member. Agents in each to\vn receive the 
assessments. 

•• The association, as well as its funds, is under 
the ciintrol of a board of twelve directors, who 
are elected annually by the members of the 
association, and is also incorporated under the 
beneficiary act of the State, which act does not 
allow any funds to be used for purposes other 
than set forth in the rules and regulations, 
while the secretary and treasurci- are required 
to give heavy bonds for the faithful performance 
of their duties. 

"The officers and directors of the association, 
receive no compensation whatever for their ser- 
vices except the secretary, who is simjily paid 
for keeping the books of the association. 

" The association is designed to save money, 
not to spend it. None will feel poorer for belong- 
ing to it, while many will bless the day that their 
father, mother, husband or brother joined it. 

" The annual pa}«ments are: For those under 
thirty years when they join, §4; over thirty 
and under thirty- five, ij^o; over thirty-five and 
under forty, sC); over forty and under forty- 
live, ss. These payments arc not raised. 

If a member prefers, he can make the fol- 
lowing full payments in advance, and not be 
re(|uired to make any further annual payments: 
For those under thirty years at time of joining, 
!i;30; over thirtv and under thirty-five, ^.35: 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



over thirty-live and under forty, %\^\ over 
forty and under forty-five, $45. 

"Do not confound this association with life 
insurance. It is a 'protective association," and 
does husiness in a differentway, for thcsaine pur- 
pose, but for one-half the expeuse to members. 

"The board of directors is a representative list 
of some of the most prominent business men of 
I'etaluma. They are all residents of tliis place, 
and are men of means and integrity. The 
names of the officers and board of directors are 
as follows: I). W. 0. Tutnam, Tresident; E. 
iS'ewburgh, Vice-President; \\ 1!. Gilbert, 
Secretary; A. V>. Hill, Treasurer. M. Walsli, 
Wm. Canim, 11. L. Weston, D. AV. ('. rutnam, 
E. Newburj^h, John Cavanagh, AVm. /artman, 
J. L. Dinwiddle, Kelly Tighe, Wm. Uoliinson, 
II. Johnson, P. P. (lilbert, directors." 

The Parip'c Beneft Association. — This asso- 
ciation incorporated November 18, 1880, was 
designed to afford a cheap and safe means of in- 
surance for those unable or unwilling to pay 
the cost of a policy in one of the old-line 
companies. Its inceptor and founder, G. li. 
Codding (since deceased"), at the time of its or- 
ganization liad been engaged in the insurance 
business some ten years as secretary of the Mu- 
tual Relief Association, and had made a care- 
ful study of the various plans of the mutual or 
co-operative insurance companies. This associ- 
atio:i was the result of his labors. It combines 
some of the best features of the mutual relief 
(now in successful operation nearly twenty years) 
with that of graded assessments now so popular. 

During the few years it has been in existence 
it has paid in benefits over §100,000. Its pres- 
ent officers are: F. A. Meyer, President; J. A. 
Cowen, A'ice-President; Geo. C. Codding, Sec- 
retary, and li. B. Iligbee, Treasurer. 

The Heal Instate Association of Petal uma,Cal- 
ifornia, was organized and incorporated in 187G 
with a ca])ital stock of $50,000. Its object was 
and is to buy and sell real estate for cash 
and on the installment, to loan money on real 
estate or other security and to carry on generally 
the l)usiness of trading and dealing in real 



estate. G. R. Codding, its organizer, was its 
first secretary, and L. F. Carpenter its first pres- 
ident. They iiave done much for the city in the 
way of subdividing tracts, opening sti-eets and 
building houses for those unable to do so with- 
out help. Its present officers are: T. A. Gilbert, 
President; S.J. Hopkins, Vice-President; Geo. 
C. Codding, Secretary, and I^liilip Cowen, Treas- 
urer. 

Williai/i Hill tb fSon, Bankei's. — Organ- 
ized January 1, 1887; Wm Ilill, President; A. 
B. Hill, C'ashior; was organized with capital 
stock of $100,000, which was afterward in- 
creased to $150,000. 

Statement made, July, 1888: 

Capital, $150,000; profit and loss account, 
$ll,03(;i; deposits, amount, $125,882; real es- 
tate of bank premises, $11,000; loans on real 
estate, $111,745; loans on personal security, 
$148,000; money on hand, $27,800. 

Alfred Borel ^ Co. is their San Francisco 
correspondent. The bank draws direct on New 
York, London, German and other European cities. 

Bank of iSonoiiui C'lninti/. — This bank was 
incorporated May 10,1806, with an authorized 
capital of $100,000 in one thousand shares of 
$100 each. The incorporators were: J. A. Mc- 
Near, G. W. McNear, W. Hill, W. Dutton, E. 
Uenman, J. R. Rose, A. Mills, G. W. Case, A. 
B. Case, II. Mecham, C. Railsback, G. R. Cod- 
ding, II. Hall, W. S. M. Wright, R. P.ailey, W. 
R. Roberts, W. P. llinshaw, G. AVoodward, I. 
Bernhard, E. Newl)urgh, S. C. iloag, J. E. 
Fowler, -I no. Sroufe and A. Sweetland. The 
first Board of Directors were: J. A. McNear, 
W. Hill, W. Dutton, E. Denman and A. Mills. 
Wm. Hill was elected President and E. Sprague, 
Cashier. The prosperity of the new bank was 
remarkable; only 90 per cent, of tlie capital 
stock being actually paid in. The remaining 10 
per cent, was capitalized from the earnings. 

In November, 1872, the bank took possession 
of the present location on the northwest cor- 
ner of Main and AVashington streets, the build- 
ing having been especially erected for its use. 
February 1, 1877, the capital was increased in 



HTSTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



pursuance of tlie certificate of tlie Secretary of 
State from $100,000 to $300,000. No assess- 
ments were levied on tlie stockholders as there 
had accrued a surplus of $'200,000 from earn- 
ings subsequent to April 22, 1867. 

Since organization the bank has paid $340,- 
500 in dividends, besides ca})italizing the above 
mentioned $200,000. 
The present officers are: 

Directors: E. Denman, Geo. P. McNear, J. 
I'l Gwin, Thos. Hopper and T. C. Putman. E. 
Denman is President; Geo. P. McNair, Vice- 
President; Frank H. Denman, Cashier, and H. 
r>. liigbee, Assistant Cashier. 

Tiie bank is now in a very flourishing con- 
dition with a constantly increasing business, 
having the entire confidence of the public. 

I'etalnma Savings AV<?;^'.-— Incorporated by 
H. T. Fairbanks, J. M. Bowles, A. P. Whitney, 
B. F. Tuttle, A. Poverton, J. II. Crane, F. T. 
Maynard, Win. Zartman and S. I'. Carpenter 
on August 30, 1S70. 

Tlie first president was J. M. Bowles, who 
filled the office until January, 1871, when he 
was succeeded by II. T. Fairbanks, who has filled 
the position to the present time. 

The first cashier was (). V. Walker, who i-e- 
inained with the bank till 1874. W. B. Haskell 
then folhiwed until January. 1878, when D. I>. 
Fairbanks was elected, and has been in continual 
service till the present writing. 

The officers of the bank are: II. T. Fairbanks, 
President; J. M. Bowles, Vice-President and D. 
B Fairbanks, Cashier. The finance committee 
is composed of II. T. i-'airbanks, president, and 
Messrs. J. M. Bowles and V. T. Maynard. \ 

Tlie bank does agencral banking business and 
was the first to establish the rule of paying in- 
terest on deposits. It has met with unvarying 
success, occupying conimodious and well fur- 
nished quarters on Main street, and having bur- 
glar and fire-proof vault with Hall's patent steel 
burglar-proof safe and time lock. The capital 
stock is $100,000, and the stockholders have 
been paid sixty-one dividcids amounting to 
$205 per share since the Imnk started. The 



surplus now carried amounts to $71t,000. The 
correspondents of the bank are: The Bank of 
California, San Francisco; Agency Bank of Cal- 
ifornia, JSew York; N. M. Ptothscliild & Sons, 
London, Englantl. 

The I'tiiilunvi I iicuhator, one of the leading 
manufactures of the county was awarded med- 
als at the California State Fair in 1881-'82-'83 
and '84. The first one a silver, the others gold 
medals. Also a gold medal at the Sonoma 
County Agricultural Park Association, 1883, 
besides eleven diplomas of merit at various 
district fairs. 

The machine, in its original form, was intro- 
duced by I. R. Jacobs and I. L. Dias, the former, 
liowever, withdrew before the business assumed 
any practical shape, and was soon after suc- 
ceeded by L. C. Byce. The business was there- 
after conducted under the name of the Petaluina 
Inculiator Company. 

Afr. Dias died in November, 1884, since 
which time the business has been owned and 
conducted by Mr. P>yce, under the same name. 
The first year there was less than fifty ma- 
chines sold, but the practicability having been 
so thoroughly demonstrated, the demand lias 
steadily increased until the .sales for 1888 ex- 
ceed 1,000 machines. 

Mr. Byce is the original patentee, to whom 
several additional patents have been granted for 
improvements. AVitli many of the machines 
there are solii from one to three brooder,-. 

The factory is large and commodious and oc- 
cupies a prominent location on Main street. 

Petaluma Woolen Mills — Torr i*c New- 
burgh, proprietors. Was built April, 1875, and 
started as a stock company; it run as a stock 
company for about a year, when they rented it 
to R. II. Duncan ^ Co. They had it for about 
eighteen months. It then laid idle for about 
two years and a half. It was then taken in 
charge by Charles L. Torr, who bought the con- 
trolling interest. In January, 1880, Mr. Man- 
rise Newbiirgh came in as partner, under the 
present firm name. They made e.\tonsiv(> ad- 
dition bv enlarging the IniiJiliM''' and nuttiiin- in 



204 



BISTORY Of SONOMA COtTNTT. 



two-thirds new inueliiiiL'ry. Previuus to tliu 
time Mr. Torr toolv the mill the most they niii 
per day was IGO yards of flannel; he increased 
it l)y improving the machinery to about 350 
yards per day. Since Mr. Newburgh came in it 
lias still increased, so at present it turns out 750 
yards per day. At present turning out forty- 
five pair of scarlet blankets per day, and 250 
yards of flannel. The plant cost the stock corn- 
pan}', when put up, !r^22,500. There has been 
in the neighborhood of ^1,800 added since in 
tiie machinery, addition of buildings, and other 
improvements. They have their own artesian 
well, which also supplies the railroad with water. 
American Hotel. — This is the oldest hotel in 
the city of Petaluma, dating its history since 
the latter part of 1852, when it was erected by 
Mr. George !>. Williams. It was then little 
better than a boarding-house, T)ut being the 
only place where shelter was furnished to strang- 
ers it enjoyed an extended patronage. It was 
then a small story and a half wooden building, 
witli not over three or four rooms. It has 
grown since then, until now it is a substantial 
brick, three stories in height, and containing no 
less than titty i-ooms. Twice it has been 
burned; the first time when it was a wooden 
building, being entirely consumed, and the 
second time wlien a brick, being gutted. It 
lias had many owners and proprietors, nearly 
all of them popular with the public, but none so 
much so as the present proprietors, Messrs. 
Soldate & Giacomini, mention of whom is made 
in another place. A list of the various proprie- 
tors is given, although it is not certain whether 
the catalogue of the earlier times is quite com- 
]ilete. After (ieorge R. Williams came Doug- 
lass & Adams, in 1852, who ran it until it 
came into the bands of Anthony (4. Oaks, the 
well-kniiwn ••Toney,"' now of Alameda County. 
On Deceniiier 1, 1858, the men who kept the 
American were I5rown it Re.xford, well known 
by all the old-timers. The building had been 
rebuilt in brick by this time and was owned by 
William Ordway. I'rom his hands it passed 
into those of J. M. Dowles, and then to the 



banker, II. T. Fairbanks; and from him to Mr. 
J. A. McNear, the present owner, through i[r. 
Matzenbach, who kept the hotel for a loner 
time and was one of the most popular bonilaees. 
In 1883 the lessees were Roberts & Smith; 
then, in quick succession, Messrs. Beggs it Sol- 
date, J>eggs it Tornasini, F. \l. Shield, M. 
(Tiaconiini, and now Soldate it Giacomini, who 
took possession on the lltli of December, 188-i, 
and in their management leave nothing to be 
desired. Since they have had the house it has 
been thoroughly overhauled and partially re- 
furnished, and has been placed upon a modern 
and popular l)asi8. It is a three story brick 
building of solid and substantial construction, 
having a fine Gothic front on Main street, sup- 
ported by massive fluted iron pillars. The 
rooms are large and airy, and are arraiuJ-cd so 
as to be used either single or en suite. The 
dining-room will seat eighty guests, and the 
t"ommissary department is not the least im- 
poi'tant of the house. The cuisine is presided 
over by a skilled <-Jief, and the service and at- 
tendance is perfect. Connected with the house 
is a well stocked bar, a spacious billiard-room, 
commodious sample-rooms, barber shop, and 
other Conveniences. In short, the house jios- 
sesses all customary modern conveniences, and 
is a thoroughly first-class establishment. Lastly, 
we must not forget to mention what is certainly 
not the least attractive feature of the house, and 
that is the genial Joe Soldate, who knows so 
well how to make his guests at home. 



rwv: CITY 



'KT.W.rM A. 



John Cavanaugli, Recorder; .IdIiii I'. Rod- 
gcrs, City Attorney; Charles I'olk', Assessor; 
F. M. Collins, Marshal; II. 11. Iligbee, Treas- 
urer; W. Worth, George V. Allen, John A. 
McNear, J. L. AVinnans and AVilliani Lewis, 
Trustees. 11. I'imm is chief of Fire Department. 

Citij JjO'irtl (if KiUuMtion: James Singley, 
President; Henry P. P>rainerd, Frank H. Den- 
man, Joseph Campbell; Frank T. ^[aynard. 
Secretary. 

P. Hall is the present postmastei' of I'etaluma. 



HTSTORT OP SONOMA OOUNTi'. 



2fi.-, 



.^-tf^lA^C^^ 







^Ij^-T^v-^^-T^ -^ , 



ciiaptf:ii xxix. 



MkN I )()(_'! NO - - Cl,(i\ KTiDALE SoxOSCA AnALY BoilK(iA RlSSTAN RlVEIi Wasi|IN(; 

WOOD — 0':'EA.\ — Sai.t Point — KNrcarrs Vaij.ky — Valuvio. 



PvKn. 



MENDOCINO TOWNSHIP. 

fXOLUSIYE of Healdsbarg, tliis township 
includes 7SI, 232 acres, assessed at !ti77n,850, 
an average of $10 per acre. Tiie entire tax- 
roll of the township, excluding Ilealdsbiirg, is 
!H1,242,056. The taxable property of Healdsburg 
amounts to $595,338, which makes the assessed 
valueof the property of the township $1,837,394. 
In shape, it is the most irregular of all the town- 
ships in the county. It is bounded by Lake 
County on the northeast, and following the 
meandering of steams or convolutions of moun- 
tain ranges it encompasses Cloverdale and 
Washington townships on three sides, winding 
between them and Mendocino County on the 
north, with Jvnights A'alley, Russian River, 
Analy and Redwood townships on the south, 
and Salt Point and Ocean on the west, llealds- 
burg, containing a i>opulation of 2,000 is the 
principal town, and is splendidly situated on the 
north bank of the Russian Rivei-. Property in 
this section is changing hands very rapidly, its 
fertile plains, fine grazing lands and splendid 
fruits and vine-growing areas being justly ap- 
preciated. The products of this township are 
almost as varied as the wants of man, and in 
(juantity and (piality arc not surpassed. Its 



population in 1880 was 2,874; now about 8,500. 
There is not a vacant house or store in Ilealds- 
burg, and building is progressing rajiidly. In 
common with all parts of the Russian River 
Valley the farm houses are, many of them, fine 
substantial structures, and many improvements 
are continually being made. In this section no 
little attention is being paid to hop raisin^. 
The celebrated Geyser Springs are in the eastern 
part of this township. 

As Cyrus Alexander had settled in flii.s tiiwn- 
ship at a very early day, Americans coming in 
were naturally attracted to his neighborhood. 
Of those who came to California previous to the 
discovery of gold, were the Gordons, Morrow, 
Storey, and W. J. March, who all found their 
way to the Russan River Valley and in 1848 
settled on lane! now comprised in this town- 
ship. As month followed month, and year 
succeeded year, so did the population increase. 
In 1849 arrived William T. Allen and others ; 
in 1851, Richard E. Lewis and many more. 
In these years the gold fever iiad stocked 
California with denizens from every known part 
of tiic globe ; every tongue sj)oken on the face of 
tlin globe was to be heard in the gold mines, 
wliilr all wcri' bent on aciiuii'ini;' a bircri' and 



260 



niSTORY OF SONO.VA COUNT V 



rapiil fortune. Failure or success caused uiany 
to leave the pursuit of treasure and look for 
somewhere to settle, and thus in the next five 
years every portion of the State recx'ived a mar- 
velous increase to the iiiiinher of its residents. 
In Mendocino Townshiji tiie few residents that 
were not taken with the gold disorder, watched 
carefully passing events and tilled their ground, 
and planted tlieir produce, waiting for a certain 
liarvest of dust. Our old pioneer Cyrus Alex- 
ander knew that wealth was now within his 
grasp; he sent his cattle to the mines and there 
received fabulous prices for them. In the sum- 
mer of 1850 he succeeded in raising a good 
crop of large sized onions — about two tons in 
all ; these he dispatched to the mines by an ox- 
team and cleared about !i;l,'.200 on the venture 
b\ retailing them at from 40 to 75 cents per 
jionntl. Hog's Hesh had been up to that time a 
scarce commodity ; they had been, however, 
introduced by Alexander in 1S50 or before then. 
At any rate, in that year a di-over named Olm- 
stead came from the mines and wanted to sti'ike 
a bargain with Alexander for certain pigs, the 
price wanted being s50 each. After much hag- 
gling, Olmstead paid the !S1,000 and took the 
twcnt}' pigs. 

Some of the immigrants coming to the Rus- 
sian River Valley at this period cast longing eyes 
upon the fertile lands of Alexander Valley, and 
taking/ it for granted that they knew all the 
intricacies of the land law as relating to Califor- 
nia, occupied such portions as they had a mind 
to; among others who were thus honored by 
the presence of self-invited guests was Cyrus 
Alexaiulei-. With these, liowever, he never 
(piarrelled, but would simply warn them off, 
advising them of the consecjnences should they 
remain. As a rule they went away (juietly, 
Alexander always ]Kiying them a fair jirice for 
any imjH-ovements made. Afterward, finding 
that his property was absolutely needed by those 
who wotdd pay for it, he concluded to dispose 
of all his wild cattle and have the ranch surveyed. 
This he did, dividing it into two reserves, and 
offering the remainder for sale in lots to suit 



purchasers. The valley in this wav became soon 
peopled by immigrants from Illinois, Iowa, 
Tei nessee, Missouri. Indiana, and New York. 

IlKALDSuuitu. — " As the crow flies,"' Ilealds- 
Inirg is about sixty-five miles west of north of 
San Francisco, being thirty-five miles from Teta- 
luma and fifteen from Santa liosa liy the rail- 
road. It occupies a beautiful location on Rus- 
sian River, near its confiueuce with Drj' Creek, 
and rests pleasantly on rising ground between 
the two valleys of Russian River and Dry Creek, 
near to it being the eminence nsually known as 
Fitch Mountain, though there are those who 
name if by the more euphonious tide of Sotoy- 
ome, the name given to the grant made to Cap- 
tain Henry D. Fitch. It is a hill of much 
symmetry, the upper portion being well wooded, 
while at its base are rolling lands, offering the 
advantage of magnificent pasturage; around the 
foot of it meanders the Russian River, clinging 
to the fertile region as if loth to part with the 
Inxnriant vegetation on its slopes. 

The site of the city was originally a portion 
of the grant named above. In the year 1852 
Harmon lleald, who had crossed the plains in 
18i9, and settled in the connty in 1850, not far 
from the position of the future city, located the 
land, the proper ownership of which was at that 
time in dispute. Ileald arguing that shouM it 
turn out to be (Jovernment property he could 
pre-empt it, and if owned privately he would 
have a like oppoitunity offered for purchase. 
On this grou!Ki he erected a small cla]iboard 
cabin, placing it on the side of the main road 
to Mendocino and the counties to the north, 
then tlie only artery for wagon travel in this 
part of thcconntry; he thus seized the oppor- 
tunity, anil jirocuring a small assortment of 
goods, opened a store in the fall of the year, 
ami that winter disjiosed of them, principally to 
the Indians, of whom there were a great num- 
ber, who usually paid for their purchases in cash, 
and the travelers on the route. This election 
stood on the site of the present express office of 
Wells, Fargo A: Co., the original building Iieing 
until lately still standing, a little to the rear 



UTSTORY OP fiONOAfA (JOirNTY. 



2(;V 



tliereuf. Tliis was tlie first building in Healds- 
l)iirg. In tliis winter there caine to live with 
Ileald, Thomas W. Hudson and wife, who as- 
sisted hini in his household and other cares, and 
in the following sjiring, having disposed of his 
original stock in trade, he set to work to re- 
])lenish his shelves, the goods being procured 
in San Francisco, and thence transj)orted by 
steamer to Sonoma, and by wagon or pack, or 
both, to their destination. A blacksmith's shop 
was shortly after built I)y a man of the name of 
Morse, on the site of the store now kept by Sam 
Myers; he, however, was succeeded by William 
Hodge and William Dow, who had moved their 
smithery business from the Russian River 
bardvS, thus making the second building in tlie 
embryo city. The third house was constructed 
by August Knaack, on the ground now occupied 
liy the eastern end of the Sotoyome House, 
where he estaljlished himself, making chairs and 
re])airing wagons. This house adjoined the 
blacksmith shop already mentioned; Knaack, it 
is said, performing all the woodwork in connec- 
tion with that business. Tiiis was in the winter 
of 1853-'4, at which time there also came H. 
M. Wilson, who, with A. B. Aull, entered into 
jtartnersliip with Harmon Heald, who built an 
iuhlition to the store, the business of which was 
afterward controlled by Wilson alone for eight- 
een months. Early in the year 1853, Harmon 
Ileald lost his 3'oungest Ijrother, who had crossed 
the plains, with his mother, sister, and another 
brother, in 1851, his being the first funeral in 
the little settlement, lie was interred by the 
side of a cluster of madronas, in what is now 
tlie school lot, then apparently far away in the 
backwoods, now surrounded on every side by 
houses. His remains along with those of many 
others, were afterward removed to Oak Mound 
(Jemetery. In May of this year there also hap- 
]>ened tlie first birth in the city, in the jierson of 
Henry II., son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. 
Hudson, who soon after moved from the little 
settlement, for we find that in 1854: the town, 
which at that time know no other name than 
that of Ileald's Store, was com]>ose(l oi' the build- 



ings mentioned above, with their occupants, 
Harmon Heald ami his wife, for he had married 
at Mark West Creek in the previous year ; H. 
M. Wilson, AVilliam Dow, William Dodge, and 
August Knaack. About this period was estab- 
lished in Ileald's store the first postal station, 
the nearest office prior to tliat time being at 
Sonoma, whence the mail service was conducted 
by private enterprise, at a charge of two, and, 
sometimes, four bitx a letter. 

Nothing of any importance transpired in the 
following year; in March, 1850, however, .Mc- 
Manus moved his store from its position in Rus- 
sian River Township, making the second store 
within wliat is now known as the cor])orate 
limits of the city of Ilealdsburg. There was 
still another store, but outside the limits, kept 
by a man named Engle. 

In the spring of the year 1S57, the town site 
was surveyed by H. P. Mock, and the lots, with 
the exception of those donated for a district 
school, cemetery, Methodist Episcopal church, 
Baptist church, Methodist Episcopal chnrcli, 
South, Presbyterian church, and plaza, sold by 
private contract. 

In the year 18()7, the town was incorporated 
under the law of the State as it then existed, 
but during the twentieth session of the J^egis- 
lature a S])ecial law was passed incorporating 
the city of Ilealdsburg, which was adopted by 
the vote of the city on April 18, 1874. 

I'/ie First Jiajifisf ( 7i 11 rc/i.— This church was 
first organized at a school house about four 
miles below Ilealdsburg in the summer of 185-1, 
with a membership of ten persons, under the 
pastoi'al care of Rev. S. S. Riley. Subse<jnently 
a house of worship was erected in Ilealdsburg, 
where the congregation Iiold their meetings. 
The building was located about two blocks south 
of the plaza, near West street. In 1868, a new 
church edifice was constructed, and dedicated 
on July 31, 18G!t, by Rev. J. B. Saxon, who 
labored in Ilealdsburg for six years or there- 
abouts. The new building, which is the one 
now occupied, is 34x55 feet, and has a seating 
capacity of 300. 



*(58 



ifrstony oP soifoxtA coUNft, 



The Firxt Prcshijtcriaih Chxtrch of Ilealds- 
Itury. — The history of this church begins with 
the early history of tiie place — being among the 
tirst of the churches established. It was or- 
ganized on tlie 10th of October, 1S58, by the 
Kev. James Woods. Tlie foUowiug named per- 
sons formed the church: i[rs. Elizal)eth Bled- 
soe, Mrs. Jane Drum, Mrs. M. Af. Bonham, 
Mrs. E. A. Woods, Cyrus Alexander, A. P. 
Wilson, Charles Shult, A. B. Boiihaiu, H. M. 
Wilson. Cyrus Alexander was chosen ruling 
elder, and having previously l)een ordained in 
the Tresbyterian church of Santa Kosa, was 
immediately installed in office. 

The Church of Christ.-^T\\h, usually desig- 
nated as the Christian church, was organized in 
Ilealdsburg on December 5, 1857, by Polder F- 
M. Marion, upon the Bible, and tiie Bible alone 
as its foundation. The building is situated in 
North Ilealdsburg, on West street. Originally 
the membership was few, only ten; William 11. 
Tombs was elected bisliop and Natiian ^fore- 
house, deacon. 

Adcettt Churrh, I/ealil.yf/ii/y. — The Seventh- 
Day Adventists of this place have a comfortable 
house of worship, free from debt, built in a. n. 
1871, with a seating capacity of 200. Tlie or- 
ganization was effected by Elder J. X. Loiigh- 
borougii, November 5. 1809. 

J'ro/estunt I'Jpisciqxil i'hvrch. — The Episco- 
pal parish at Ilealdsburg was first founded as a 
mission early in the year 1878, with the Rev. 
T. W. r>rotherton, M. D., as Missionary; F. C. 
S. l>agge, Seinor Warden; John ^'. Baiihaclie, 
Junior Warden, and K. 11. Warfield, Treasurer 
and Secretary. Services were held in the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, South. One year 
afterward it was changed to a parish, with liev. 
Dr. T. W. Brotherton as rector: F. C. S. Bagge, 
Secretary, and H. (t. Lathrop, Dr. J. M. Willey, 
ii. n. Warlield, R. D. Moore and W. G. Swan, 
Vestrymen. 

Sotoyoine Lodge, -Xo. 1-2J, F. A A. M. — 
The tirst meeting of this lodge was held under 
dispensation on January 28, 1858, the charter 
beinsj subserjnently granted under date. May 



13th of that year, the members making applica- 
tion being John N. IJailhache, Worshipful Mas- 
ter; E. Sondheimer, Senior Warden and Ran.soni 
Powell, Junior Warden. Tlie fir^t meeting 
under the charter was had on May ;iO, 1858; 
the officers at the time being, John N. Bail- 
hache. Worshipful ilaster; E. Sondheimer-, 
Senior AVarden; R. Powell. Jnnior Warden; J. 
Ct. McManus, Treasurer; A. B. A.ull, Secretary; 
Joseph Albertson, Senior Deacon; Johnston 
Ireland, Junior Deacon: AVilliam Thornton, 
Tyler. 

TIealdshury Kticampment, No. 50, J. O. (). ]•'. 
— This encampment %vas instituted March 7, 
187G, the charter members being: J. II. Cur- 
tis, J. F. Seaman, J. L. Bates, George J. Tur- 
ner, William B. Tucker, George Allison and 
John R. Paul. The first officers were: John IJ. 
Paul, C. P.; (ieorge J. Tni'iiei', II. P.; (ieorge 
Allison, S. AV.; William 1!. Liuker, J. W.; 
John L. Bates, S.; Jesse F. Seaman, T. ; J. II. 
Curtis, Sentinel. 

Healdslntnj Lodge, So. 67/, /. (>. (>. F.- 
This lodge was originally started in Analy 
Township, the meetings being for the most part 
at the town of liloomfield. Its number then 
was the same as that borne by it now, Init in 
the year 1803 it was moved from that jilacc to 
Healdsburg and its name changed fioiii Analv 
Lodge, by the Grand Lodge, to that which it 
now bears. The following officers served from 
their election in November, 1803, when the 
lodge was moved, and M'ere re-elected on January 
1, 1804, their names also appearing on the 
charter granted by the Grand Lodge: II. M. 
AVilson, N. G.; John Yonng, V. G.; I). Lam- 
phier, Secretary; Ransom Powell, .1. .1. Piper 
and G. Allison. 

Stav of Hope Lodge, No. 32, I. 1). (•' . T. — 
This lodge was instituted May 12, 1801, by D'. 
S. Cutter, of San Francisco, the following being 
the charter members: Mary Jane Downing, 
Mary E. Fenno, f]. .Vntoinette Bagley, Livonia 
M. Lombard, Vesta L. Macey, John D. Hassett. 
Henry D. Ley, J. H. Colwell, T. O. Thompson, 
AV. A. Maxwell, llenrv Sargent, Edwin Collins, 



niSTOBY OP BOifOMA CntNTY. 



S. E. Jlatjsctt, Thomas ii. Ley, John W. 
P.ayley. 

The Bank of Healdshurg. — This institution 
was organized on June 3, 1874, with a capital 
of ,'?100,000, ]iai(l up, in United States gold coin. 
Its original management was under W. S. Ca- 
nan. President, and Charles E. Ilutton, Casliier; 
the directors being W. S. Canan, J. B. Smith, 
John D. Ilassett, II. M. Wilson and J. N. 
Uailhache. The bank building occupies a 
prominent position on the northwest corner of 
the Plaza, wliere a general iianking and ex- 
change business is transacted. It issues letters 
of credit available in all parts of the United 
States and Europe, while its correspondents in 
San Francisco and New York are hazard Freres 
and Lazard Bros. &, V.o. in London. 

The Sonoma Voiinfy Trihvne was founded 
by Isidore Abraliam and Louis Meyer in 
liealdsburg, California, on March 21, 1888. 
On that day tlie first number of the paper 
was issued. It has a fair circulation, and. has 
found a permanent footing in tlie confidence of 
the people in Northern Sonoma. The first- 
named is an attorney at law and graduate of 
Hastings College of the law (State University 
law department), class of '84. He is now 
practicing law in conjunction with the editing 
of the TrUmne, and is its editor-in-chief. He 
has been a resident of this county for about 
eighteen years, during which time he was a 
merchant in CJloverdale, and as a lawyer, prac- 
ticed resjjectively at Cloverdale and Santa liosa 
and Healdsburg. Louis Meyer is a young man 
of eighteen, and a practical printer. He re- 
ceived his education at the Litton Springs Col- 
lege (now located in San Mateo County) under 
the care and guidance of its eminent head. Prof. 
John (Tainble. lie is young in years but old 
iii experience as a printer, his entrance into 
that profession dating almost Ijack to his in- 
fancy. The TrUmne is a stanch advocate of 
Republicanism, and its columns were devoted 
during the last campaign to the advance- 
ment of that party to power and to its old-time 
prestige. 



IsiDOKK AiiKAUAM, editor in chief of the 
Sonoma County Tribune, ha. native of Eastern 
Prussia, l)orn March 14, 1859, his parents being 
Casper and Sojdiia Al>raham. The father fol- 
lowed mercantile j)ursuits in his native countrj'. 
In 186() the family came to America, locating 
for a time in San F^rancisco. Afterwai'd they 
removed to Oregon, and after a residence there 
of two years, they came to Sonoma County, 
locating in Santa Rosa where the father engaged 
in business. Isidore Abraham, the subject of 
this sketch, received his education in the public 
schools of Santa Rosa and Cloverdale. In 1872 
he came to llealdsbui-g and engaged as clerk 
with ills brother-in-law, Samuel Meyer. In 
1875 he went to Cloverdale and there took the 
place of an elder brother (who had gone to Ore- 
gon) in his father's store. By 1878 he had 
accumulated enough to buy his father's interest, 
and the firm became R. Abraham A: Bm., and 
so continued until 1883. In the meantime he 
had decided to adopt the profession of law, and 
in 1881 went to Ukiah, ]V[endocino County, 
where he read with Thomas L. Carothers, a 
gentleman 25'"0"ii"ent in legal and political 
circles. After seven months of close applica- 
tion he entered Ilasting's College of the Law 
(law department of theState Universit}'), from 
which institution he graduated in May, 1884, 
and on motion of I'rofessor Poniero}', was ad- 
mitted to practice in the Supreme Court of 
California, lie soon commenced practice in the 
firm of Abraham & Schlessinger, San Francisco. 
Eight months lat(>r he returned to Sonoma 
County, and after a short time spent in practice 
at Cloverdale, removed to Santa Rosa, and in 
January, 1888, located at Healdsburg. 

On the 2l8t of March following, in <-om- 
pany with Louis Meyer, he issued the first 
number of the Sonoma Countij Tribune, which 
was soon established on a paying basis. Mr. 
Abraham is conductor of Lodge No. 64, I. O. 
O. F., Healdsburg, and a member and officer 
of Encampment, No. 56. He is Past Master 
Workman of Cloverdale Lodge, No. 32, -\. O. 
U. W., and belongs to Bay City Lodge, No. 



370 



niSTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



117, ]v. of P.. Sail Francisco, of which lie is 
Past Chancellor. He is alsu a member of 
Curtis Lodge, No. 140. A. F. iV: A. M., Clover- 
dale. Politicallj', he is a Republican, and sup- 
ports the party in an able manner through the 
columns of his paper. He conducts his Jour- 
nalistic and legal business with singular skill and 
success, and his high character and unimpeach- 
able record as inei'chant, lawyer and journalist, 
extending over a period of eighteen years, have 
placed hiin high in the estimation and confi- 
dence of the people in tlie county. 

ITealdshurrj Enterjirise. — This is a combina- 
tion of the Fl<-iij and Enterpritie. There have 
been many changes of proprietors. The present 
proprietors are J. M. Alexander and C. 11. 
Pond. They publish a good local journal. 

.III. us ^r. Ai.KXAXDEK, of Healdsburg, is a 
native of Sonoma County, having l)een born in 
Alexander Valley, October 14, 1S57. His 
father, Charles Alexander, came to California 
from Illinois in 1850, and for eleven years re- 
sided in Sonoma County. In 1801 he went to 
San Jose, three years later came back to So- 
noma ('ounty and has lived at lleahlsbnrg ever 
since. The mother of the subject of this 
sketch, whose maiden name was Achsah Smith, 
was born in Wayne County, New York. Julius 
M. Alexander was reared mostly at Healdsl)urg 
and received his early school training in Alex- 
ander Academy. He afterward attended Napa 
College, from which he graduated in the class 
of 1S78, with the degree of 0. S. After leav- 
ing school he entered the oftice of Wells, Fargo 
A: Co. In the year 1882 he was car express and 
baggageman on the Carson »k Colorado Railroad. 
After this he located at Sonora, Tuolumne 
County, where he was operator and express 
agent for a year. He then came to Healdsburg 
and became a member of the general mercantile 
firm of Alexander Bros. A; Co. That partner- 
ship continued until 1883, when he liought out 
the dry goods department, and ran it alone un- 
til the firm became C. II. Pond iJc Co. His 
next undertaking was in the newspaper busi- 
ness. He is Past President of Sotoyome Parlor, 



N. S. (i. W.. anil is \'ice Commandci- of the 
local lodge, l^'giuii of the AVest. 

CiiAKLKs II. Po.Mi, of the Enterprise Publish- 
ing Company, Healdsburg. is a native of Cali- 
fornia, born at Todd, Placer County, Fel)ruary 
13, 1858, his parents being A. A. and Olive M. 
(Constable) Pond. His father came to Califor- 
nia in 1849, and located in Placer County. In 
the early days he ran a pack train between Sac- 
ramento and the mines, and became a large 
mine owner and operator. He died in 1880. 
Charles II. Pond, the subject of this sketch, re- 
ceived a public school education in Placer 
County, and afterward attended Napa College, 
where he graduated in 1877. For three years 
after he was engaged in mining in Placer 
County, and then went to Ilollister, San Benito 
County, where he was in the drug business for 
a year and a half. He then went to San Fran- 
cisco to complete his education as a druggir-t 
and pharmacist, but his father's death caused 
his return home to settle up the estate. He 
next opened a general merchandise estaljlish- 
ment at Los Gatos, and after a year returned 
home. In May, 1880, he came to Ileahlsburg 
and engaged in the grocery business in the firm 
of C. H. Pond k Co. With Julius Alexander 
he became a partner in the publication of the 
Healdsburg Enterprise, the first numiicr being 
issued by the firm March 2, 1888. .Mr. Pond 
is a member of the A. O. U. W., 1. O. O. F.. 
and is President of vSotoyome Parlor, X. S. Cr. 
W. In the latter order he is District Deputy 
for Sonoma and Marin counties, having been 
elected in April, 1888. 

iMiNA .losKFA I'rrcn. 

As history, at best, deals mostly in dry de- 
tails of prosaic occurrences, it is a leal relief to 
the reader to be relieved by an occasional inter- 
polation of the spice of romance. Mrs. Dona 
Josefa Fitch, who long resided in Mendocino 
Township, and who is yet living, a very aged 
matron, is the heroine of the following romance, 
as related by Hubert Howe Bancroft: 

•' Here I may introduce the romantic episode 



IITfiTOHT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



of Henry Fitch's inarriage to a daiigliter of Cal- 
ifornia, a lady still living in 1889. The young 
American sailor liad first arrived in 182(), and 
had soon surrendered to the chai'uis of Dona 
Josefa, dautjhter of Juacjuin ("arrillo, (jf San 
Diego, who in turn \va> won, as she states in a 
narrative written iifty years later, l)y the liand- 
soinc person and clashing manners of the Cap- 
tain. In 1827 he gave her a written promise 
of marriage. There were legal impediments on 
aecount of the fact that Fitch was a foreigner; 
hut the 3'oung lady's jiarents ajiproved the 
match, and a Dominican friar consented to per- 
form the cei'emony. It was hoped there would 
lie no interference by eitiier civil or ecclesiastical 
authorities, yet a degree of secrecy was observed. 
As an essential preliminary. Padre Menendez 
iiaptised the American, April 14, 182U, at 
the presidial chajiel of San Diego. The friar 
promised to marry tlie couple the next day; 
preparations were made and a few friends as- 
sembled late in the evening at the house of the 
Carrillos. xVt the last moment, however, Dom- 
ingo ('arrillo, uncle of the bride, refused to 
serve as witness; the friar's courage failed him, 
and the ceremony could not proceed. Neither 
the arguments and angry ravings of the Yankee 
nui-h) nor the tears and entreaties of the nana 
could overcome the padre's fears and scruples; 
but he reminded Fitcli that there were other 
countries where the laws were less stringent, 
and even offered to go in person and marry him 
anywhere beyond the limits of California. 
" AVhy don't yon carr}' me off, Don Enriijue?'' 
naively suggested Dona Josefa. .Captain IJarry 
approved the scheme, and so did Pio Pico, 
cousin of the lady. The parents were not con- 
sulted. Fitch, though somewhat cautious on 
account of his business relations and prospects 
on the coast, was not a man to rerjuire urging. 
Kext niglit, Pio Pico, mounted on his best 
steed, took his cousin Josefa up on the saddle, 
and carried her swiftly to a sjiot on the bay 
sliore, where a boat was waiting; the lovers 
were soon reunited on board the Y iiitiir: ; and 
])efore morning were far out on the Pacilic. 



They were married on the evening of July 8, 
at Valjjaraiso, by the curate Orrego, Captain 
Barry being one of the witnesses. Subsequently 
they returned to Callao and l>ima. 

"The elopement of Senorita Carrillo was nat- 
urally much talked of in California; rumors. 
were current that she hail been forciiily abduct- 
ed from her home, and the ecclesiastical author 
ities w-ere greatly scandalized. Ne.xt year, 
however, Fitch made liis appearance in command 
of the Le<nun\ having on board also his wife and 
infant son. lie touched at San Diego in duly, 
1830, and thence came uj) to San Pedro. Here 
he received a summons from Padre Sanciiez at 
San Gabriel, vicar and ecclesiastical judge of the 
territory, to present him>elf f(.)r trial on the most 
serious charges; but he merely sent his marriage 
certificate by Virmond for the vicar's inspection, 
and sailed np the coast for Santa I'arbara and 
Monterey. Sanchez at once sent an order to 
! Monterey that Fitch be arrested and sent to San 
(labriel for trial, ]J)ona Josefa being ' de])osi ted ' 
in some respectable house at the capital. This 
order was e.xecuted by Echeaiidia, at the end of 
August on the arrival ^yi \\\g Leonov. The lady 
was sent to Captain Coojier's house, and the hus- 
band was placed under arrest. lie claimed, 
however, to be unable to travel by land. He 
protested against imprisonment as ruinous to 
his business, complained that the trial had not 
been begun at San Diego and asked that at least 
he might be allowed to travel by sea. Jose Pa- 
lomares, to whom as fiscal, Padre Sanciiez sub- 
mitted this rerjuest, gave a radical report against 
Fitch. Sej)tember 17th. declaring him entitled to 
no concessions, his offences l)eing most heinous, 
and his intention being evidently to run away 
again. Yet Sanchez concluded to permit the 
trip by sea, on Yirinond becoming bondsman 
for the culprit's presentment in due time; and 
on December 8th, Fitch arrived at San (Tabriel 
and was made a prisoner in one of the mission 
rooms. 

Meanwhile .Mrs. Filch petitioned Fcheaudia 
at the end of October for release, and permis- 
sion to go south by sea. The tiovernor con- 



IIISTony OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



sented, ami iJoiia Joseta sailed on tlie Ayacucho 
tor Siiuta liiirbara, whence she proceeded on tlie 
Pocahontas to San Pedro, arriving at San (th 
l)riel on November 24tli, where she was 
committed to the care of Enlaiia Perez of later 
centenarian fame. AVhen her husband came, 
the house of Dona Eulalia was deemed too near 
his prison, and Josefa was transferred to the 
care of Mrs. William A. Kichardson. The tiscal 
pronounced Echeaudia's act a gross infringment 
(in ecclesiastical authority, declared him a cul- 
jirit before God's tribunal, and urged that 
he be arrested and brought to trial. But 
Vicar Sanchez, though taking a similar view \ 
of Echeaudia's conduct, thought it best, in 
view of the critical condition of affairs and 
the nearness of the time when Victoria was to 
take command, not to attempt the Governors 
arrest. 

In December, Fitch and his wife were repeat- 
edly interrogated before the ecclesiastical court, 
and Fiscal Palomares for a third time ventilated 
his legal learning, lie now admitted his belief 
that the motives of the accused had been honest 
and pure, also that the affair might be settled 
without referring it to the bishop, but still 
maintaining the nullity of the marriage. I'itch 
presented in his own behalf an elaborate argu- 
ment against the views of the fiscal, complaining 
of his business losses, and of the threatened 
illegitimacy of his son, but for which he would 
lie glad to have the marriage declared nnll and 
to marry over again. Many witnesses were ex- 
amined, both at San Gabriel and San Diego. On 
the 28th of December the vicar rendered his 
decision, Christi nomine invocato, that the fiscal 
had not substantiated his accusations; that 
the marriage at A'alparaiso, though not legit- 
imate, was not null, but valid; that the parties [ 
be set at liberty, the wife being given up to the 
husl)and; and that they be reladoa the ne.xt 
Sunday, receiving the sacraments that ought 
to have pireceded the marriage ceremony. Yet, 
considering the great scandal which Don i 
Enrique has caused in this pirovince, I con- 
demn liiin to give as n penance and reparation 



a liell of at least lil'ty pounds in weight for 
the church at Los .\ngeles, which barely has a 
l)orrowed one. Moreover, the couple must pre- 
sent themselves in church with lighted candles 
in their hands to hear high mass for three flios 
festii'os, and recite together for thirty days one- 
third of the rosary of the holy virgin. Let us 
hope that these acts of penance were devoutly- 
performed. The vicar did not fail to order an 
investigation of the charges against Padre 
Menendez, who had acted irregularly in ail- 
vising the })arties to leave the country, but 
nothing is recorded of the result." 

TMl; WII KKKSHAM TKAOEII^. 

To Mendocino Township can be accredited 
one of the most tragic occurrences in coiinecti(;u 
with Sonoma County history. The Petaluma 
Ai(jus of January 23, 1881). contained the fol- 
lowing: 

" About three o'clock r. m. Thursday, the citi- 
zens of Petaluma were shocked by the receipt (jf 
a telephone from Skaggs' Springs to I. G. 
Wickersham, announcing that his nephew, J. 
C Wickersham, had been found munlered on 
his mountain ranch, about twenty miles west of 
Cloverdale. The news was carried from mouti] 
to mouth, and soon the horror was the theme of 
conversation on every hand. Following the tele- 
phone came a dispatch to Coroner King similar 
in import, but with the additional information 
that it was supposed that Mrs. Wickersham, who 
is a sister of the wife of I. G. AVickersham of 
this city, was also mui'dered. This but intensi- 
fied the e.xcitement, and added to the gloom of 
our people. 

" xis it was near time for the up-train, Fred 
Wickersham, Coroner King and Marshal Plume 
got ready and started for the scene of the 
tragedy." 

The down train Saturday morning brought 
tidings that but lentdensity to thegeneral gloom. 

The news came in the shape of a letter from 
F>ed Wickersham to his father, I. G. Wicker- 
sham. the wfll-knciwn banker. It was as fol- 
lows: 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



>* Ci.ovKKDAi.K, Satui-tlHy, 1 A. .M. 

'• J/y JJeiir Father: I'luine and 1 have just 
ari'ived liere alter an eight-hour ride. We found 
the dispatcli too true. Uncle Jesse and Auntie 
are no more. W'c ;;()t to the ranrli at !.l o'elock 
Friday nioi-nintr, an<l went innncdiateiy to the 
liousc. Jesse sat in his accustomed place at the 
talilc. with a talilc-cloth wrapped around his 
liead and Hve huckshut woumls hack of liis ear, 
and a charge of the same in liis side. 

'• Auntie was found in her bedroom in liori'i- 
ble condition. I have made all arrangements 
to have them taken to Ilealdshnrg to-day (Sat- 
urday), and will have them placed in plain 
boxes for shijiment, unless otherwise ordered 
by you, and they will be down on the 4 o'clock 
train. 

" Meet us at the dejiot with all necessary 
preparations. Without a doubt the Chinese 
cook committed the act, as he has not been seen 
tliis week, ile fired the fatal shot while stand- 
ing about seven feet from Jesse, tlirough a crack 
in tlie door. AVill be with you this evening, 
and will explain further. Jireak this as gently 
as possible to mother. 1 have everything of 
value belonging to them with me. lie was 
killed ifonday evening at the supper table. 
Must go to bed and catcli a few hours' sleep. 
Blumc is doing everything possible to catch the 
Chinaman. Good-by. FKi:r)." 

The first information in reference to the 
tragedy was througli J. ]v Jewell, who has a 
ranch adjoining the Wickersliam place. It 
seems that there were four Indians who had a 
camp on the latter ranch and were engaged in 
cutting wood for Mr. Wickersliam. Mr. Jewell 
states that about half-past five o'clock on Wed- 
nesday evening, two of these Indians visited 
his place and aski'd: " You see Wickersliam T' 
'• Js'o." I answered. •• I no see,"' was the reply. 
Tlien they asked for some tobacco, which I gave 
them, when tliey again queried: "Where Wick- 
ersliam f' and then again: '• You come Wicker- 
sliam'il'' I jiacified tliein by saying that I would 
go over the next day. 1 rode over early the 
next morning and got as tar as to the barn, 



when I looked over the picket fence and deter- 
mined to go and get the two Indians who had 
been to see me to accompany me to the house. 
They were encamped some 300 yards away. I 
asked tlicm again when they had seen AVicker- 
sham, and they replied 10 a. m. Monday, but 
not since. They said they had gone down to 
the liouse, and fearful of aj)proachiiig it, they 
had stood afar off and hallooed for Wickersliam, 
but without an answer. Taking tlie two In- 
dians witli me I attempted to open the door of 
the sitting room, but found it locked. The 
window was down and I pulled out the sash. 
The Indians suggested that I should come round 
to the dining-room. I did so. The door did 
not yield. I went to the window, i)ullei| a^ide 
the lilind, and there my eyes fell ni>oii the rigid 
form of my old fiiend — a Itlanket aliout his 
head and hi.s feet in a jiool of blood. 1 was 
liorror-strickcn. I left the spot immediately, 
knowing that the foulest of foul crimes had 
been committed, and I hastened to Skaggs' 
Springs to give the alarm."' 

From the time to which the above relates 
until o'clock Friday inoiTiing the stillness of 
death reigned in tlie recently liap2)y Wicker- 
sliam home. 

At about « o'clock Thursday night, F)-ed. 
Wickersliam, Marsiial lilume, and Constable 
Truett, of Ilealdsburg, with a man named Mar- 
tin as guide, left Ilealdsburg for the tragic 
scene. In consequence of tlie darkness and 
swollen condition of Warm Spring Creek, they, 
with great ditiiculty, reached Skaggs' S])rings 
late in the night. Early in the morning they 
started forward, joined by J. E. Jewell and 
George Skaggs. and reached the Wickersliam 
liouse about o'clock in the forenoon. 

They found Captain J. C. Wickersham rigid 
in death, and in the same position in the cliaii- 
at the (lining-table as he had been seen by the 
horrified J\Ii-. -lewell. Search was then made, 
and Airs. AVickersham was found in her bed- 
room murdered in the most cruel and atrocious 
manner. So black and shocking would be tlie 
recital that it is but charity to the stricken ivl- 



HISTOHY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Mtives living in our midst lu rutVaiii from p;ir- 
ticuiarizing 

Ail siin-oundiiig circumstiuices clearly pointed 
to tlie missing ("liinesc coolc, Ang Tai Due, as 
the i)erpetrator uf the deed; and the statement 
of the Indians taken in conjunction witli the 
fact lliiit the diary of Captain Wickersham was 
written up to Sunda\- evening, indicated that 
the fiendish deed was perpetrated at the time 
tlir unsuspecting \ictinjs had taken their places 
at till' talile for their Monilay evening meal. 
The hiscuits were on the table and the stove, 
and were but little eaten. Fried potatoes were 
on ^Frs. AVickersham's plate, and the cake and 
])ie were untouched. Tlie oun stood in the 
corner, close to or in the kitchen. The China- 
man Hi-ed through the partly open kitchen 
door, where he was evidently out of sight of 
Mrs. Wickersliam, wlio sat opposite to her hus- 
band. The shot evidently killed the Captain 
instantly. His plate and food were overturned 
in his lap. Mrs. Wickersham jumped up, 
turned over her chair, dropping her najikin on 
the tloor, and ran to her bedroom. Ilasing re- 
loaded the gun he tired both charges at her, the 
shot passing through her body under the arms. 
Two emi)ty cartridges found on the stove liad 
evidently been removed from the gun when it 
was reloaded after the shooting of the Captain. 
The Chinese cook took a few tilings from l)is 
trunk, leaving a Chinese memorandum book 
and several bottles of whiskj-. iTarshal Blume 
also found in the Chinaman's trunk a melano- 
tv])e of a grouj) of four Chinamen, conspicuous 
among whom was Ang Tai l)uc, the missing 
cook. So far as known the murderer got about 
s80 in coin, but left ]\[rs. "Wickersliam's gold 
watch and other jewelry, together with some 
odd pieces of coin. 

The ne.xt thing was to ])ay the last kind 
offices to the dead. Fred. Wickersham. and 
those who attended him on this sad pilgrimage, 
had the deceased each habilitated in appropriate 
apparel, and arrangements made for their con- 
veyance to lleahlsburg, and from thence to 
I\'taluina by the cars. 



Those in charge of the bodies started Satur- 
day morning, using a covered wagon as a con- 
veyance, and aiming to reach Jlealdsburg by 
way of .Skaggs' Springs. Tlie storm and tempest 
was rioting in the mountains, and the winds 
crooning in dirge-like notes tlirough the forests 
seemed a fit accompaniment to this lonesome 
funeral march. The mountain streams were 
swollen into migiity toi-rents, and altiiough 
every effort was made to combat and overcome 
the obstacles interposed by the elements, the 
bodies did not reach this city until four o"clock 
Sunday evening. 

At that hour hundreds of our citizens were 
congregated at the depot, and sorrow and sad- 
ness brooded over the assembled throng. On 
the arrival of the cars the boxes containing the 
bodies were (quickly transferred to the vehicles 
in waiting and taken to the undertaking estali- 
lishment of C. Blackburn, wiiere the\' were 
placed in elegant caskets and conveyed to the 
residence of 1. G. Wickersham, Es(j., on Sixth 
street. 

Ten o'clock Monday was fixed uj)on as the 
time for the funeral, to take place from the St. 
John's Episcopal Church. From that hour to 
one o'clock v. >r., every place of business and 
the hanging of fiags at half mast attested the 
high esteem in which Mr. and Mrs. Wicker- 
sliaiii w(U'e held by all. ■ The services at tiie 
church were short, but most solemn and impres- 
sive. At the church the members of Petaluina 
Lodge, No. 77, !•'. ».*c A. M., of wliich lodge 
Mr. Wickersham was a member, took charge, 
and the two hearses with their precious burthens, 
followed by a long procession, wended their way 
to Cypress Hill cemetery. There this ill-starred 
and deepl}- mourned couple were laid peacefully 
to rest in the lap of mother earth. 

We close this sad cliapter about these two so 
ruthlessly stricken down in the prime and use- 
fuhiess of life with a few words biographical. 
They were both fifty-three years of age. .Vt the 
commencement of the late civil war Mr. Wicker- 
sham eiili.sted in the Second Iowa Infantry, 
and when discharged with Sherman's army after 



iriSTOUY OF ISONOMA COUNTY. 



the war, was Regimental Quartermaster of his 
regiment, with rank of Captain. At tlie close 
of the war in 1865, lie came to Petalnma and 
was with his nncle, I. G. Wickersham, presi- 
dent of the First National Gold Bank, and for 
some years was assistant cashier of that insti- 
tution. Mrs. Wickersham, whose maiden name 
was Picket, and who was a younger sister of 
Mrs. I. G. Wickersham, came to Petaluma in 
the latter j'ears of 1850, being then Mrs. Lins- 
ley. Her husband died, and after a widowhood 
of many years she married Captain J. C. Wick- 
ersham. Both husband and wife were in rather 
poor health. Mr. AVickersham purchased the 
ranch where tliey met their tragic death, and 
stocking it with sheep, the twain decided to 
seek a renewal of hcaltii in mountain life. From 
the lips of both the writer of this had the as- 
surance that their health was never better than 
in their chosen mountain home. Neither earth 
nor heaven gave to tliem or their many friends 
any portent of the terrible calamity impending. 
Joyous and ha])py together in life — but a brief 
period intervened, and they were united in 
death. They sleep in one grave. Peace to 
their ashes. 

Ang Tai Due, the perpetrator of this black 
crime, in the meantime had reached San Fran- 
cisco, and before his victims were buried was 
well out to sea, on his way to China. But the 
swift-winged electricity was put upon iiis track, 
and when the vessel reached Yokohama, Japan, 
Ang Tai Due was arrested and sent on to China 
to beheld until a requisition for him could be 
sent from the United States. An otiiccr armed 
witli the necessary papers, and accompanied by 
S. P. Weston, of Petalnma, to identify the 
criminal, started to China, 1)ut before they 
reached Hong Kong, Ang Tai Due had hung 
himself in his prison cell. 

CLOVERDALE TOWNSHIP, 

Situated at the most northern point in the 
county, ('loverdale Township is a gateway to 
Mendocino and Lake counties. It contains ()2,- 
4Uf) acres, asses.sed !i>;5-lo,ll(), or an average of 



.'?5.50 per acre. Total assessed value of all 
property $820,660. Much of this land is cov- 
ered with chemisal, with iiere and there " bald 
liills " and grassy glades where cattle and sheep 
pasture. Russian River extends along the 
center of the township, forming one of the 
most lovely and fertile vallej's in the State. Its 
population in 1880 was 1,265, increased to over 
2,000 since then. The only town within its 
limits is Cloverdale, comprising about 1,000 in- 
habitants, and at the present northern terminus 
of the San Francisco & North Pacific Rail- 
road, and from here wagons haul freight and 
the stages convey passengers north through 
Mendocino County, northeast through Lake 
County and west to the Geysers center. Wool, 
wine, fruit, cattle and cereals all are produced 
in abundance. The climate is superb. Clover- 
dale was named by the late F. G. Hahman, of 
Santa Rosa. A railroad has been graded and 
most of the rails already laid which will unite 
Cloverdale with Ukiah, the county seat of Men- 
docino County. 

Cloverdale. — Tiiis is the only town in the 
township, and had its commencement in this 
wise: In the year 1856, R. B. Markle and W. 
J. Miller purchased 850 acres, which included 
the present site of Cloverdale, from Johnson 
Horrell, who claimed a portion of the Rancho 
de Musalacon. In 1850, J. A. Kleiser bought 
the property of the above named parties and, 
in October of that year, had the site surveyed and 
the town laid out by J. B.Wood, county surveyor. 

A man named Levi Rosenburg opened the first 
store in this part of the country, on the east 
side of the Russian River, near its confluence 
with Sulphur Creek, some time early in 1851). 
In Octoiier of that year J. H. Ilartman and F. 
Ci. Haiiman of Santa Rosa conceived the idea 
of establishing a trading post at Markle's 
place — by which name Cloverdale was then 
known — it being on the route taken by travelers 
to Mendocino and Humboldt. The first hotel 
was opened l)y R. B. Markle about this time in 
the house now occupied by John Fields on East 
street, and was called the Cloverdale Hotel. 



HISroUY OF SONOMA COCNTY. 



On Kleiser becoming possessed of the property 
he succeeded Markle in the hotel business as 
well, and kept it for one year from September, 
1859. Tlie first house within the town of 
(Moverdale was an adohe, owned liy a Spaniard. 

On February 28, 1872, an act ineorporatinu- 
tlie town of Cloverdale was apjjroved. Under 
this act the following were appointed trustees 
in May, 1872: Harry Kier, Amasa Morse, John 
Field, W. E. Crigler and Theodore Harper. 

Tlie town is coziiy nestled among the hills 
and possesses a number of neat i-esidences, more 
in proportion than in most places of no greater 
jiopulatioii. 

Of the piinciple business hlocks, Union Block, 
located on the corner of AVest and First streets, 
deserves special inention. It is a two story 
well appearing brick building. The tirst floor 
is divided into three large store rooms, occu- 
pied by Piuschower »fc Humbert, dealers in dry 
goods and notions; Fred Yordi, groceries, etc.; 
post-ofHce, real estate office of J. F. lloadley, 
Sr., and A. C. Walsh, dealer in stationery. A 
tine, laree, commodions town hall and theater 
is on the second floor, also lodge room used by 
the A. O. U. W. 

Another imposing block is the ('loverdale 
]^>anking and Commercial Company's building, 
corner West and Second streets. It is a two- 
story brick building; tlie lirst floor is used en- 
tirely in the display of goods carried by the 
coni])any, as is seen by their advertisement else- 
where, and the banking department, with $200,- 
000 authorized capital. Tiie second floor is one 
of as finely equipped lodge rooms as is found in 
the State. It is used by the Masons, Odd Fel- 
lows, Knights of I'ythias, Chosen Friends and 
Indejjcndent Order of (Jood Templars. Tiiese 
two buildings would reflect creditably to towns 
of larger population. 

Besides the above mentioned, with other 
prominent houses, there is the Carrie- Moulton 
brick block, occupied by W. T. Brush, dealer 
ill groceries, hardware, etc., and J. A. Carrie, 
dealer in dry goods and notions. 

I'^lrst CoHijreyntliinal Churcti. — The uut- 



growth of this church was from the labors of 
Rev. James S. Burger, a missionary of the 
American Home Mission Society, who com- 
menced his labors in that district on November 
1, ISliS. A congregation was organized by 
Rev. James H. W^arren. 1). !)., tlien agent in 
California for that society, uii January 17. 1809, 
consisting of tlie following members: Rev. 
James S. Burger and Mrs. Burger, Mrs. Charles 
Coole^', Mrs. J. A. Carrie, Mrs. II. F. Gerkhart, 
Mrs. Sarah Hall and Mrs. John Edwards. It 
was then resolved to erect a place of worship. 
and a building committee appointed, consist- 
ing of David C. Brush, Charles II. Cooley, 
James A. Kleiser, Thomas S. Calvin and Harry 
Kier. This edifice was commenced in 187<)aud 
completed during the following year, being sit- 
uated in Block L, West street, and cost about 
$2,500. It is 30.\50 feet, and has a belfry, in 
which hangs a well-toned bell, presented by J. 
B. Ford, of Mendocino City, which cost .s800. 

Catholic Church. — This church commenced 
holding services about the year 1870, in tiie 
Cloverdale Hotel and other places till 1878, 
when tlie present beautiful little church on 
Block A, corner Main and Broad streets, was 
erected. It was dedicated May 7, 1870, by 
Archbishop Aleniany, of San PVancisco. Ser- 
vices are held once a month by Father J. ^I. 
Conway, of Santa Rosa. 

SociETiKs.— f M/'i'/.s Lodije, A"». 1(;0, F. cL- 
A. M. — This lodge commenced work under 
dispensation, August 8, 1859, with William II. 
Hollis, W. M.; Eli Lester, S. W.; T. J. Gould, 
J. W. ; J. B. Estees, Treasurer; Thomas John- 
son, Secretary; James Rainey, S. 1).; N. L. 
Morrey, J. D. ; Samuel Larson, Tyler, wiio with 
J. W. P.elden, were the charter members. The 
first meetings were held in a building now occu- 
pied by Charles Cook as a saloon in block J. 
On May 10, 1860, the charter was granted. In 
tiie summer of 1870, the lodge moved into a 
building, the tirst one north from their former 
room, where they are now located. 

Cloverdale Lodge, No. 193, I. O. (J. F.— 
Tills lodge was organized December 2, 1871, 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



with li. A. Ziinmennan, N. G.; J. L. Dough- 
erty, V. G. ; Jasper A. Linville, Recording Sec- 
retary; F. D. Mize, Treasurer; wlio were with 
Philip How, the charter metnljers. 

Vlorerdale Loihje, No. 32, A. <>. U. W.— 
The Lodge of Ancient Order of United Work- 
men at Cloverdale was granted its charter May 
3, 1878, the following being the officers at the 
time: Isaac E. Shaw, i\ M. W.; C. A. Will- 
iams, M. W.; W. D. Sink, G. F.; W.F. Brush, 
O. ; C. FI. Bean, Recorder; J. A.Carrie, Finan- 
cier; J. F. Hoadley, Receiver; John B. Cooley, 
Guide; W. N.Waite, I. W. ; Frank Spencer, O. W. 

The Cloverdale Reveille is a well established 
journal, and is well conducted. Baer & Wilbert 
are its present proprietors, and they make of it 
a good newsy local jonrnal. 

(teoe(je B. Baer, of the Cloverdale Receille, 
was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, 
March 31, 1863, his parents being II. L. and 
Lucy E. (Schall) Baer. Both parents were na- 
tives of Pennsylvania, and the paternal great- 
grandfather on his mother's side was a Huguenot 
exile, and on his father's side of German de- 
scent. George B. Baer was reared in his native 
county, and was educated at the Elderidge 
Academy, Elderidge, Pennsylvania. He had 
in the meantime learned the printer's trade in 
the office of the Somerset Herald. In 1884, 
after finishing liis education, he came to Cali- 
fornia, and, locating at Cloverdale, February, 
1885, embarked in the newspaper business. In 
September, 1887, he formed a partnership with 
P. Wilbert in the real estate business, and in 
August, 1888,' the two became associated also 
in the newspaper business. While residing in 
Cloverdale his business relations have been as 
newspaper publisher, real estate broker and in- 
surance agent. In 1887 he was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Sarah Markell, a native of 
Wales, Storniont County, Ontario, Canada. Mr. 
Baer is master of finance of the local lodge, 
K. of P., secretary of the Cloverdale fire 
dej)artment, and chief councilor of the order 
of Chosen Friends. 

P. Wii.uEur, of tiie firm of liacr cV Wiliiert. 



Cloverdale, is a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, 
born September 12, 1849, and a son of Valen- 
tine and Elizabeth (Kling) Wilbert, both of 
whom were natives of Germany. His father 
was born in 1792, and was a soldier in the war 
between Russia and Prussia in 1812, and lived 
to the age of eighty-six years, settling in Ohio 
in the year 1882. P. Wilbert resided in his 
native county until 1869, when he came o\it to 
California, locating for a time at San Francisco. 
He obtained employment on Government work, 
and was for some time engaged in building light 
houses, also on the Fog Signal at Point Reyes, 
Marin County. He next went into the em- 
ploy of the California Pacific (now Donahue) 
Railroad, as engine wiper, and after six weeks 
was employed at firing. He w-as promoted to 
be engineer in 1873, and remained on the road 
in that capacity until 1881. Then he went on 
the South Pacific Coast Railroad, on which he 
was engaged, and was next employed in the 
same capacity on the Central Pacific, running 
for a time out to Sacramento, then out to Los 
Angeles. At the latter place he was taken sick, 
and went to Bartlett Spi'ings. Recovering his 
health, he came to Cloverdale in September, 
1887, and entered into partnership with Mr. 
Baer in the real estate and insurance business. 
In August, 1888, he became a partner in the 
newspaper business. Mr. Wilbert was married 
in 1876 to Miss Carrie Petty. She died in Oak- 
land, in February, 1885. Mr. Wilbert is a 
member of Garden City Lodge, I. O. O. F., San 
Jose, and of the encampment at Petaluma. He 
has passed all the chairs in the Pacific Lodge, 
No. 7, A. O. U. AV., Oakland, and is a member 
of Leland Stanford Division, No. 283, B. of L. 
E. Mr. Wilbert is an enterprising, active man, 
and, with Mr. Baer, has done his share toward 
advancing the interests of Cloverdale. 

Cloverdale is now well supplied with hotels 
and all kinds of business houses. It is a favor- 
ite resort for people in quest of health and pleas- 
ure. Its close proximity to several resorts at 
mineral springs, and being close to mountainous 
regions that will always afford amusement to 



HISTORY OF SOXOMA COL'SrT. 



sportsmen, it will ever be a place where will 
coiii^regate people of means and leisure. The 
(Moverdule liereille says: 

As a summer resort ('loverdale is a most 
desirable place. Xestled, as it is, among the 
mountains of tlie t'oast Range, it aifords amuse- 
ment and recreation for all classes of people. 
Game of every description, including bear, deer, 
and a large variety of smaller game, abound in 
the vicinity, and the mountain streams, well 
stocked with trout, invite unlimited sport for 
the angler. The artist is in his glory amid the 
romantic scenes that abound in the surrounding 
mountains. 

l^ocalities with refreshing springs, atfording 
delightful shady nooks for picnic parties and 
campers, are found with surroundings to suit 
the taste of the pleasure seeker, and in close 
proximity to town, so that headquarters can be 
had in Cloverdale, while your time can be most 
enjoyably spent among nature's handiwork. 

Mineral springs in great number are to be 
fuuiid in the immediate vicinity of town. The 
most conspicuous of which we could mention is 
Alder Glen, about two and a half miles from 
town. There is no place in the State, we can 
truthfully say, so beautifully and conveniently 
located as Alder Glen. There is a line drive- 
way to the place, and as you enter the glen you 
are at once impressed with the grandeur of the 
place. The mammoth redwoods afford a most 
cool shade. The water is indeed sparkling and 
bursts forth from four springs, each containing 
different minerals. The soda and sulphur 
spring is most prized for its health giving 
properties. Around the springs the grounds 
are laid out and pleasant walks are made through 
the canon. Arrangements are being made to 
build a hotel to accommodate those who go there 
to enjoy its waters and beautiful mountain scen- 
ery. This place is destined to become a very 
popular resort. 

The most popular and famous health resorts 
of the State abound in this vicinity. The Gey- 
sers, whifh rank witli the Vosemitc in grandeur 
of seenery, only sixteen miles distant, i.- oiiu of 



nature's greatest wonders, and attracts thousands 
of people yearly to witness these seemingly 
demoniacal demonstrations. His Satanic maj- 
esty seems to be near the surface in that section. 
The eternal fire tliat is produced by chemical 
action, and the water from the mountain stream, 
causes steam to emit from the crevices of the 
rocks, and as the creek continues in its course 
the water boils and bubbles furiously, and great 
clouds of steam are continually arising. 

Hood's Warm Springs, some ten miles north- 
west of Cloverdale, is one of the finest camping 
grounds in this section of the State, and hun- 
dreds of people steal away from the cares of 
business and the humdrum of city life to spend 
a few weeks or months among the pleasant 
scenes that surround the springs. A number of 
bath houses have been erected for the accom- 
modation of those who wish to enjoy the medi- 
cinal properties of the waters. The neighboring 
mountains, valleys and streams are a paradise for 
both hunters and anglers, as deer, rabbits, grouse, 
quail and brook trout are plentiful, and an oc- 
casional opportunity is offered to hunters to try 
their nerves and skill on a bear or jianther. 
Lovers of honey will be pleased to learn that 
these mountains abound in bee trees, and in one 
canon of only two miles in length a person can 
count over two hundred of these trees, each 
occupied b}' a colony of bees. 

Oak Mountain, the home of Madame Preston 
and her religious followers, is located on the 
sidehill about two miles from Cloverdale. A 
prettier site cannot be found in Califortiia. The 
prominence of the location commands a view 
down the valley that is indeed impressive. The 
result of man's labor is seen throughout tlie 
length and breadth of the fertile valley. Gnly 
•a few years ago, comparatively speaking, you 
could have stood on the same prominence and, 
looking upon the valley, all that could have been 
seen to break the monotony of scenery was a 
continuous sheep and cattle range, ^'ow, how 
changed, the view presents an extensive chess- 
board laid out in blocks of orchards, vineyards 
and fields of green alfalfa. But the king of the 



JflSTOIiY OF /SONOMA VOUNTY. 



valley is luaking cuiispicous moves, and ere 
long it will checkmate all of its contemporaries 
for ])restige, antl drive them oft" the board. 
Wine is kinif, and his kingdom will grow and 
become more popular every year. Madame 
Preston has devoted her life to the sufl"erings of 
poor humanity. AVhether rich or poor, and of 
whatever nationality, when in sickness and pros- 
tration, a panacea for the ills that our mortal 
body is heir to, as well as kind and gentle assist- 
ance can always be found on Oak Mountain. 
A church lias been established, and a large and 
attractive building erected, which is called the 
Covenant Meeting House. A tower clock in 
the dome rings out the hours, and foretells the 
cheerfulness and contentment of the people' that 
live there. The home of the Madame is a most 
inviting one. Dr. Henry Hubbard, Frederick 
Rindge and Mr. Clark also have handsome resi- 
dences on Oak Mountain. Extensive vineyards 
and prune orchards are to be found in these 
foothills, which are very productive under the 
management of Colonel Preston. 

Near Oak Mountain is the boarding house of 
C. Worth. Mr. Worth has the largest tig and 
almond orchard in the district. The tigs, when 
well dried, command a good price and are very 
marketalile. 

There are a number of tine ranches in Oak 
Valley, and to mention one is to mention them 
all, and when we say that J. G. Heald, John 
Cooley, William Sink and D. Wambold have as 
well improved places as you see anywhere, it re- 
mains for you to more tlioroughly convince 
yourself by a personal visit. 

Of the suburban places, Conrad Ilaehl has a 
winery and well cultivated and profitable vine- 
yard. The winery is built on a slight rise of 
ground and commands a view of the surrounding 
valley. The dwelling house faces the town and 
is surrounded by a good variety of fruit trees. 

William Calilwell, residing south of town, is 
surrounded by a ranch that compares favorably 
in improvements to any in the county. His 
extensive vineyard, reaching across the valley, 
and tlie large orchard of excellent fruits near the 



dwelling-house, are all in the highest state of 
cultivation. 

McElarney and Smith have the finest strip of 
land in this section reaching from the foothills 
to West street in the town. The vineyard is 
located on the best of foothill land, and is just 
coming into bearing. The dwelling-house and 
improvements are situated in a sheltered nook 
of the hills, and is a delightful jjlace to live. 

Prescott's Grove, adjoining the town limits, 
is a very picturesqne and delightful retreat. A 
moi'e natural park is hard to find in close prox- 
imity to a town, and its cooling shade during the 
warm summer days extends a pressing invita- 
tion to the weary mortal to pass a few pleasant 
hours under the protecting foliage of its grand 
old oaks and laurel trees. It is the scene of 
many a pleasant picnic party and is the pride 
of our townspeople. 

SONOMA TOWNSHIP. 

Sonoma Township in the southeastern part of 
theconnty, is bounded by Napa County on the east 
and south, Vallejo Township on the west and 
Santa Rosa on the northwest. The principal \o\\ n 
is Sonoma, in the south, near which is San Lnis 
or the Eml)arcadero. In the northern part. Glen 
Ellen is rapidly becoming an important center. 
This section is the pioneer wine-producing re- 
gion of the State, and is better known on ac- 
count of this fact than most other portions. 
Its history in connection with the early settle- 
ment of the State has also brought it into 
notice. The township includes 66,695 acres, 
assessed at $977,225, or !j;14r| per acre. The 
total assessed value is i?2, 124,225. Its popula- 
tion according to the last census was 2,153, 
which has considerably increased since then. 
The whole township may be said to be in a high 
state of cultivation. 

There were some notable exceptions to the 
Mexican system of hides, horns and tallow 
farming; among them was General M. G. Val- 
lejo, so often quoted in this history. General 
Vallejo was not a man to rest satisfied with so 
crude a system. He was far above the average 



JtlSTOBT OF SONOMA GOtTNTT. 



of his conntryinen in native ability, wliich had 
been improved by intercourse with all the promi- 
nent men who liad visited California from the 
various parts of the world. He cultivated on 
his large Petaluina and Sonoma ranches all the 
staple crops, fruits and vines. Sir George 
Simpson gives a very interesting account of the 
General's farming operations in 1841. lie says 
that "a water-spout that year had burst in the 
valley, sweeping away the newly-sown grain 
from several large fields of wheat. These fields 
had been highly prized by General Vallejo, as 
the grain had been purchased from Columbia 
River, and was superior in quality to his own. 
As the surface of the plain presents so few ob- 
stacles to cultivation, the same land is never 
cropped for more than two successive years; and 
as the General's farm consists of many hundreds 
of acres, he annually breaks up about 300 
acres of what may be called wild lands, either 
fresh from the hand of nature, or refreshed by 
rest." General Vallejo had also a fine fruit 
orchard, had revived the Mission vineyard, ex- 
tended its area, and was a manufacturer of both 
wine and brandy. Commodore Wilkes, in 1842, 
was in San Francisco with his fleet, and being 
in want of supplies, dispatched an officer with 
a note to General Vallejo. He says the Gen- 
eral treated the officer with great politeness, 
and returned for answer that he could supply 
us with Lima beans, wheat, potatoes and 
other vegetables which we had been unable to 
obtain. 

The beautiful Sonoma Valley is one of the 
richest and most productive districts of the 
State. Jjeing within a short distance from San 
Francisco, and having superior transportation 
facilities, it is above all comparison with other 
valleys in the State. The climate is mild, equa- 
ble and delightful. F"'ogs and harsh winds are 
shut out by the mountain barriers and high hills 
on the east and west. Nature seems to smile on 
this gem of (California valleys, and has endowed 
it with all the gifts within her disposal. Here 
the orange tree, heavily laden with its golden 
fruit and decked with bridal blossoms, nods 



lazily in the balmy air. The olive — the em- 
blem of peace, the sacred tree of the ancients — 
takes firm root in this soil and bears most pro- 
lifically. The sloping hills are mantled with 
the foliage of the vine, the fruitage of which 
yields a rich harvest of wine. 

The vine-clad hills and citron groves of 
Southern Europe find their exact counterpart in 
the valley of Sonoma. The soil is of volcanic 
formation, impregnated with iron, magnesia and 
other minerals, which give flavor, color and 
strength to the wine. The soil is similar to 
that of F'rance, Spain and the Rheinish grape- 
growing provinces. In the growth of the wal- 
nut, almond, peach, pear, prune and apricot this 
valley cannot be excelled. 

The display at the mechanics' fair made by 
the Sonoma Valley for the year 1887, was mag- 
nificent, fi'om the diversity of productions pre- 
sented. Of grapes, over 300 varieties were 
shown. There were five pyramids of wine in 
bottles — Clarets, Burgundies, Rieslings, Gute- 
dels and Hocks, with Brandies. 

Dried and preserved fruits occupied an im- 
portant place. The exhibit of natural silk 
worms in all stages, from the larva- to the eggs, 
excited much interest. Olive oil and pickled 
olives were shown. Every variety of pickles, 
cucumbers, melons, English marrows, corn 
(some of it fourteen feet high, with four ears 
on each stalk), Japanese persimmons, English 
hawthorne, Scotch rowan tree, tomatoes, pep- 
pers, gigantic sunflowers, plants, wild flowers, 
ferns, grasses, mosses, cereals in sheaves, sacks 
and bottles, Indian chutney, building stones, 
chalk, cork, oak, cotton, wool, bamboo, cheese, 
butter, milk, leather, charcoal, coal, hops, argols, 
150 specimens of native rocks, mineral waters, 
natural fire and petrified woods, Rhus tox, and 
fourteen samples of earth and vine cutting were 
exhibited. 

It can be truthfully said that a more com- 
plete or magnificent exhibit of the resources of 
a district was never made in California than that 
of Sonoma Valley. The fact was established 
that Sonoma Valley in its climate, fei-tility of 



Rr STORY OF SONOMA COUNT r. 



soil, and proiiuctions has no superior, and few, 
if any, equals. 

S()XO>irA CiTv — Tiie main Ijusiiiess of tlic 
town is done on tlie bloclvs surrounding the 
historical plaza, and many of the old adobes re- 
main, some in ruins but mostly in excellent 
preservation. There are a number of e.xcellent 
two-story Iniildings of stone or brick including 
the Union Hotel, Poppa's Hall and others. An 
octagon one-story building used as a city hall, 
occupies the center of the plaza, and on a strip 
on the northern side the railroad depot is built, 
but the larger part is laid out in grass with 
trees, walks and a good fence. This square 
with its evergreens, grass plots, broad gravel, 
walks, famous flag pole, framed by two-story 
adobe buildings and modern masonry, alternat- 
ing between Mexican and American architect- 
ure, with its back-ground of everlasting hills, 
makes a picture worth looking at. The water 
supply of the town comes from a small cement 
reservoir fed by the famous spring Lachryma 
Montis, which bursts from the hills immediately 
behind General Valleju's house. The city vote 
of Sonoma at the last election was 125. Neither 
the city. nor the school district are in debt. 
The State and county taxation within the city 
limits, taxpayers being relieved from taxation 
for the district road fund, is !t;1.10, and the mu- 
nicipal tax is thirty-five cents on the .^100 of 
assessed values. Tiie ijoi'soual ])roperty in the 
muiuci])ality is valued by the assessor at -^1*2,- 
r)49, and the real estate and improvements at 
$266,805 or a total of $359,454:. The total 
revenue of last year was $2,500. 

Temple huhje, No. /}, /''. d- A. J/.— This 
lodge was organized on April '.', iNol, with the 
following charter members: J. Hendley, George 
H. Derby, James K. Long, M. Pelty, Jesse 
Davidson, William P>urris, P. Hicklin, Stephen 
Acres, Jason Smith, E. I'eabody and George 
Stevenson. 

Sonoma Lodtje, iVo. ,.'S, I. <>. (). /''. This 
lodge was instituted July 1, 1854, with J. .\. 
Brewster, P. G. ; F. Rohrer, P. (i.; W. Ayers. 
S. C. Ilayden and ('alvin Ifohrcr as charter 



members. The inaugural ceremonies were pre- 
sided over by Edward B. Eaton, D. D. G. M. of 
Napa district, and the following ofKcers elected: 
J. A. Brewster, N. G.; Fred. Ptohrer, V. G.; 
Martin, Secretary; G. W. Miller, Treasurer. 

Soiionia Valley Bank. — This institution was 
incorporated in June, 1875, with a paid-up cap- 
ital of $53,100, and commenced business on 
July 12, 1875. 

Newspapers. — The first printing done in 
Sonoma County were two small pamphlets in 
the Spanish language, published in 1838 by the 
Government press in Sonoma. One of them 
contained a list of remedies for the common 
complaints which all flesh is heir to, even in 
this favored clime; the other is a series of I'e- 
ports made by General Yallejo to the Governor 
of Alta California. 

The Sonoma Bulletin. — This was the first 
periodical published in Sonoma County, its 
initial number being issued June 12, 1852, by 
A. J. Cox, who had been a resident of the town 
of Sonoma since 1847, having been a member 
of a company of Stevenson's regiment, which 
was stationed there. Mr. Thompson says: It 
was a very lively sheet for several years, and 
would have done credit to a much later period 
in the history of the State. Contributions 
from the inimitable Derby, and other army 
officers stationed at Sonoma, were not infre(juent 
in its columns. The paper was continued at 
intervals up to 1855, when the editor, in a 
characteristic notice in the Petaluma Journal 
of September 15, 1855, announces its final de- 
mise as follows: "Hon. (}. Smikes wishes to 
return his thanks to the editorial fraternity for 
the kind notices of his debut, and to the public 
generally (the rest of mankind included) for their 
liberal patronage, and to aimounce that the 
Blunderbuss has dried up." 

The Sonoma Lnded'-Trihune has run the 
gauntlet of several proprietors, and H. H. 
(tranice is now at the helm. He makes of his 
journal a representative local paper. 

Hakrv H. Graxice. — The subject of this 
sketch is the able and enterprising owner and 



383 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNT)'. 



editor of the Sonoma Inch.'- -Tribune, the only 
newspaper publislied in Sonoma Valley. This 
paper was first established in 1879 as the Index, 
edited by Benjamin Frank. It seemed to have 
had a rather precarious existence, changing 
hands nearly a dozen times until 1884, when 
Mr. Granice purchased it. Immediately upon 
his assuming the editorial chair he changed the 
name to the Index-Trihune, and determined to 
make a paper worthy of the support of the peo- 
ple of the valley. In this he has been eminently 
successful. Ilis paper is issued each Saturday, 
and is a live, newsy and readable paper, devoted 
to the general interests of Sonoma Yalley and 
County. Mr. Granice has also one of the most 
complete job printing offices in Sonoma County. 
He is a practical printer, fully conversant with 
all the details of his calling, and to this must be 
attributed much of his success. Mr. Granice is 
also a member of the firm of Kasclien & Gran- 
ice, real estate dealers of Sonoma. As an intel- 
ligent, energetic citizen, whose interests are 
closely identified with Sonoma County, a brief 
sketch of his life is of interest in a work of this 
character. He is a native of New- York, and 
dates his birth December 3, 1849. When five 
years of age he accompanied his widowed mother 
to California. She took up her residence in 
San Francisco, and afterward in Sacramento, 
where, in 1861, she married E. J. Steele. Their 
home was then established in Auburn, Placer 
County, where Mr. Granice first engaged in his 
present calling as a printer. He worked at this 
until eighteen years of age, and then spent a 
year in the Pacific Business College of San 
Francisco. After graduating from this college 
he located in Merced, Merced County, where he 
established the Merced People, a newspaper 
which he conducted for some months. This 
paper he sold to Mr. Steele, who consolidated it 
with the San Joaquin Valley Argus. Mr. 
Granice then entered the employ of Mr. Steele, 
remaining with him until 1874, in which year 
he went to San Francisco and followed his pro- 
fession as a journeyman printer until 1884, 
eight years of the time being in the employ of 



the San Francisco Bulletin. In l!S84 he located 
in Sonoma and purchased the Index, as before 
stated. Although the Index-Trihune is inde- 
pendent and fearless in politics, Mr. Granice, 
personally, is a Republican. He is a member 
of Sonoma Lodge, No. 28, I. O. O. F. ; also of 
the Clay Literary Society of Sonoma, in which 
he takes a deep interest. Mr. Granice is a 
strong believer in the future prosperity of 
Sonoma Yalley, and is always ready to support 
any enterprise tending to develop its resources. 
In 1879 he was united in marriage with Miss 
Katie Keogh, daughter of Kichard J. and Kate 
Keogh, residents of Stanislaus County. From 
this marriage two children have been born — 
Cecilia and Julie. 

Los GuiLicos is situated in Sonoma Yalley, 
being eighty miles distance from Santa Rosa. It 
is partly encircled by a high and imposing 
mountain known as " Hood's Mountain," which 
has done good service to the traveler in the 
early days as a land mark. It is at the very 
base of its peak, which rises to an altitude of 
3,000 feet or more, tliat the home proper is 
located, and this together with many beautiful 
features which we will endeavor to describe 
lends enchantment to a tout-ensemble which go 
to make Los Guilicos Ranch one of the prettiest 
spots in California. 

Elvekano is a new'ly laid out town on tiie 
line of the Santa Rosa & Carquinez Railroad, 
about two miles north of Sonoma, and near the 
Calienta Springs. Its future is undetermined. 
Glen Ellen is a little paradise of resort at 
the north end of Sonoma Yalley. It was laid 
out about five years ago, and has good accom- 
modations for tourists. 

ANALY TOWNSHIP. 
Analy Township contains 57,681 acres at an 
assessed value of §1,222,340, an average of !r;21 
an acre; the assessed value of all the property 
is $1,779,412. According to the census of 
1880, this township contained 1,851 souls. At 
the present time its population will not fall 
short of 2,500. It is bomuled on tlie north by 



HTSTonT OF SONOMA VOUNTT. 



Kussiaii River, Mendocino and liedwood town- 
ships, east by Santa Rosa and ^''allejo town- 
sliips, sonthwest by Marin Count}' and west by 
Bodega and Redwood townsliips. It inclndes 
the towns of Sebastopol, IMoomfield and Korest- 
ville. Its name is said to be given by Jasper 
O'F'arrell, in lionor of his sister. Its soil is 
mainly a sandy loam, and its products are fruits, 
vegetables, cereals, wine, wood, hops and dairy 
products. During the past few years tlie area 
in fruits and vines has been increased at least 
twenty-five per cent. The real valne of the 
land for orchards and vineyards seems not to 
have been ajipreciated until now; and lands 
have advanced in price fully 200 per cent, 
during the past five years. Cosy, comfortable 
and ])ermanent homes are characteristic of its 
residents, and it rivals in this respect all other 
portions of the county. The improvements now 
under way and contemplated will make tiiis 
section boom during the coming years. 

There is no doubt but that to Joaquin Car- 
rillo belongs the honor of being the first settler 
in Analy Township. lie located and a]iplied 
for a grant to the " Llano de Santa Rosa "' rancho 
as early as 184-4. In 1846 he built an adobe 
house on the western end of the rancho, within 
the present limits of the township, and near the 
present site of the town of Sebastopol. This 
was doubtless the first house ever iaiilt in the 
township. The remains of it are still standing. 
The tidal wave of American enjigration did not 
seem to strike this township until 1850. During 
that year quite a number of families settled in 
the nortliern end of it in what is now known as 
Green Valley. Among those wiio settled there 
during that year may be mentioned J. ]\I. Hud- 
speth, P. McChristian, and Judge Josiaii Morin. 
Farther south, in the neighborhood of the pres- 
ent site of Sebastopol, Otis Allen, James De- 
laney, M. Gillian, James M. Miller, John 
Walker, and Orlamlo Sowers settled also in 
1850, while AN". D. Canfield was the only settler 
in that year in what is known as IJIucher Valley. 
It was not until the next year that any one 
made any permanent settlement in liig Valley, 



in the extreme soutli end of the township, 'i'he 
very Urst man to pitch his tent upon a claim in 
that valley was William Abels. He was a man 
of family, and he and his estimable wife are 
still in the enjoyment of fine health, and are 
residents of Santa Clara County. Their chil- 
dren and grandchildren are living in different 
parts of the State, and point to the fact of first 
settlement in this section l>y their hardy ances- 
tors with a just degree of ]iride. During the 
same year Elliot Coffer, Henry Hall, "William 
Nutting, Robert Railey, (Jeorge Woodson, G. 
W. Wolf, Edward V. flinrber,''Mr. Larlcin, W. 
P. Henshaw, L. D. Cockrill, Jacob McReynolds. 
Mr. Turtelot and Mr. McAllen came into this 
valley and settled. Nearly if not quite all of 
these men were unmarried, however, and did 
not prove to be permanent settlers. There set- 
tled in Blncher Valley during 1851, Martin 
Reed, Dr. W. G. Lee, John White, Samuel 
Powers, Thomas Miller, Gideon Miller, John 
Rice, George Campbell, and W. Easeley. AVe 
are unable to discover the names of any who 
settled in the vicinity of Sebastopol that year, 
but in Green Valley we find that James Greg- 
son, John Marshall, Henry Marshall, Major 
Isaac Sullivan, and Mitchell Gilliam became 
permanent settlers during 1851. Some time 
during this year Major Sullivan and Miss Polly 
Gilliam linked their destinies together in the 
silken bonds of marriaoe. This was proliably 
the pioneer marriage in the townshij), an<l a 
right royal jolly time was had at the wedding. 
In 1852 A. Stark, Robert Gordon, William 
Jones, AV^illiain II. AVhite, and a great many 
others came into Pig A^illey; in fact, all the 
land was taken up during that year. During 
that year A. T. Davidson, S. J. Smith, and D. 
AVoodworth settled near Sebastopol. During 
this and the next year or two the settlement of 
the township was very rapid. The settlers of 
those early days were very migratory in their 
habits, and but few of them remained more than 
a year or two. The title to the land was not 
very good, and many of them were merely 
sipiattcrs; so that when ordered otl' tlicy Iia<l t<> 



284 



ni STORY OF sokoma countt. 



g(i. In liliicher N'alley tlie only original bct- 
tlcr there now is W. I). Canfield. In 1852 a 
postottice was etstablislied at i\[iller & Walker's 
store, tlien located about one mile south of 
where Sebastopol now stands. The commission 
was issued February 20th, and James M. Miller 
was tlie postmaster. The name of the office was 
Bodega, and it supplied all the section of the 
county lying west and northwest as far as the 
(xualala Kiver. 

P)i.ooMFiKi-ii. — ]>loomtield is situated at the 
head of Big Valley, or the Valley of the Estero 
Americano, on the Rancho Canada de Pogo- 
lome, and was named in honor of the owner of 
that grant, F. (i. Blume. The first house was 
built in the town by AVm. Zellhardt. in 1853. 
He soon afterward built a blacksmith shop. L. 
D. Cockrill built the next house here, also in 
1853. In 1854: a man by the name of Horace 
Lamb opened a store, using a part of Mr. Cock- 
rilTs house for tlie purpose. During the year, 
however, he erected a building of his own and 
occupied it. Two years later, July 12, 185(5, 
a postoffice was established at this point, with 
Horace J^aml) as postmaster. During thisycar 
also the town was laid out, ('. and J. Iloag own- 
ing the western jiart of the site and Isaac Kutfel 
the eastern portion. From this time on the 
town rlourished as well as could be expected 
under the circumstances. It was an inlaml 
trading point, with no direct communication 
with San Francisco for a number of years. 
Stores, liotels,black8mith shops, churches,schools, 
etc., were established. The cemetery, which is 
situated to the westward of the town, and on an 
eminence commaniling a beautiful view of the 
town and adjacent country, was laid out in 181)0. 
The iirst person buried in it was Nfrs. StejJien 
C'. Fowler, daughter of L. D. Cockrill. 

Valleii Ford Lodc/e, I. <). O. /'.—Valley 
Ford Lodge, No. I'Jl, I. (). (). F., was organized 
September 7, 18l)'J, at N'alley Ford; hence the 
name. Its charter menibLMv wei-e William Ham- 
ilton. A. S. Perrine, .\. C. AVn.ul. S. X. llu<lson, 
Edward Hare and William Withrow. The first 
officers were: William Hamilton, N. (t.; Will- 



iam Withrow, \. G.; S. N. Hudson. Secretary, 
and Edward Hare, Treasurer. 

Bloomfield Fni'aiiijitnent. — Bloomfield En- 
campment, No. 61, I. O. O. F., was organized 
January 10, 1877, with the following charter 
members: H. C. (inwder, B. F. llicklennm. 
Bruce T. Cockrill, S. 11. Manzy. Valentine Wil- 
son. O. M. LeFebvre, A. II. Knapp. (J . W. Knap]i 
and Chas. Iloag. 

Vitrui'ious Lodye, J'\ d- A. M. — Vitruvious 
Lodge, No. 145, F. it A. M., was instituted 
under dispensation May 31, 1860. The charter 
members were as follows: T. G. Cockrill, R. 
Dickens, J. M. Hinman,S. IIonigsberger,I. Kuf- 
fel. D. Markel, J. R. Iloss, J. W. Zuver. The 
officers U. D. were J. M. Hinraan, W. il.; I). 
Markel, S. W.; I. Kuifel, J. W.; and T. G. 
Cockrill, Secretary. The charter was granted 
June 7, 1861, and the first officers under charter 
were: D. Markel, W. M.; I. Kutiel, S. W.; C. 
R. Arthur, J. W. ; R. Dickens. Treasurer, and 
T. G. Cockrill, Secretary. 

Bloomtreld Lodye, I . <>. G. T. — Bloomfield 
Lodae, No. 250, I. O. G. T., was organized Aujj- 
ust 19, 1878. Following is the list of charter 
members: W. 11. Ilaskins. James Iloag, C. C. 
F'arnsworth, D. L. Knapp, Ada Haskins, Louis 
McKeynolds, Albert Crose, Horace Lamb, Ed- 
w-ard McIJeynolds, Lizzie Gregory, Ida M. Has- 
kins, Chas. McReynolds, Carrol Jones, John 
McAllister, Emil I'-aker, A. E. Kellogg, W. W. 
Parks, Sarah Stone, Ernestine Walker, Anna 
Crose, E. M. Sharon, Maggie Sharon, Clara 
Farnsworth, Mary Jones, Alice Pharis, Clarence 
AVilson, Frank Lamb, ThoTiias (^regory, F. L. 
McReynolds. 

Blwnnlidd ScliiioL- The first school in this 
section was taught in what was known as the 
Big Valley school ilistrict. The school-house 
was situated about one mile east of the present 
site of Pdoomfield. The first school ever taught 
in the town was under the charge of James Har- 
low, and was inthe Methodist Episcopal church 
building. The present large and commodious 
building was erected in 1806. It is two stories 
high, and is amply large for all the requirements 



n I STOUT OF hoi^oMa uountt. 



285 



of the town. Tliere are two teacliers employed, 
and, of course, two grades in the school. 
There is a good lihrary of over 200 volumes 
attached to the school. Among those who have 
taught there in days gone hy may be mentioned: 
A. II. Hall, James lladclifttN T. II. Hopkins. A. 
II. Pratt, J. JI. AVilmer, T. C. Powers. E. D. 
Roberts, and others. 

Churches. — A gentleman known as Father 
Walker organized the Methodist Episcopal 
church at this place in 1857. lie was the 
pioneer minister of this county. 

SEiiAsToroL. — This is a beautiful little hamlet 
lying near the foothills, on the west side of the 
Santa Rosa Valley. As has been stated above, 
to Joaquin Carrillo belongs the honor of being 
the first settler in this section of the township, 
coming here as early as 1846. It seems that 
James M. Miller and John Walker followed 
him, coining as early as 1850. They erected 
a building and opened a store about one mile 
south of the site of the present tnwn. In this 
store was a postoflice, and it seemed that if a 
town ever sprang up in that section it would lie 
near it. Rut in 1855, J. II. P. Morris, a man 
of enterprise and energ3% entered a ti-act of 
(Tovernment land, consisting of 120 acres, north 
of the store site. Mr. Morris came to Sonoma 
in 1853, and was in Ijusiness for a while at the 
Miller A: Walker store. After locating his claim 
upon this tract of land, lie moved a building, 
which he procured of Miller »t Walker, to his 
claim, in which he opened out a grocery store 
and saloon combined. That sameyear he deeded 
to John Dougherty a h)t, upon the conditions 
that he should put a store iipcjn it. Tiiis was 
complied with. iMr. Morris called the embry- 
otic town Pine Grove, a very appropriate luime 
indeed, as it is surrounded by a perfect nursery 
of young pine trees. We are informed by Mr. 
R. A. Thompson that its present formidable 
name of Sebastopol originated in this way: A 
man named Jeft" Stevens and a man named 
Ilibbs had a fight; Ilibbs made a quick retreat 
to Dougherty's store, witii Stevens in hot pur- 
suit. Dougherty stoj)ped Stevens, and f.irbade 



him to come upon his premises. The (Jrimean 
war was raging at that time, and the allies 
were besieging Sebastopol, which it was thought 
they would not be able to capture. The Pine 
Grove boys, who were always keen to see a 
fight — chagrined at the result — cried out 
that Dougherty's store was Hibbs' Sebastopol, 
and from this incident the town eventually 
took its name. As stated above, Dougherty 
opened the second business place in the 
town. George II. Jacobs began the business 
of blacksmithing and wagon-making next. 
Marion Howe was his wagon-maker. Captain 
Auser then erected a hotel building on the 
present site of the Wilson Exchange. Other 
business and dwelling-places followed in rapid 
succession, until the town has now probably 
300 inhabitants. It has a daily stage connect- 
ing with the railroad at Santa Rosa, which car- 
ries both the United States and Wells, Fargo ^ 
Co.'s mail. 

Lafaijette Lo(hjt!, F. A A. M. — Lafayette 
Lodge, No. 120, F A: A. M., was organized 
under dispensation January 8, 1858. At the 
time of its organization and until August 25, 
1860, the lodge convened at a place known as 
Pleasant Ilill, some two and one-half miles south 
of Sebastopol. Since the last named date its com- 
munications have been held in Sebastopol, where 
they have a very nice lodge-room over the Pres- 
byterian church. The charter members were 
Wm. G. Lee, Jacob I'Outs, Losson Ross, Renj. 
S. Burns, Wm. Henry, John Ryan, R. Dick- 
ens, Andrew Fife, Wm. Ely, J. 11. P. Morris 
and Wm. L. Taber. The charter was granted 
May 13, 1S58. The first officers were: Wm. 
(t. Lee, W. M.; Jacob I'outs, S. W. ; Losson 
Ross, J. W.; Wm. Henry. Treasurer, and R. 
Dickens, Secretary. 

Evenjreen Lodge, I . <>. (>. F. Evergreen 
Lodge, No. 161, I. O. O. F.. was instituted 
July 12, 1861), with the following charter mem- 
bers: I>. I>. Berry, W. 1*. Berry, Wm. Wilson, 
John K. Smith, M. Edwards, Mathew A. Will- 
iams, and James Rurnett. The first officers 
were W. P. P.erry. N. G.; Wm. Wilson, V. G. 



2S6 



itisronr of sonoMa county. 



M. Edwards, Treasiirt-r; and 15. JJ. lit-rry, 
Secretary. 

Sehastopol lieheccn Detjree Loihje. — This 
lodsje. No. 44, was organized June 20, 1878. 
Tlie cliarter members were as follows: B. B. 
I'.errv, G. H. Stowell, Clias. Solomon, S. B. 
Berrv, W. F. Elliott, M. Y. Morin. M. H. 
Chenoworth. J. IT. lierry, A. Crawford, V. 
Piezzi, T. G. Wilton, J. M. Dockham, D. See- 
ley, and J. S. Jones, Mesdames Elizabeth Ber- 
ry, E. A. Stowell, Sarah A. Solomon, L. J. 
l;ei-ry, Jane M. Elliott, M. Donner, Emma G. 
Wilson, Minerva A. Berry, Mary L. Crawford, 
Luella Piezzi and Ilarmonia Jones. The first 
officers were T. G. Wilton. N. G.; Jane M. 
Elliott, V. G.-, Mary L. Crawford, Treasurer, 
and B. B. Berry, Secretary. 

Cumherland Presbyterian Church. — The Se- 
hastopol Cumberland Presbyterian chnrch ^yas 
organized October 2, 1851. It was knoM-n nntil 
Septeml)er, 1870, liy the name of the Bodega 
Cumherland Presbyterian church, at which time 
the name was changed to Sehastopol. The 
orcranizino- me nbers were Rev. J. M. Cameron, 
Mrs. Mary Cameron, C. Kavanagh, William M. 
Reed, L. Clyman, Mrs. Harriett Morin, Mrs. 
Nancy Hudspeth, J. C. Thompson and J. M. 
Reed. 

Sehastopol Lnhj,, I. O. C T.— This lodge. 
No. 167, was organized January 21, 1S79. The 
following names appear upon the charter: J. 
II. P. Morris. Fannie AVadsworth, Emma Berry, 
Mary llulbcrt, Ira ^Sfanville, C. S. Berry, Lizzie 
Ik'rrv, W. T. Cromwell, Rebecca Cromwell, 
Hannah Thompson, Lou Berry, R. Ewing, C. 
i'xmham, H. Ilulbert, Cico. S. Uriggs, B. B. 
Derry, Elizabeth Berry, Julia Ilulbert, Grace 
Wadsworth, L. B. Bonham, J. T. Bonham, Jas. 
r.. Bonham, II. M. Grayson, H. P. Ilulbert, 
Mary B. Ilulbert, Wm. Marshal, D. M. Kelly, 
Bertha Grey land, George L. Allen, Thomas 
Hale, Hattie Ross, Emma Lee, Alice Crawford, 
Emma Ilensley, and Clara Hensley. 

FoKKKSTViLLK. — This is a little village situated 
near the extreme north end of this township, in 
what i> known as (4j-eon Vallov. It is on the 



border of tlie redwood belt, and its inhabitants 
are mostly wood-choppers and lumbermen. Tiie 
Guerneville branch of the North Pacific Rail- 
road passes near by affording ready communi- 
cation with San Francisco. It is said that the 
town derived its name from its founder, and first 
settler, A. J. Forrester. There is a good public 
school in the town, a Methodist Episcopal 
church, and an Advent church near l>y. The 
business interests are represented by one general 
store, one blacksmith shop, one saloon, one hotel, 
one meat market, etc. etc. The rustic-chair 
factory is located here. Forestville is now 
developing into a great fruit-growing center; 
grapes and olives being a specialty. 

Taken as a whole, Analy is one of the most 
productive townships in the county. Extending 
as it does from the Santa Rosa Valley to a point 
within a few miles of the sea-shore, it presents 
a diversity of soil and climate seldom com- 
passed in the boundaries of a township. At a 
very early day it became one of the most pop- 
ulous districts in the county. There are now 
some very consequential counties in the State 
that have not been as productive of real wealth 
as has the single township of Analy. The 
western portion for long years was mainly de- 
voted to potato and grain raising, and the land 
paid for itself over and over again. Of late 
years the land has l)een largely used for dairy- 
ing and stock-raising. This is a good paying 
industry. But even yet the people of that 
region do not seem to have a full appreciation 
of the real worth of that country. The day 
will come when all that region from Two Rock 
Valley northward will be cut up into small 
holdings; and apple and berry orchards will be 
common where now are stock ranges. The east- 
erly end of Analy Township is already famous 
for its fruit orchards. 

BODEGA TOWNSHIP- 

In early times no portion of our State gained 
a wider reputation than Bodega lor butter and 
potatoes. It contains 45,032 acres, assessed at 
Sf58n,120 or ^15'4 per acre. Total assessed value 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



of all property !?950,209. Its population in 
1880 was 1,385. It is located on the southwest 
coast line of the county, being bounded on the 
nortli by Ocean and Redwood townships, on 
the east by tlie Pacific Ocean. The Estero 
Americano is tlie dividing line between this 
tdwnsliip and Marin County. It includes tJie 
towns of Eodega Corners. Bodei^a Port, Free- 
stone, Occidental, Howards and A'alley Ford. 
Its products are varied and include potatoes- 
cereals and all kinds of vegetables, fruirs, dairy 
products, lumber of all kinds and wood. The 
North Paciiic Coast Railroad runs throngh the 
eastern portion of the township. The popula- 
tion of the township has increased, but at what 
ratio we are unable to ascertain. 

Elsewhere has been recorded the early occu- 
pation of the Bodega country by the Russians 
— also the settling of Captain Stephen Smith, 
and his enterprise. 

We will now take up the settlement of this 
township by tiie Americans, as distinguished 
from the Russians. The first settlers of this 
kind of which there are any records were: 
James Dawson, James Black, and Edward 
Manuel xMcIntosh. These three men came to 
California probably as early as 1830 with Cap- 
tain Juan B. R. Cooper, brother-in-law of Gen- 
eral M. G. Vallejo, as sailors on board of his 
vessel. Once here, and getting into the free 
and careless habits of the natives, tliey pre- 
ferred to remain on srlmre. We find that Daw- 
son and Melntd.^h a])|)lieil fi'ir citizenshij) undei- 
the Me.xican government as early as the year 
1833. (general N'allejo says tiiat upon assuming 
the position of commandant of the military of 
California in 1835, he was ordered to extend 
his settlements as far in tlu^ direction of l-"ort 
Ross as possible, and tn thus encroach upon the 
Russian territory and usurp their claims. For 
this purpose he chose the three hardy pioneers 
mentioned above, and ))roiiiised to give them 
each a large grant of land provided tiiey would 
go and settle right upon the border limits of the 
Russian claim. Tiie gentlemen consented as 
they were sure thi-y could li\e on aiuicalile 



terms with the Russians. Black settled upon 
what is now known as Canada de la Jonive 
Rancho, while Dawson and Mcintosh settleil 
upon the Estero Americano Rancho. 

Boi)K(;a Port. — This was a shipping place at- 
the head of the bay of that name. It was here 
that the first faint attempt at founding a town 
in this township occurred. As was stated above, 
the Russians had erected two buildings on this 
bay, but they were near to the mouth of the 
bay, and hard of access to those who came to 
the port from the interior, hence settlers natu- 
rally built their stone houses at a point the 
most accessible. Captain Smith owned a small 
schooner called the Faijuicai/, which plied reg- 
ularly between the port and San Francisco, in 
the early days. We do not know how long this 
was continued by him, or what became of the 
vessel. He used it principally in shipping his 
lumber to market. In the year 1850, two men 

named John Keyes and Xoble, put in a 

crop of potatoes. This was the first crop of the 
kind that had ever been grown in that section. 
They were merely squatters, not having leased 
the land of Captain Smith. They raised the 
crop on the headland known as Bodega Point. 
After the crop was niatured they had to get a 
vessel to take it to market. A small schooner 
of about fifteen tons burden was purchased and 
run by John Keyes. It was called the Sjifui/. 
Keyes continued to run this vessel until the 
spring of 1857. The fare on this .-ciiooner was 
!k8 to San Francisco and !j;15 for return. Some- 
time during this year (jne Ca])tain Tibbey began 
to run a schooner, which he called the j\/(irij, in 
this trade. This schooner was built in .\us- 
tralia. The principal exports I'rom the puii wi 
this time were lumber, shingles and potatoes. 
Cattle and sheep were sometimes shippeij, also. 

A schooner called the Sherlf, in 1853, Cap- 
tain Tibbey, master, went ashore near Cape 
Mendocino, and all on boai-il perished. In the 
fall of 1850, or spring of 1851, a hu-ge schooner 
called the Caroline, with a valuable cargo on 
board, bound for Trinidad, went ashore on the 
saiul-j)it which projcrls into lioili'ga Bay. The 



niSTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



vessel and cargo were lost, but the officers and 
sailors escaped. Captain Andrew Rutherford 
ran a propellor between tlie port and San Fran- 
cisco a few trips aliout 1858. but coiiiil not make 
it pay, and hence discontinued tlie trips. From 
1852 to 1860 there were several vessels plying 
in tiiis trade, there being often as many as six 
at one time making weekly trips to the city and 
return. The tirst man to rent land of Captain 
Smith was Edward Cheeney. lie leased 200 
acres from him during the winter of 18o0-'51, 
on tlie point. This land had Ijeen cultivated 
previously, tirst by the Russians, and during the 
jircvious season by Keyes and ^oble. The 
terms of this lease were tliat Cheeney was to pay 
$2 per acre for rent, payable when the crop was 
sold; Smith would allow live cents a I'ail for 
fencing the land. Smith sometimes rented land 
on shares, furnishing everything to the renter 
aiul taking half the crop. This was really tlie 
better way for him to rent his land, as the half 
of the crop would net from- §50 to SlOO per acre. 
If a liian were poor and appeared to be honest. 
Captain Smith would advance him the necessary 
amnnnt of money to put in his crop, without 
interest. It is said tiiat many of his renters 
took advantage of his liberal terms, and reward- 
ed his kindness by disposing of the crop and 
leaving the Captain's claims unsettled. This 
land in that early day was very productive. 
Mr. Cheeney raised si.xty bushels of wheat and 
100 bushels of oats to tlie acre, and one renter 
had an acre of potatoes whicli brought him .§500. 
February 20, 1851, Stephen L. and James E. 
Fowler, two brothers, and Messrs. Loper and 
Hedges arrived at Bodega. We liave at hand a 
diary which was kept by Stephen L. Fowler at 
that time. To it we are indebted for a number 
of facts contained in this sketch. 

Tlie four men mentioned above formed a com- 
pany, and styled themselves the " Suffolk Com- 
jiany,"' for the purpose of farming. They located 
about two and a half miles from the port, across 
a creek (from Captain Smith's house), and on a 
tract which would not need to be fenced. This 
was quite an object. This company planted 



quite an extensive crop this year, and the yield 
was very good both in quantity and price. The 
seed they used for their garden came from the 
colonies (.\ustralia). A box for which they 
paid §15, conlained si.x (juarts of peas, two of 
Vieans. four ounces of onion seed, live ounces of 
cabbage seed of different kinds, celery, raddish, 
broccoli, mustard, spinage, encumber, Iieets, 
carrots, capsicum, pepper-grass, lettuce, all in 
small parcels; also one-half pound each of three 
different kinds of turnip seeds. All these seeds 
were planted, and all throve well in the rich soil 
of that section. As high as eight cents a pound 
was paid liy them for seed j)otatoes that spring. 
It rained until very late into the season that 
year. They mowed wild oats ibr hay. This 
hay was easily cured, and served the purpose 
well. They raised quite a crop of barley. It 
was harvested and threshed in the month of 
July. The following description of the modus 
operandi of threshing the grain is copied from 
the diary mentioned aliove: " A corral is con- 
structed of poles driven in the gmund in a circle. 
Several cart-loads of barley are then drawn in 
and placed within the corral. I'orty or lilty 
horses are then turned into the corral, and driven 
around at a furious rate of speed. As soon as 
the grain is tramped out of the upper layer the 
straw is thrown out, and the process repeated 
until the bottom is reached. The grain is then 
I'einoved, and carefully cleaned by hand." 

During the year 1851 several new-comers put 
in an appearance, and the opening of the spring 
of 1852 saw the greater portion of the land near 
the port taken up by renters. Of these but 
few remain in that section now, and their names 
have passed into oblivion. In fact, no name 
but a nick-name was known for many of them. 
Of those mentioned above, Mr. Cheeney still 
resides near this [port, a genial old gentleman, 
with whom it is a pleasure to meet and talk of 
the early days. James E. Fowler is now a re- 
.tired merchant, living a life of leisure upon a 
handsome competence gained in this township. 
His beautiful home is located at Valley Ford. He, 
too, is a most estimable and pleasant gentleman. 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



289 



Tlie tirst warehouse at the ]X)rt, at the head 
of the bay, was built by Captain Smith, in 
1818. This ^\•as a small building, and was 
erected rather lor the ])ur|)Oses of a freight- 
house than a store-house. It was only ll).\20. 
Tlie ne.xt warehouse was built in ()ctul>cr, lS51, 
by the Suffolk Company. It was 24xlS, witii 
ten feet studdinir. This company also construct- 
ed a boat at this time in wliich to ferr}' their 
potatoes over the ei'eek mentioned above. This 
creek has its debouchure just north of the point 
where the landing was at the head of the bay. 
This boat was a sort of a lighter, 36x1(1 feet, 
and one foot deep. In 185'~J, Samuel Potter 
built a warehouse 30x60 feet in dimensions. 
During the same year Ste])heii Smith, a nephew 
of the captain, and Mr. Cheeney erected a ware- 
house -iOx25. This building is still stand- 
ing. The tirst store was built at this 
point in 1853, by Dunald JIcDonald. It 
was a small attair, with its foundation ex- 
tending into the bay, causing the whole build- 
ing to stand over water at high tide. It was 
reached by a platform extending from the main 
land. The building is still standing, but in a 
most dilapidated condition. In the same year 
or the next, Jasper O'Farrell built a warehouse 
50x100. In 1S58 James Stumpf erected a 
warehouse which was (>(lxSI); and iluring the 
same year Tyler Curtis constructed one which 
was 40x150. In 1852, Captain Smith erected 
tlie buildings for a hotel and bowling alley. In 
1860 Tyler Curtis erected the last building ever 
]iut up there. It was a warehouse, 30x80. 
After this the glory of liodega Port departed 
f(jrever. 

I'oDKOA (Jdii.Muts. — We will now pass from 
the ])ort of I'.odega to the town of the same 
name. This is situated near the site ol' the 
Smith Ranch House, ;iiid of course In; was the 
lirst settler in that section. It took its tirst 
start in 1858. A man by the name of George 
liobinson went up fi'om I'odega ])ort and opened 
a saloon at this point that year. It was a place 
where three roads met, hence the name of Cor- 
ners was applied to it. A man named Hughes 



soon followed, and built a blacksmith shop. He 
was soon joined by another named Bowman 
and the two built the first hotel in the place, 
which was afterward burned. Donald McDon- 
ald had a store at the port, which he moved t<j 
the new town ijuite early in its existence. The 
Rositer i^ros., also opened a store about the same 
time. The old settlers of that vicinity were: Jas. 
Watson, ex-Sheriff' Samuel Potter. M. Ilagler, 
J. L. Springer, Dr. \. K. Piggott, Thomas 
^lurray, James Stumpf and William II. Stewart. 

Bodega Corners, so-called, is virtually Smith's 
liancli, and the latter is the ])ostoliice name of 
the place. On the 20th of February, 1851, 
Stephen L. Fowler wrote as follows in his diary: 
"We walked from Bodega port to Captain Smith's, 
a distance of about five miles. He has a very 
pretty valley to live in. The most of the buildings 
were erected by the Ilussians. The old caj)tain 
is very hospitable. He has been here about 
eight years. He has quite a great deal of 
poultry, a number of hogs, and a great many 
cattle." He next gives us a glimpse at the 
domestic economy of the Smith household : 
" They have coffee about sunrise, at ten o'ckick, 
breakfast, and dinner at dark. This is a Span- 
ish custom."' He next pays a visit to the mill: 
" We walked to the Bodega steam saw-mill, 
where we were kindly treated. We took dinner, 
and they showed us through the mill. They put 
the saw in moti/jn, and explained what we did 
not understantl. There are a nund)er of Iniild- 
ings near the mill. The place is called' Mount 
Pleasant." I think it very ajipropriately named, 
as it is a very j)leasant place."" 

The above name of I\Iount Pleasant is prcjlia- 
bly the writer"s translation of thi' name " Buena 
Vista," which was applied to a high hill in the 
neighborhood of the Smith Ranch, and being u 
stranger he probably supposed it to ajiply to 
the entire immediate section. He remarks, 
further on: "Near Captain Smith "s there is a 
brook where salmon are caught during their 
season. AVe saw here a liussian dog, said to be 
forty years old. TheCai)tain"s nephew (Stephen 
Smithj has charge (jf the ranch. The Captain 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



is about to start a tannen*." On tlie 23(1 of 
June, 1S51, the contract for the woodwork on 
adobe house, Mhicli now stands tliere. was let to 
Stephen L. Fowler and one ot iiis partners. Mi-. 
X. M. Hedges. An e.Ktract from the diary of 
that date says: "To-day Hedges and myself 
(S. L. Fowler) rode to Captain Smith's, to make 
arrangements about doing some carpenter work. 
We contracted to do the work of an adobe 
house, 27.\70 feet. We have two floors to lay. 
ceil it overhead, partitions to run to make six 
rooms, twelve windows to ease, besides casing 
doors and hanging them, and putting in and trim- 
ming a front door, and ceiling under the piazza. 
We are to be boarded and receive ^450 for the 
job." AVhile at work on this contract and 
lioarding at the house he gives ns another 
crlimpse at the internal management of the do- 
mestic ati'airs of the family; also, a bill of fare 
tor one day: " We eat four meals a day. At 
sunrise we have a most excellent cup of coffee, 
with l)read and butter: at ten o'clock we have 
breakfast, which consists of coft'ee, soup, meat, 
vegetables, and bread; at one o'clock we have a 
lunch of roast beef, bread, etc., and at six o'clock 
we have dinner, which consists of about the 
same as the ])reakfast, except the coifee. We 
can have a cup of tea any time during the even- 
ing, and 1)randy and water when we wish. We 
do not eat with the family, as they have much 
company, and the table is generally full.'' (^)n 
the uth day of August, 1851, we find the fol- 
lowing entry: "We had a very good dinner 
to-day^ it being Mrs. Sniitli's liirthday. We 
had roast turkey and pig, with jilenty of veget- 
ables and a good pudding. To-night the ladies 
came into the building, and the children danced 
several Spanish dances to the music of a guitar. 
James (E. Fowler) declaimed, ' Richard tiie 
Third,' and, with singing, etc., we passed the 
evening very pleasantly. Tiiere were several 
bottles of wine sent in by the Captain and Mrs. 
Smith." Being sixteen at the time of her mar- 
riage in 1843; she was born August 5, 1827. 
Two days later, on the Tth, we find the follow- 
ing entry: "To-day the Captain lias given ns 



the dimensions of the two buildings he wants 
built for his tannery. One is twenty-four feet 
square, and ten feet studding; the other is 
24x50 feet, and two-stories high." For this 
contract they were to receive $450. We find 
that a man by the name of AVatson was the tan- 
ner; that he had a birthday, when the boys got 
a little jolly. T. B. Cary, long of Petalnma, 
and now a resident of Lake County, was Smith's 
head tanner for several years. It was doubtless 
in this tannery that the tirst real leather was 
made in Sonoma Comity by the American pro- 
cess of tanning. Of course the Russians tanned 
leather in their way, and probably made a good 
article,- too. After them, and using their appli- 
ances, came Major Ernest Rufus. Cyrus ^Vlex- 
ander, of Alexander Valley, is reputed to have 
tanned some leather in a crude way. It would 
therefore seem that to Captain Smith belongs 
the honor of establishing the first successful 
tannery in the county. This tannery afterward 
passed into the hands of James Stewart. After 
him came a man hy the name of Henry Lane. 
The building was destroyed by lire in 1808, 
after doing duty for seventeen years. 

Bodega Lodge, F. tt A. M. — Bodega Lodge, 
- No. 213, F. k, A. M., was organized December 
17, 1870. The following named gentlemen 
were charter members: William H. Manefee, 
A. S. Patterson, N. R. Shaw, L. S. (Toodman, 
A. S. Perrine, H. M. Barnhain, C. C. Roi)ert- 
son, G. N. Sanborn, I). Hakes, M. Kiernan, W. 
AV. (rilham, E. O. Stratton, AVilliam Hamilton, 
and W. M. Doran. The tirst officers were: AV. 
H. Manefee, AV. M.: A. S. Patterson, S. AV.; 
N. K. Shaw, J. AV.; L. S. Goodman, Treasurer, 
and G. IN. Sanborn, Secretary. 

J^o Surrender Lodge, /. O. (i. T. — This 
Lodge, No. 375, was organized November 1*, 
1875, and had the following names on its char- 
ter: C. N. Andrews, James II. Brown, John 
Cunningham, Theo. AA'^right, Tim Keegan, James 
Piggott, John Piggott, Alf. Sayton, Cordelia 
A. Brown and A'esta Nickols. The first otiicers 
were: C. N. Andrews," AA". C. T. : A'esta 
Nickols, W. V. T,; James H. JJrown, \V. S. ; 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Joliii Piggott, "W. F. S.; Cordelia A. Brown, 
W. T. 

Catholic Church. T\\e first mass was cele- 
brated in this place in March, 1860, by Kev. 
Father Kosse. This mass was celebrated in the 
school-house. In October, 18(30, the church 
building was erected, but was not dedicated un- 
til 18()2 or 1803. This is a very neat church 
building, and serves the purpose of the congre- 
gation admirably. The following pastors have 
olficiated here: Fathers Rosse, Onetta, Welch, 
Fagin, Slattery, Kelly, Cullen and Gushing. 

Freestone. — This charming little village is 
located near the eastern line of the township, 
and on the line of the North Pacific Coast 
Railroad, and near the corner of three ranchos, 
viz.: Jonive, Pogolome and Estero Americano. 
Tlte early history of these ranches has already 
been given, but a few more points of interest 
are related here. James Dawson made appli- 
cation for the Pogolome grant, but before it 
was conlirmed to him he died, llis wife under 
lier maiden name, Donna Maria Antonia Cazares, 
secured the confirmation of the grant to her- 
self as the widow of Santiago (James) Dawson. 
This confirmation was made by Manuel Michel- 
torena on the 12th day of Feliruary, 184-4, and 
was approved by the Departmental Assembly 
December 2(3, 1845. The grant contained 
8,788.81 acres. In November, 1847, F. G. 
i>lume married Mrs. Dawson, and the charge of 
the property passed into liis liands. lie resided 
in Sonoma at that time, and was engaged in 
mercantile pursuits. He sent liis brother-in- 
law, Henry Hagler, to the ranch as his agent. 
Hagler, it will be remembered, was the man 
who came from Baltimore with (-aptain Smith 
as a ship's carpenter. He remained in charge 
until 1848, when ^Ir. lUume and his wife moved 
upon the rancho and took charge. They have 
resided continuously in the same house ever 
since. About this time his father-in-law, Fran- 
cisco Cazares, with his family, came from Mon- 
terey and settled on the banks of the Ebabias 
Creek. The settlers league forced Mr. Blume 
to sell much uf his valuable estate a( nominal 



figures, so that he now owns but a small portion 
of the original grant. 

The town of Freestone derived its name from 
a kind of easily worked, or free, sandstone 
quarry which is near the place; this rock is 
used extensively for building purposes on ac- 
count of this quality. After a town had been 
started and the dwellers therein were casting 
about for an appropriate name, one Frank 
Harris bethought himself of this freestone 
quarry, and at once suggested it, which, after 
due consideration, was adopted. Mr. Blume 
had kept a small stock of goods in one room uf 
his residence since 1848, but tlie first business 
house erected in the town was a saloon with a 
small store attached kept by Ferdinand Har- 
bordt. This was in 1849. Probably during 
the same year or tlie next at least, S. Brugger- 
man erected a large store building at (.)'Farreirs 
place. In 1853 Mr. lilume built a large two- 
story hotel, which he rented to James Dobson. 
During tlie same year W. H. Sailhardt built a 
blacksmith shop. The town is nicely located, 
and is fast becoming popular for country resi- 
dences for city people. It is within easy reach 
of San Francisco. 

Valley Ford. — This thriving little village is 
situated on the Estero Americano, four miles 
from its mouth. It received its name from the 
fact that an old Indian and Spanish ford across 
this stream was located at this place. Stephen 
L. and James E. Fowler were the first settlers 
here, Iiaving purchased of Mr. Blume (340 
acres lying between the Estero and Ebabias 
creeks. In July of 1852, they built a house 
about 200 yards from the old ford. The same 
year Thos. Smith built a cabin near where John 
Vanderleith now lives. Sanford & Webber 
located across the creek. They received a port- 
able grist-mill from the east, and during that 
winter were kept busy grinding grain for the 
neighbors. The Hour was coarse and unbolted. 
Whitehead Fowler and E. Thurber also located 
in this part of Big Valley during that year. 
During the next year the greater portion of the 
valley land was taken up. In 1854 a crop uf 



BISTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



oats, yielding 100 bushels to the acre, was 
raised on the present town site. During this 
year Stephen C. Fowler and his family, consisting 
of his wife and sons, John 11. and Nathaniel, 
arrived at Valley Ford. Mrs. Fowler was the 
first lady resident of that section. In 185(i the 
Thos. Smith above mentioned began operations 
with a grist-mill on a small scale. He had two 
run of burrs, and used twelve horses as a motor. 
Two years later a steam engine was placed in 
tlie mill, and it soon became famous for its 
extra brands of flonr. In the fall of 18B1 
Daniel Hall opened a blacksmith shop. That 
same year J. 11. Fowler and O. M. Perkins 
opened a general merchandise business; Jas. 

F. Fowler opened a lumber yard, and E. B. and 
J. AV. I'almer built a carpenter shop. J. N. 
liien built the Valley Ford' Hotel in 1861. In 
the summer of 1876 the North Pacific Coast 
Railroad Company extended their line through 
the town and erected a neat depot. This brings 
the people of this place within four hours of 
San Francisco, instead of the old-time tedious 
route via Petaluma. The populati 2 of the 
place is about 100. 

Valley Ford I. <>. 0. T.— This lodge. No. 
150, was organized March 2, 1865. The char- 
ter members were: Rev. J. R. Hammond, Mary 
E. Stanley, Benj. Harrington, A. M. Huntley, 
Miss Lizzie Mills, Geo. P. Stanley, Wm. Hunt- 
ley, Rev. A. Fairbairn, E. D. Mills, Wm. With- 
row, A. J. Blainey, Mrs. C. E. Fowler, Mrs. A. 
E. Huntley and E. M. Dibble. Rev. J. R. 
Hammond was the first W. C. T., and Benj. 
Hammond the first Secretary. 

Presbyterian Chnreh. — This church organi- 
zation was efiected December 5, 1863, by Rev. 
Thomas Eraser, as the Old Scliool Presbyterian 
Church of Big Valley, under the Presbytery at 
Benicia, and the Synod of the Pacific Coast. 
Tile organizing members were Stephen C. Fow- 
ler, Mrs. Rebecca Fowler, Mrs. Mary J. Palmer, 
Mrs. Olivia N. Gordon, Mrs. Elizabeth Pettit, 
Mrs. Laura Mecham, Miss Olivia E. Mechain, 

G. W. Case, Mrs. Adelaide L. Case, Mrs. Hannah 
N. Hall, Mrs. H. Cain and Mrs. Sarah B. Palmer. 



OrciDENTAT.. — This is a beautiful little village 
situated in a most delightful location. It is on 
the line of the North Pacific Coast Railroad, 
at the point where it crosses the divide between 
the waters whicii flow into the 0"Farrel Valley 
on the south, and into tlic Russian River, 
tiirough Howanl's canon, on tlic north. Fiom 
this fact the place is called Summit. The rail- 
road company have named the station Howards, 
in honor of William Howard, the oldest settler 
living in that section and on whose land a por- 
tion of the town is situated. The other portion 
of the town is built upon land belonging to M. 
C. Meeker. The first start of this town was 
far different from most California towns, and 
we hasten to record the fact that the first build- 
ing in the place was a church. The committee 
who were appointed to choose a location for the 
proposed church building met, and after select- 
ing the site, took into consideration what natne 
they should give to it. They decided upon Occi- 
dental. The postoffice was also petitioned for 
under that name, hence the place is mentioned in- 
difi'erently as Howard's Station, Meekers, Sum- 
mit and Occidental. The town lies in the heart 
of a redwood forest, and the old stumps still 
stand in the streets. One hundred and twenty 
thousand shingles were made out of a tree which 
stood on the town site. The church building 
mentioned above was erected in 1876. That 
same year the railroad reached this point, and 
the first passenger train arrived here October 
16, 1876. M. C. Meeker erected a hotel build- 
ing whicli was occupied by J. W. Noble. He 
begaT) operations in January, 1877. The first 
store was opened by McCaughey & Co., April 4, 
1877. Other buildings followed in rapid suc- 
cession, and now Occidental is a lovely moun- 
tain town and a delightful summer resort. 

The first permanent settler in this immediate 
section was Michael Kolmer. He arrived in 
California in 1846, having with him his family, 
consisting of his wife, two daughters and one 
son. They spent that winter at Sutter's Fort, 
then went to Fort Ross, and spent the year of 
1847. In 1848 he came down and leased 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



293 



land of Captain 8inith, on the Bodega Eancho. 
This tract of land was located about tivo and 
one-half miles west of the present site of 
Howard's Station, in what is known as Cole- 
man Valley. The original name was Kolmer 
Valley, taking its appellation from the Kolmer 
family, it has since been moditied to Coleman. 
One of the daughters married William Howard, 
and still resides with her husband at their 
homestead near Occidental. The other daugh- 
ter married William Bennitz,and_is now residing 
in the Argentine Republic. A man named 
Patrick McCue was the ne.xt settler. He lo- 
cated in a little valley just east of Howard's 
Station in 1849. McCue came to California in 
1847 with Samuel Brannan and the Mormons 
in the ship BrocMiin. He came to Bodega 
and worked at the blacksmith business for some 
time for Captain Smith on his rancho and at 
his mill. He soon, however, came to the mill 
run by James ])lack and others, near the pres- 
ent site of Freestone. He followed his trade 
here for a while, and finally settled as stated 
above. In 1852 he left the country. The next 
permanent settler was AV^illiam Howard, who 
came to California in 1848, and located on his 
present homestead in 184!*. He was the first 
settler who actually owned the land he was 
upon, and is the only old settler who still 
resides in this vicinity. Mr. Howard had a 
l>artncr by the name of Charles Romer. They 
remained together until 1855. During the 
next few years several squatters came and went, 
but none made permanent homes. From that 
time on till the advent of the railroad, nothing 
occurred to cause a ripple upon the even tenor 
of its way. The town has assumed quite an 
importance as a shipping point, cord-wood, 
fence-posts, tan-bark and charcoal form the bulk 
of the exports. 

Methodist Episi'opal Vlturch.- -'Y\\ii Occi- 
dental (M. E.) church edifice was erected in 
187t),but a church organization was not efl'ected 
till the following year. 

Salmon Creek Lodge, I. 0. (). F. — This 
Lodge, No. 2ii4, was organized August 3, 1875, 



at Bodega Corners, and was moved to Occidental 
May 25, 1878. The charter members were: 
J. K. Smith, G. C. Taylor, J. H. Brown, A. 
Willis, David Robinson, H. Samsel, AV. J. 
Lewis, L. F. Wormell and J. Sutter. The first 
officers were: J. K. Smith, N. G.; G. C. Taylor, 
V. G.; J. H. Brown, Secretary, and D. Robin- 
son, Treasurer. 

Saio-Mllls. — As has already been stated, the 
first attempt to make lumber in this township 
was made by James Dawson, in 1835, with a 
saw-pit and hand rip-saw. The first mill was 
that of Captain Smith, which was the first 
steam saw-mill in California, established in 1843. 
The next saw-mill was located on the Jonive 
Rancho, and was put in operation sometime pre- 
vious to 1849. We find no record of when the 
mill was built, but find that it was disposed ol 
in 1849. This mill was situated on the little 
creek which passes through Freestone, very 
near the present site of the town, and was run 
by water power. Edward M. Mcintosh, James 
Black, Thomas Butters, William Leighton, Fred- 
erick Llegel, Thomas Wood and a pioneer who 
was known by the peculiar name of " Blinking 
Tom,"' put the mill in operation. In 1849 it 
is said that they disposed of their mill and lum- 
ber to F. G. Blume and went to the mines. 
The next milling enterprise was inaugurated in 
1848, and was known as the "Benicia" or 
" Blumedale Mill and Lumber Company." This 
company was composed of mechanics who were 
at work on the Government barracks at Benicia. 
Charles McDermot was President and John 
Bailiff, Secretary; Lieutenant, now Genei-al 
George Stoneman, and a Mr. McKnight, and 
others, were members of the company. F. G. 
Blume rented the land to this company, hence 
the name of "Blumedale." It was a circular 
saw and the power was steam. It was put in 
operation in 1849. The site of the mill was on 
Ebabias Creek, about one mile south of Free- 
stone. The next mill built was what is now 
known as the Joy mill. It was put in opera- 
tion in 1855, by three luMthers by the name of 
Thurston. It is located northward from iiodega 



294 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Corners, and is still standing on the original 
site, and is doing good service yet. It has a 
capacity of about 3,000 feet per day. Messrs. 
Mndge, Phelps and Perkins, the parties who 
purchased Captain Smith's mill, aiul leased tlie 
timber land for ninety-nine year.*, niDved tlieir 
mill, in 18513, to a site about one mile south of 
Occidental. In 18G2 they removed it to Men- 
docino County. In 1866 M. C. Meeker put 
his mill in operation. It is located near the old 
site of the last named mill, south of Occidental. 
It is a fine mill, and has a capacity of 15,000 
feet daily. There is one pair ot double saws in 
it, the bottom saw being si.xty inches in diame- 
ter, and the top one fifty-eight. It is also sup- 
plied witii a full outfit of all the necessary 
machinery and appliances to make it a first-class 
mill in every respect. In 1867 Mr. Smith 
built a mill in Coleman Valley. It has a capac- 
ity of 12,000 feet, and is a first-class mill. 

A correspondent of the Sonoma Counti/ 
Journal in 1860, gave the following account of 
the death and burial of an Indian at Bodega: 

Died, Xovember 23, 1860, at the Rancharie, 
near Bodega Hanch House, Juan Urande, for 
many years a faithful vaquero of the Bodega 
rancho. 

Juan Grande is dead, and his dusky sons and 
daughters and gray-haired kindred stand around 
his lifeless body, tearing their hair, beating 
their breasts with stones, throwing themselves 
upon the earth, and weeping and wailing with 
frantic violence over the lost and gone. 

Juan Grande had been sick for several days, 
and one night as he lay awake in his cabin, he 
thought he heard his old squaw — who died a 
short time previous — calling upon him to go 
and live with her in the sjiirit land. He took 
his knife, drove it to the hilt in his body, turn^ 
ing upon his side, and died. 

Many years ago, before the advent of '• the 
pale faced Yankees," when these hills were all 
covered with elk and antelope and deer, and 
from every valley curled the smoke over the 
Rancharies of his people; in that golden age of 
diggerdom, when the priests fed and clothed 



their bodies and looked after their souls, and 
received in return their easy labor, Juan Grande 
had listened to the teachings of the good old 
padre, and been christened at the Mission of 
San Ilafael. His body, therefore, could not be 
consigned to tiie flames, but must receive an 
attempt, at least, at Christian burial. 

In a rough board coffin, fashioned by un- 
skilled hands, they bear his remains to the 
burial place of his fathers — a small enclosure 
set apart by the old padre, and marked by a 
rude cross as consecrated ground. There, with 
loud lamentation and a weird like-chant, said to 
be an incantation to the spirits of evil, he is 
lowered to his rest. His clothes, beads and 
other trinkets are laid in his coffin. The stone 
mortar and pestal, with which he ground his 
aide, is broken and placed by his side. One 
by one, with noisy demonstrations of grief, they 
cast a handful of earth upon his coffin, and then 
the grave is quickly filled up with a spade. 
Again they raise tlieir wild incantation, beat 
their breasts, pull their hair, and dash them- 
selves violently upon the ground, giving them- 
selves cuts and bruises that must last for weeks. 
Then, silently, one by one, in different direc- 
tions, they disappeared. But morn after morn, 
at break of da}', they revisit the spot, and as the 
first rays of the sun rest upon his grave, the 
sound of lamentation floats down the valley on 
the morning air. 

Martin, one of the old man's sons, was ab- 
sent; but he saw a circle around both sun and 
moon, and he knew that his father had been 
killed. Silently he shouldered his rifle and 
hastened to avenge his death. He is just ar- 
rived at the Rancharie, thirsting for vengeance. 
But his brothers all tell him that the old man 
died by his own hand, that he might rejoin 
their mother; and Martin, pacified, lays down 
his rifle and says, •• 7'odo esta bucno," it is all 
right. 

The Petaluma jbyan of April 15, 1869, says: 

" A correspondent writing us from Bodega 
relates the following singular incident. He 
says: A novel sight was witnessed a few days 



HISTORY OP SONOUfA COUNTY. 



29o 



since by Mr. Gaft'any, who lives near Bodega 
Bay. While plowing near the coast his atten- 
tion wa.'i directed to an nnusual commotion in 
the water, nearly a mile from f-iiore, which 
proved to be a conflict between five sword fish 
and a sperm whale. The ocean was qnite calm, 
and as they iieared the shore their movements 
could be plainly seen. The whale was no match 
for his smaller antagonists, who seemed to un- 
derstand his only means of defense, and dis- 
played considerable knowledge of tactics in 
parrying with their formidable adversary. In 
making their thrusts into his sides they would 
keep clear of his tail, one blow of which would 
have been fatal to them. With maddened fury 
the huge monster of the deep would strike right 
and left, causing the water to boil by the force 
of the blow — and then he would dive deep to 
escape the relentless fury of his tormentors, but 
he was followed and soon l)rought to the sur- 
face. Deep gashes could be seen in his sides, 
and the blood flowing freely. The fight was 
witnessed for nearly an hour, when the wliale in 
the agony of despair, started for the shore, fling- 
ing himself upon some low rocks, and soon died 
from the effects of his wounds. Gashes two 
feet deep and si.\ feet long were made iu his 
sides. Many in this vicinity went to see him. 
He was between fifty ami sixty feet long. The 
third day tiie tide rose high enough to float him 
from the rocks and he floated out to sea." 

A recent writer on the past and present of 
J'odega Bay says: " I'"rum the daysof '49 until 
well up tovvard 18G0, one of the most active 
and important shipping points along the Pacific 
Coast was that of i'odega I'ort. From iiere 
during the early days of California were sent 
into the San Francisco market the largest por- 
tion of all the potatoes consumed not only in 
the great commercial metropolis of tiie State, 
but along the Sacramento and iu the mining 
camps of the Sierra Nevadas. In tliose days 
the waters of iiodega P>ay were whitened with 
the canvas of a fleet of schooners and sloops 
employed in the transportation of the celebrated 
" Bodega Spuds." Tlien it was that Bodega 



was honored by being declared a port of entry, 
and the ponderous Mike Doherty tilled the re- 
sponsible and arduous position of collector. Its 
warehouses and wharves were tilled with the 
products of the surrounding hills and vales, and 
all was alive with the bustle and activity inci- 
dent to its receipts and sliipments. P>ut a 
change, a sad cliaiige has come over the scene I 
Bodega Bay has tilled and shallowed until it is 
no longer navigable ; the white-winged fleet has 
disappeared from its placid waters; its hills and 
plains are the homes of herds of lowing kine; 
its people have departed ; its bustling, busy 
wharves fallen to decay, and its rubicund collec- 
tor sought other climes ; in short, the stillness 
of death well-nigh reigns round about Bodega 
Port and Bay ! " 

RUSSIAN RIVER TOWNSHIP 

Lies between Mendocino on the north and 
east. Knight's Valley on the east, and Santa 
Rosa and Analy on the south. It contains 
41,423 acres, assessed at $729,495, or $17| per 
acre. The total assessed value of all property 
is $994,160. It includes the towns of Windsor 
and Mark West. Its population in 1880 was 
1,076. The present population is about 1,200. 
The town of Windsor and the country about it 
has taken a start, owing to the increase in the 
area of vineyards and orchards. A new winery 
has been erected, and improvements of all kinds 
are noticeable on every hand. Every variety of 
agricultural and pomological or viticultural pro- 
duct is raised easily and in abundance. 

Allen, Bowan & Co., in their excellent history 
of Sonoma County, give the following historic 
reminiscences: " In the year 1840 Cyrus Alex- 
ander completed his arrangements with Fitch, 
took charge of the ranch, and selected a spot 
whereon to build a house. This he found on 
the east side of Russian Kiver, opposite to the 
site now occupied by the flourishing town ot 
Healdsburg. In the construction of the domi- 
cile, access was had, as may be imagined, to but 
few mechanics' tools, and no nails, the sidings 
were split and hewed from the well known red- 



B I STORY OF SONOMA OOUNTT. 



wood, a timber somewhat similar to white pine, 
but not so heavy nor close-grained, still it is 
easily worked and of wonderful durability ; 
grooves were cut in the sills and plates, and 
after framing these, the sidings were set up in 
the grooves and aforesaid sills, and the plates 
being placed on top of the sidings, all were 
firmly bound together with raw-hide. The only 
sawed lumber used throughout the construction 
of this dwelling were two planks, subsequently 
procured from the town of Sonoma, which were 
made into doors. Thus we find the first settler 
in Kussian Eiver Township was Cyrus Alex- 
ander, and the first house erected in it was by 
the same pioneer. What a change has come 
o\er the spirit of the dream. When we look 
around and see the elegant structures which 
have since sprung up, we can hardly realize that 
so few years can have worked such magic. 
Alexander's life was now one of care; he had his 
fiocks to tend, and himself to keep from despond- 
ency, lie taught the Indians to place confidence 
in the word of a white man; he fed them to the 
best of his ability, spoke kindly to them, for he 
had acquii'ed the Spanish tongue while a resi- 
dent of Southern California, and Digger Indians 
conversed in a j)atois of that language, and in 
time, so truly had he worked, they aided him in 
bis labors, and became company for him in his 
solitude. The only suit of clothes which he had 
brought with him soon showed signs of wear 
and tear, therefore, in order to manufacture new 
ones he must start a tannery; this he did on a 
suitable location on Fitch Mountain. lie sank 
his vats and went to work, with nothing but his 
indomitable will as his aid. The bark he ob- 
tained in the immediate vicinity; the hides were 
not far to seek, but he found the obtaining of 
lime an almost insurmountable difficulty. A 
few moments' reflection solved the impediment; 
he despatched some Indians to the sea coast, a 
distance of about thirty-five miles, to procure 
shells from the shore; these they brought back 
in their baskets. They were burned and pro- 
duced good lime; in short, a superior kind of 
leather was made, thus ensuring for himself 



clothes for his back and shoes for his feet. At 

this • period let us note who were Alexander's 
nearest English-speaking neighbors. These 
were Mr. Cooper, at Bodega; Mark West, be- 
tween him and Sonoma; to the north was John 
Gordon, on Cache Creek, now in Yolo County, 
one hundred miles away; and east of all. Cap- 
tain Sutter, at what is now Sacramento. 

" This lonesomeness was continued except for 
an occasional visit to the above named neigh- 
bors, until the year 1843, when Frank Bidwell, 
the second settler in Russian River Township, 
appeared on the scene. His, too, had been a life 
of adventure, being passed as a trapper and fur 
hunter among the Indians. On meeting with 
Alexander he was induced to stay, and with him 
made the following terms: Bidwell to remain 
with him, assisting him in every way, for five 
or six years, at the end of which time he was to 
receive 500 acres of land. This he obtained in 
he year 1850. 

" But to return to our subject. In 1842 Cyrus 
Alexander, with the aid of some Digger Indians, 
commenced the construction of the house now 
known as the Fitch Adobe, still standing on the 
family ranch, near Fitch Mountain. Here he 
planted the first orchard in this section (in 1S43), 
with sprouts from the Russian settlement at 
Fort Ross, whither he had dispatched Hid well 
and an Indian to procure them. In the si>ring 
of 1844 a Mexican family named Pena took up 
their residence, while in December of that year 
he married the sister-in-law of his neighbor 
Gordon, who, as has been said, lived a hundred 
miles away on Cache Creek. This brings us to 
1845, the year when the business compact be- 
tween Alexander and Fitch was severed. We 
reproduce the accompanying letter, more as an 
example of the subject matter on which corre- 
spondence was based in these early days: — 
" San DiErto, July 14, 1845. 

"J/?'. Cyrus Alexander — Dear Sir: — Yours 
of March 25th I did not receive until the 27th 
of last month. I am sorry to learn that you in- 
tend to leave the rancho in October next, con- 
sequently I have made arrangements with Moses 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



297 



Carson to take charge of the ran.cho, with all my 
interest in tlie same; and have given him orders 
to that efiect. "Whatever articles I sent yon, 
such as farming utensils, carpenters' tools, etc., 
that you do not wish to keep, 1 will take back 
at the same price, provided they are not too 
much damaged by wear. The two large whalers' 
tripods, the winnowing machine, and the Amer- 
ican cart-wheels I never considered as sold to 
you, but delivered them to be used on the 
rancho. I expect you to leave them, also the 
auger, grist-mill spindle and tire, log-chain, 
screw-plates, and other iron and steel ware, sent 
in 1843, too numerous to mention, such as locks, 
hinges, etc. I told Mr. Carson tiiat in case you 
wished to deliver anything lie considered not 
receivable, to give you a receipt and to retain 
them as on deposit. 1 hope you have received 
the three hundred liead of cattle from Pico, and 
those from Marco Baco, and-Pacheco, and have 
taken them to your part of tlie rancho; in that 
case you will deliver all of my cattle to Mr. Car- 
son; you will also deliver to him one-half of the 
wool and one-half of all the grain raised. I have 
been disappointed in not iiaving received a letter 
from you sooner. You said nothing about the 
crops. You stated that you had sent me fifteen 
fanadas, one of beans, eight of wheat. I ex- 
pected more beans and corn, and I iiave not re- 
ceived even that small lot. There must be some 
neglect somewhere. 1 have not had a bean in 
my house for two months. I reijuested Mr. 
Carson to ship me some from the I'ancho in case 
there were any there. You will please advise 
and assist Mr. Carson, in so doing you will much 
oblige me. As to the new house 1 hope you 
have the walls up; and as to the boards and 
shingles, I do not care to engage any more, but 
will attend to that myself. Wishing you every 
success, 1 remain, 

'• Yours truly, II. D. Fitch. 

" P. S. — According to my account, 1 have 
forwarded to you from November, 1841, to 
November, 1843, the following number of cat- 
tle, viz: 39 oxen, 4 tame cows, 149 cows de 
rodeo, 408 baquias, large and small, 45 novillos. 



64 bulls, 65 bakas, 88 head of cattle from Ra- 
phael Garcia, ilr. Leice [sic) delivered 922 
head; Mr. Larkins delivered some since. In 
1842 I put 22 tame horses, 3 tame mares, 4 wild 
mares, 4 machos and 1 colt. I have the papers 
of the rancho approved by the Assembly, and 
think all will be correct. 

" Respectfully, H. D. Frrcic." 

"The American cart-wheels mentioned in the 
above letter were evidently ihe first used in the 
county. 

" The trail beaten out by the first trappers, 
explorers and settlers, followed the base of the 
foot-hills, crossing the boundary of the town- 
ship at the iSan Miguel adobe, from thence it 
passed through the present site of the town of 
Windsor, and left the boundary of the township 
a few hundred yards below the Fitch House. 
This road was made by the Spaniards and In- 
dians; but the first immigrants, after Alexander 
and Bidwell, had formed a settlement in the 
lower part of the valley; those succeeding 
turned westward toward this settlement at the 
crossing of Mark West, and soon had a well- 
defined road through the open country, which 
passed near the house of Henry White, crossed 
the Windsor Creek on the farm now owned by 
Q. E. Tebbs, and came down into the valley 
tlirough the hollow on the ranch of Thomas 
Mitchell; from thence turning northward and 
joining the first meTitioned route atthecrossing 
of Russian River at the locality already named. 
These two roads were, for some time, the only 
thoroughfares in the township; it was not long, 
however, before settlers, desiring a more direct 
route to ' Felty " Miller's and March's saw- 
mill, made a new ford at Summers Brumfield's, 
which remained as a direct road to Mill Creek 
for a number of years. 

" As has been already shown, the first house 
in the township was erected by Cyrus Alexan- 
der; the second was put up by Lindsay Carson 
in 1849, and still stands on the estate of Samuel 
E. Miller. Both of these structures were built 
of adobe. The third house was built of logs, 
on the land now owned by Benoni Hotchkiss, 



UTSTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



i)3^ one Louis Legendre, a Frenchman, who ar- 
rived at about the same time as Lindsay Carson, 
in 1847. This Frenchman, familiarly known as 
Louis, also constructed the first house of sawed 
lumber, the planks for which were procured 
from March's mill on Mill Creek, he being pro- 
bably the first purchaser who patronized that 
enterprise. This house now forms the ground- 
work of the dining-room and kitchen used by J. 
W. Calhoun, the timber being to this day as 
sound and solid as though but a few years old. 

" E. Harrison Barnes and William Potter in 
1850 started a store in the adobe by Carson the 
previous year, but soon after removed to another 
building of their own at the junction of the be- 
fore mentioned Mark West road and river route. 
This was the first storein the township, as it was 
also the first in the whole county north of Sonoma. 
In 1852 Lindsay Carson bought the interest 
of Potter and continued the business at the same 
place with Barnes until the following year,1853, 
when the store and all its contents were carried 
away by the high water of the Russian River, 
and lodged in a field a quarter of a mile be- 
low. Fortunately the building floated upright, 
and the goods were recovered and carried out in 
a flat-boat, with but few articles damaged. The 
firm then continued Inisiness in a house on the 
farm of A. B. IS'alh-, which land was then owned 
by Carson. Barnes and Carson continued this 
store until 1856, M'hen in March of that year 
Barnes had disposed of his interest to Carson, 
who had in turn sold out to W. G. McManus; 
it was moved to the just started town of Healds- 
burg in the adjoining township, and was the 
second store in that city. 

" In 1851 a number of new settlers arrived 
in the township, while in the latter end of that 
year there were then residing in its limits, F'rank 
Bidwell, Lindsay Carson, E. Harrison Barnes, 
William Potter. Tom and Ike Smith, J. W. Cal- 
houn, James Campbell, John Pruett, II. J. Pool, 
James Brooks, L. Slusser, Chitwood Brothers 
and Louis Legendre. In this year the first local 
election took place, and resulted in the election 
of Harrison Barnes as justice of the peace of 



Russian River. Township. This election was 
held at the store of Barnes and Carson, the fol- 
lowing one in 1853. being at Pruett's school 
house, now Shiloah Church. 

" In lS52-'53 settlers began to fill up the 
township, among those arriving being J. W. 
Yates, Henry White, Thomas Mitchell, Alex- 
ander Wilson, Lee Laughlin, George Brum- 
field, and many others who then located on 
the places which they now possess, and have 
made so valuable and beautiful. There were 
but few families previous to the year 1853, 
most of the immigrants being single men who 
sought the accumulation of a rapid fortune and 
a speedy return to their ancestral homes, conse- 
quently the first marriage was an event of no 
small importance, and to which all were bidden 
from far and near. The contracting parties on 
the occasion now noted were John Pruett and 
Bettie Brooks, the nuptial knot being tied by 
Harrison Barnes as justice of the neace. The 
ceremony took place at the residence of Mr. 
Chitwood, about one mile east of AVindsor in 
the fall of 1851. 

" In 1850 J. J. ]\Iay, a Cumberland Presby- 
terian preacher held service at the adobe of Lind- 
say Carson, and was therefore the first to preach 
the gospel in the township; after him came P. 
Riley, Baptist, and S. M. Smith, Methodist, and 
in 1856 ' Parson ' Cux organized Shiloah 
Church, which was the first religious institu- 
tion. In 1853 there was a school organized on 
the present site of the Shiloah Church, and a 
small shanty built, which bore the name of 
Pruett's school-house, the district formed being 
called Russian River district, which included 
the whole township. This district was divided 
in 1856 upon the petition of Robert Cunning- 
ham, Hiram Lewis, H. J. Pool and others, and 
the portion thus cut ott" was called Windsor 
district, which was partitioned in 1864 into 
Hill and Windsor, by petition of W. S. Clark, 
Richard Holloway, H. J. Pool and others; that 
of Tamater being organized according to the 
petition of Tamater, Hudson, etc., in 1867. 

"The Frenchman. Louis Leo^endre, and Lind- 



ItlSTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



say Carson were the first considerable growers 
of wheat, Legendre owning and farming the 
land now occupied by J. W. Calhoun. Ilis 
method of tilling tiie soil was rude, hut the best 
then in practice. The plow was an odd imple- 
ment, consisting of the fork of some oak of the 
right angle, one prong of which served for the 
beam, and the other, after being shod with a 
small piece of iron, served to turn up the virgin 
soil. Two oxen with a stout piece of timber, 
bound across their foi'elieads for a yoke, served 
as a motive power; one Indian walked before to 
point out the line of march, while another 
walked behind and held the ?ino;le upright 
stick which served for a handle to guide the 
plow aright. After the wheat was sown, a limb 
of a tree or brush was called in to act the part 
of a harrow, and from this crude tillage Le- 
gendre reaped from forty to fifty bushels per 
acre." 

Events of a tragic nature have not often dis- 
turbed the good people of this section. Mc- 
Knight was the first man who met death. In 
1852 he had a number of Indians at work get- 
ting out rails in the field of J. R. Dutton, then 
abounding in stately redwoods. Despite the 
remonstrance of ceiiain persons, he had built 
his cabin in the line of aluige tree, wjiich wasat 
that time being felled. The chopping of the tree 
was finished one quiet Sunday morning by the 
India'is, when it fell upon the cabin in which 
McKuight lay asleep and killed him. Louis 
Legendre, the Frenchman mentioned above, was 
the second man killed. lie had a considerable 
sum of money in his house, which aroused 
the cupidit}- of a Mexican, who murdered him 
for the booty, and compelled some Indians to 
bury him in one of iiis own fields. This Mexi- 
can was afterward arrested, but, effecting his 
escape, was never caught. Kidd was shot at 
Mark West in 1804. 

Windsor. — The village of AVindsor, situated 
on the county road leading from Saiita Rosa to 
Ilealdsburg, being six miles southeast of thelat- 
ter and nine northwest of the former, is built 
on a plateau, elevated some fifty feet or more 



above the river bottom, and is known locallv to 
all, except the inhabitants, as " Poor Man's 
Flat," a name applied to that section of country 
in 1854 by Tom Sewell, a well-known person in 
those days. 

Rut " Poor Man's Flat" has proved to be one 
of the liest vine and wine producing sections of 
the county, and now land that a few years 
since was considered of little value, is being 
planted to vines and fruit, and is highly valueil. 

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 

This township is one of the garden spots of 
creation. It is surrounded on the east, south 
and west b}' Mendocino Township, and on the 
north by Cloverdale. It includes 20,674 acres, 
assessed at §264,340, or $12| per acre. The 
total assessment roll foots up §484,960. Geyser- 
ville is the principal town and is a thriving vil- 
lage situated amid orchards, vineyards and grain 
fields. The population in 1880 was 548, but at 
present few would estimate it at less than 1,000. 
This section has improved as rapidly as any in 
the county during the past year, and the area 
in fruit and vines is still to be increased. 

This townsjiip consists principally of hill and 
valley lands, the soil of the former about Gey- 
serville being well adapted to fruit culture, and 
the growth of wine grapes; indeed, there is 
every essential in soil and climate for the pro- 
duction of the best varieties of grapes, stone 
and seed fruits. During the past few years 
thousands of acres in that township have been 
planted to vines antl orchards, and the work still 
goes on. 

Gkyskrvili.i;. — -This has hitherto been an un- 
pretentious village, at which passengers for 
Skaggs' Springs took stage. Rut its fruit in- 
dustries will make it a center of importance in 
the course of time. 

REDWOOD TOWNSHIP 

Is bounded by Mendocino on the north, 
Analy on the east, Rodega on the south and 
Ocean on the west. It includes what was once 
the finest lumbering region in the county, but 



iiisroRY OF sdkoma county. 



the land has been and is being rapidly denuded 
of timber and is being converted into dairy 
ranches or orchards and vineyards. Xear its 
northern boundary is the Great Western Quick- 
silver mine, which is one of the richest known. 
This townsiiip contains 28,060 acres, valued at 
:5>215,515, or $9A per acre. Tlie total assessed 
value of all property is !i;364,540. The only 
town in tliis township is (Tuerneville. It is 
thriving. The hills nortli and west of it are 
being rapidly settled. Its population in 1880 
was 913. Now it is estimated at 1,500. 

Ileald & Gnerne established a large mill there 
in 1865. In the winter of IStiT, however, the 
original structure was carried away by the over- 
lldwinw of iiussian River, therefore they built 
th(^ present establishment, which has a capacity 
of producing 20,000 feet of lumber per day, 
finding a ready sale for most of it within the 
county, and for tlie balance in Napa, Lake and 
San Francisco. Tiie saw-mill is kept running 
(luring eight months of the year, it, with the 
aiijacent redwoods, furnishing employment for 
about lifty men. In connection with the saw- 
mill, the manufacture of moldings and such- 
like work is carried on extensively. Belonging 
to the firm there are 700 acres of timber land, 
not to be excelled in California. 

In 1886 Colonel J. B. Armstrong built a saw- 
mill of large capacity about two miles above 
(iuerneville, and has cut a large ([uaiitity of 
lumber. 

The cliair factory which was established by 
S. W. Famlre in 1874, passed into the hands of 
the present proprietors, Florence it Bruner, in 
1877. The establishment has a capacity of 
manufacturing about seventy chairs per day, 
the uuichinery being run by an eight-horse- 
power engine. The timber used in this business 
is principally monntain and live oak, while the 
seats are made of rawhide strips. A ready sale 
is found for this article of furniture throughout 
the county and vicinity. .\niount of (•a])it;il 
invested, $2,000. 

GcKKNKviLLK. — Tliis is the "uly town in Red- 
wood Township, and is purely a lumber manu- 



facturing center. It is situated on the Russian 
River, sixteen miles northwest of Santa Rosa, 
and was originally settled by R. B. Lunsford, on 
May 1, 1860. Connecting with the main line 
is a branch of the San F'rancisco Ar Nortliern 
Pacific Railroad which runs from Fulton, and 
connects the great central valley of Sonoma 
County with the prolific timber section. This 
route, as well as being used for the immense 
lumber interests, offers an opportunity for tour- 
ists to visit the redwood trees of Sonoma, which 
are second only to thelai-ge timbers of Calaveras 
and Mariposa. 

Redwood Lodge, iV'o. iiSl, I. 0. 0. i-'.—This 
lodge was organized April 3, 1879, with the 
following charter members: Samuel E. Bax- 
ter, James Pell, August Ekburn, William H. 
Bowier, Charles McBee, Edward Stallard; the 
original officers being Samuel Baxter, X. G.; 
William Bowier, Y. G.; Edward Stallard, 
Secretary. 

Methodist Ej^iscopal CIntrch. — This place of 
worship was constructed in May, 1875, and 
dedicated in June of that year. The building is 
28 X 44 feet, and was erected at a cost of $1,200. 

Christian Church. — This church was organ- 
ized in the month of July, 1879, the charter 
members being twenty-six in number. 

OCEAN TOWNSHIP 

This mi'.y be called the west central township, 
as it lies between Salt Point and Bodega, and 
is one of the three which borders upon the 
Pacific. Its assessed acreage is 45,891, valued 
at $309,955, or $6-^ per acre. Tlie assessed 
value of all property is $474,009. Its popu- 
lation in 1880 was 675; now it must reach 
1,000. Duncan's Mills, for a long time the 
northern terminus of the North Pacific Coast 
Railroad, is the most considerable town in the 
township. Settlements have been made about 
Russian Itivcr Station, Moscow and Tyrone, 
also points along the railroad. ]\[arkham's, a 
short distance above Duncan's to which the 
railroad has recently been completed, is a thriv- 
ing place. Duncan's ami Ocean View are 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



301 



favorite places for sportmen. Tlie products of 
tliis township are varied and abnndant. Lumber 
ranks first, the dense redwood forests supplying 
numerons mills, besides posts, pickets, shingles, 
and wood; next comes tlie dairy and sheep 
interest, and close upon these follow potatoes, 
cereals and fruit. Shut off from the cold winds 
and fogs of the coast, Austin Creek Valley is 
being rapidly settled and its capal)ilities as a 
fruit producing region are becoming known and 
appreciated. It is now a favorite summer resort. 

The settlement of tliis township does not 
date back as far as many others in the county. 
From the fact that it was so rough and mount- 
ainous it did not appear to be a very desirable 
location for a home, and while better places 
remained to be had for the asking as it vt'ere, 
no one seemed inclined to locate here. It is 
probable that Henry Austin was about the first 
settler in the township. However, tlie following 
named gentlemen all came inabouttliesametime, 
185G, and it is probable that as much honor 
is due to one as to another: Hugh Breen, Mr. 
Jackson, Philip Crauley, John Orr, James Sheri- 
dan, F. Sheridan, and J. Chenneworth. All these 
gentlemen took up claims, and many of them 
remain there to this day. Mr. Orr chanced to 
locate his claim where now tiie beatifnl little 
town of Duncan's Mill is situated, and now has 
the satisfaction of having seen the dense wilder- 
ness of thirty-two years ago converted into a 
coterie of happy homes. 

Duncan's Mill. — The establishmen t of the site 
on which the town of Duncan's JVIill now stands 
was the result of a conference between the 
ofKcers of the North Pacific Coast Railroad and 
Mr. A. Duncan, the parties most interested. In 
the spring of 1877 Mr. Duncan moved his mill 
to its present location, and the railroad con- 
structed a handsome and durable bridge across 
Russian River, just below the mill, and erected 
the necessary statical buildings, and also an en- 
gine house. Mr. A. Duncan, and his son, S. M. 
Duncan, erected elegant residences. The resi- 
dence of Mr. A. Duncan is especially worthy 
of note; being situated on an eminence to the 



northward of the town it commands a lovely 
view of the town and adjacent valley. Its 
rooms are spacious and everything about it has 
an air of substantial and ornamental utilit}'. 
In the center of the town stands the Russian 
River Hotel, a very large and spacious building, 
having room for the accommodation of a great 
number of guests. During the summer season 
this house is more than full of guests, as the 
town is fast growing into favor as a place of 
resort. It certainly deserves to be a favoi-ite 
with the pleasure and health seeker. It lies 
nestled amid the mountains, on the banks of a 
most beautiful stream of water. Rambles on 
the mountain sides and boating upon the stream 
can be indulged in by the gentler sex, while a 
broad field for the operations of the Nimrod lies 
on every side of the town. Communication with 
the city is quick and comfortable. The North 
Pacific Coast Railroad trains make the round 
trip to San Francisco and back daily, while on 
Sundays an excursion train is run from that city 
to Duncan's Mill and return. 

Brotherhood Lodge, F. tfc A. M. — Brother- 
hood Lodge, No. 251, F. it A. M., was organized 
under dispensation, June 8, 1878. The charter 
members were John Orr, Thomas Beacom, Silas 

D. Ingraham, Samuel Rien, A. II. Heffron, 
James Sheridan, S. M. Duncan, Charles E. Tib- 
betts, I!. R. Wiltse, A. S. Patterson and Charles 
F. Roix. The officers, under dispensation, were: 
John Orr, W. M.; B. R. Wiltse, S. W.; Charles 

E. Tibbetts, J. W.; Samuel Rien, Treasurer; 
and S. M. Duncan, Secretary. 

I'rt'shyteriun Vhitrch. — The Duncan's Mill 
Presliyteriau church was organized in rlutic, 
1878, with the following names upon the church 
roll: Mrs. Alexander Duncan, Thomas Beacom. 
S. M. Duncan, P. Shaw, and William Fleming, 
Rev. Hugh McLeod organized the church. 

C.\ZAi)KKo. — Cazadero, the " hunting ground,'' 
is the much more appropriately significant name 
with which the new owner, (t. S. Montgomery, 
Esq., has most hajipily christened the place 
lately known as " Ingrains," the terminus of 
the Northern Pacific Coast Railroad. 



IIIHTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



New cottages liave already gone up, others 
are in process of erection, unsightly surround- 
ings have been removed, and improved liygienic 
conditions carefully secured. Besides all these, 
commodious foot-bridges to span the creeks at 
convenient intervals, safe bathing and boating 
pools, created by the construction of necessary 
dams, and amply provided with bathing houses, 
tents, platforms, rafts, floats and skiffs, winding 
ways along hillsides and through dales leading 
to romantically located rustic wayside arbors, 
benches and tables for out-door family and 
party lunches, croquet grounds, lawn tennis 
courts, swings, and all possible facilities for safe 
and delightful out-door games are among the 
additions and improvements already projected 
iind in process of realization. 

Surveyors have already laid out a lovely town 
site affording large choice of most desirable 
villa sites, very far superior in both Ijeauty and 
healtlifulness to anything to be found along the 
cold and foggy beaches of the coast. Austin 
Creek itself sweeps musically by, rippling under 
the bridge anti murmuring over its pebbly bed. 
New station, telegraph, express and postoftices, 
new rooms, new dining hall, new stables, new 
cottages, new busses, and the recent transfer of 
the terminus of the Great Northern .Stage Line 
to this jwiut, sutKciently indicate the well 
merited prosperity of this ])opular resort, and 
attests the enterprise of the energetic proprietor. 
Back of the hotel rises Ingram's Knob (900 
feet), a capital place to work up a breakfast 
appetite; in front, across the bridge, you have 
two other peaks of nearly GOO feet; while an 
easy ten minutes' walk beyond, up the bank of 
the Austin, opens the mouth of Minnehaha 
Creek, presenting the most beautiful succession 
of tree-sheltered trout pools, gravelly and peb- 
bly rapids, miniature falls and cascades, and 
especially of gigantic boulders, inclosing now and 
then a cool and shady cave, anywhere to be found. 
Straight up the Austin, five miles, lies Trosper's. 

SALT POINT TOWNSHIP. 
This is the extreme northwest township, ami 



extends from Mendocino County and the Gna- 
lala River on the north to Ocean on the south; 
from Mendocino Township on the east to the 
Pacific Ocean on the west. This township is 
rich in historic reminiscences of the time when 
the Russians endeavored to gain a foothold in 
this realm of the furtherest west. Its products 
are mainly lumber, pickets, posts, shingles, etc., 
with dairy products, ^[any small patches fiii'- 
nish vegetables, fruits and grapes. In the sum- 
mer seasons all along the coast are found camp- 
ers and tourists. The towns are Fort Ross, 
Seaview, Timber Cove, Salt Point, Fisk's Mill 
and Fisherman's Bay. At all these points, and 
a few others, are chutes where vessels are 
loaded or unloaded. Salt Point Township 
contains 97,372 acres, assessed at *460,047 or 
$4.75 per acre. Tlie total assessment is 
$683,492. Its population in 1880 was 875. 
At that time there was but little demand for the 
products of this section, and the present popu- 
lation may easily be fixed at 1,000 or more. 

The soil of this township is mostly of a clayey 
nature, owing to the fact that the greater part 
is situated on the mountain sides. In the val- 
leys it is a sandy loam. The clayey soil is well 
adapted to the growing of vines and trees, while 
the valleys are productive of vegetables, etc. 
To tell the truth, there is a remarkable 
sparseness of soil in almost the entire township, 
except in the small valleys. 

The general surface of Salt Point is very 
rough and broken. There are no valleys of level 
land worth mentioning as such in the entire 
township. There are no mountains of promi- 
nence, yet the entire section is very liilly. 
Near Fort Koss there is an extended section of 
level country. 

Mr. Forbes, in his reliable" History of Upper 
California," says that the super-cargo of a Brit- 
ish ship from India, bound for the coast of 
Mexico, informed him that, on making the coast 
of California, they touched at the Ross settle- 
ment, called La Bodega, which borders on the 
Spanish territory, or of right belongs to it, and, 
although the part which the Russians occupy 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



303 



does not compare in fertility with the interior 
valleys occupied by the Spaniards, yet tliey 
found, immediately on their arrival, a present, 
sent on board l)y the Russian Governor, of most 
excellent butter, cheese, fat mutton, and good 
vegetal) es — all things most desirable for per- 
sons arriving from a long voyage. 

They soon after proceeded to Monterey, the 
then capital of Spanish California, where they 
could tiiid nothing but bull beef. Neither lard, 
butter, cheese nor vegetables were to l)e found. 
'• This was," says Mr. Forbes, " in the year 1822, 
and I am assured by a Me.xican officer, lately 
arrived from Monterey, that the strangers who 
compose a considerable portion of that town are 
at this time (1834) actually- furnished with but- 
ter and cheese from the Russian settlement of 
La Bodega." Sonoma County still maintains 
its early celebrity as a butter-pi'oduciug country'. 
Instead, however, of a few tubs shipped to 
Monterey, its annual income from butter alone 
is over ?;1,500,000. 

Captain Hull, who visited Ross in one of his 
voyages, says the Russian (Governor sent him a 
tub of butter, two fat sheep and some milk, and 
that vegetables were plenty. Ross is still ship- 
ping butter and cheese, and tat sheep and cattle, 
and lumber and tan-bark, and a host of other 
agricultural and forest i)roduets. Tiie Russians 
are no longer there; but the old fort, the work 
of their hands, still stands, and is owned and oc- 
cupied by Mr. George Call, wiio, though not as 
numerous as his predecessors, the Russians, has 
a much better title to the soil ho tills. 

The products of this township are couHnt'd al- 
most exclusively to lumber, shingles, cord-wood, 
fence-posts, tan-bark, railroad ties and fence 
pickets. Not enough of anything else is pro- 
duced, with the exception of dairy products, ibr 
home consumption. There are a few extensive 
dairies and some very extensive stock farms in 
the tiiwnship. Fruits, vines and vegetables do 
well in little patches here and there, where pro- 
tected from the fogs and winds, and reached by 
the warm rays of the sun; outside of this, but 
little of this nature is "■rown. 



The climate, although the township borders 
on the ocean, is far different from that of Bode- 
ga. On the margin of the ocean it is very 
foggy during a greater portion of the year. 
The trade winds strike it fair, and of course this 
makes it very cool during the summer months, 
and sometimes disagi'ceably chilly, but a few 
miles in the interior the climate is as different 
as it is iifty miles away. The heavy belt of 
timber which skirts the ocean seems to break 
the force and effect of the trade winds, while 
the fogs are condensed by it to such an extent 
that but coniparitively little ever reaches the 
valleys a short distance inland. It is conse- 
ijuently warm and dry, and withal pleasant and 
healthful. Mr. Call, who owns the Fort Ross 
property, and has kept a rain-gauge for many 
years, reports the annual rain-fall to l)e about 
tifty inches. 

Among the early settlers of this township 
may be named Christian F. Ruotf, who located 
at Stillwater Cove in the fall of 1851. He en- 
tered a tract of government land which lay be- 
tween the Muniz rancho and Rancho de Herman. 
He died a few years later. N. C. Irwin came 
in 1857, and settled on government land some 
eight miles to the ea.stward of Timl)er Cove. 
David Hopper and R. Moftett came the sau)e 
year, and H. Carson, Richard Temple, Gibson, 
Clark, Freeman, George Mapes, Ira Mapes, and 
J. W. McElroy came in 1858. These all 
settled on the government land back of the 
grants. 

Fort Ross. — This is the oldest place in the 
township, as, in fact, it is in the county; and 
this whole region has been so fully mentioned 
elsewhere that there can be but little added. 
At Fort Ross there is a hotel, saloon, store, 
blacksmith shop, meat market, post and tele- 
graph office. The ])Ostoffice was establishsd 
May 23, 1877, with George W. Call, Post- 
master. 

TnriiKK Cove. Hack in the early sixties. 
Timber Cove was quite a lively place. The 
Kalkman Brothers were doing a heavy lum])er 
business. The mill was Ijurued in 180-4. The 



304 



HI8T0RT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



place is now a mere shipping point for cord- 
wood, fence-posts, tan-hark and railroad ties. 

Sni.LWATKR Co\ K.- This place is a niei'e 
shipping point, having a chute and (jther conve- 
niences for loading schooners. 

Salt I^)int. — In the spring of \Hh'i Messrs. 
Ilendy and Duncan moved the mill machinery 
of the old Benicia or Blumedale Saw-mill Com- 
pany down from the mines, whither they liad 
taken it upon becoming the owners of it, and 
located at Salt Point. This was doubtless the 
first steam saw-mill in the township. At this 
time the mill was small, only having the capac- 
ity of 5,000 feet per day. In 185J the engine 
was enlarged to a si.xteen horse-power, and this 
increased the capacity of the mill to 12,000 feet. 
While here, Mr. Ilendy disposed of his interest 
to A. Duncan, and the brothers continued to 
run the mill here till January, 1860. While 
here, it is estimated that they cut 30,000,000 
feet of lumber. In its prime days there was 
quite a village here, but only a few straggling, 
half tumbled down shanties are left now to mark 
the site of the milling village. 

Fisk's Mill. — J. C. Fisk came to this place 
and built a mill in April, 1860. He had for- 
merly used the machinery in Napa Valley, it 
being located about eight miles above the city. 
The mill was steam and had a capacity of 20,- 
000 feet per day. It was run here for fourteen 
years and then moved to Cutl'y's Cove. It is 
estimated that in those fourteen years the enor- 
mous quantity of 42,000,000 feet of lumber was 
cut. Mr. Fisk built a chute at this place in 
1860. He disposed of his interest in the mill 
in 1865 to Fred. Helmke. The mill is gone and 
with it all life. 

FisuKKMAx's Bay. — This place was first set- 
tled ill 1858, l)y A. L. Fisk, who erected a store 
and hotel building, and put both in operation. 
The first saw-mill was put in operation at this 
point in 1867, by a tirni composed of II. P>. 
riatt and H. .\. M. Cook, of San Francisco, 
known as the I Matt Mill Company. The capac- 
ity of this mill was 30,000 feet per day. It was 
located near the town, and the building is still 



standing, though the machinery is all gone and 
the tramways all Ijroken up. The Clipper Mill 
was put in opei'ation in 1869, by Rutherford ct 
Hook. Its capacity was 40,000 feet per day. 
It, too, has suspended operations. It is doubt- 
ful whether these mills will ever be put in rjpe- 
ration again or not. 

Lodijes. — There is but one lodge of any order 
in the township, aiid that is a lodge of U. A. O. 
D. It is Plantation Lodge No. 32, and is locat- 
ed near the " Plantation House," a wayside inn 
back from Fisk's Mill about three miles. This 
lodge was organized October !», 1878. The 
charter members were, Jos. Luttinger, Benj. F. 
Warren, Simon Von Arx, August Raditi. D. A. 
Raymond, AVm. A. Richardson, ('has. Tliomp 
son, Geo. Decker, Victor Durant, Fred Joerja- 
son, E. Rule, Herman Tucker, J no. Caponah 
Angelo Cerena, and Peter Eckhardt. The first 
olticers were, P. Eckhardt, N. A.; F. Warren, 
V. A.; F. Joerjason, Secretary, and J. Luttin- 
ger, Treasurer. The hall building was erected 
in 1878, at an e.xpense of $2,000. It is a very 
neat building, and the lodge room very cosy. 

Wayside Jnni^: — On what is known as the 
" ridge road,"' i. e., the road which passes along 
up the coast, a distance of perhaps three miles 
back from the ocean, and on a sort of a ridge or 
back-bone of the first range of hills, are situated 
two wayside inns, one known as Henry's Hotel, 
and theotheras the Plantation House. Henry's 
is situated directly back of Fort Ross, and the 
Plantation not far from Fisk's Mill. The latter 
was built in 1871. The present proprietor has 
a fine pond of trout and carp, which he is culti- 
vating successfully. 

The following exciting narrative of an en- 
counter with a cinnamon bear in Salt Point 
Township, will not be devoid of interest. The 
Petaluma Journal of May 28, 1858, says: 

" Mr. David Hopper, who resides on the 
coast, near F^ort Ross, informs us that he had a 
spirited little brush with a cinnamon bear on 
the morning of the loth inst., while out hunt- 
ing in the neighborhood of his ranch. Coming 
upon the ti-acks of a bear he set his dogs upon 



in STORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



the trail, and tbllowin!^ them np, lie soon came 
upon a tine sized cinnamon bear. Without 
fnrther introduction, he raised his rifle and 
tired. The ball striking the animal in the hind 
leg, merely broke the limb and served to arouse 
his bearship's anger. At this stag(> the dogs 
closed in. and thitddng it a favorable time for 
the use of his revolver, Mr. Hopper approache<l 
and tired his pistol, hoping to eripjile tlie bear 
by wounding liim in the loins. In tliis he 
failed, this ball also lodging in his hind leg, 
and serving but to still further ardiise the 
already infuriatetl beast. Seizing one of the 
dogs in his paws, he hurled him a distance of 
some thirty feet, and then rushed forward at the 
hunter. As the bear a])proached. Mi'. Hopper 
aimed a third shot at him, the ball this time 
grazing the jaw. The pistol now hung tire, 
and tinding that his only hope of safety lay in 
liis hatchet, he drew it from his belt, and pre- 
pared to meet his antagonist face to face, and 
hand to hand. AV^ith a terrible growl the bear 
rushed to the conflict. As he approached within 
reach, the hunter raised the hatchet, and with a 
cool and collected mind, and a steadfast eye 
upon the bear, with one powerful sweep he 
buried the blade deep into the brains of the 
beast. With a howl of jiain, he tottered and 
rolled over dead at the feet of the hunter. Mr. 
Hopper, who is an adept at 'corraling these 
varmints," he liaving killed no less than forty 
within the past twelve months, says he has had 
many exciting 'bar hunts" in liis day, but this 
last one ju;t lays over them all."" 

KNIGHT'S VALLEY TOWNSHIP- 

Situated in the eastern portion of the county, 
its eastern verge extending up the rugged sides 
of ilouiit St. Helena, lies one of the fairest of 
California's valleys, from which this township 
takes its name. It contains 3t'),S08 acres, 
assessed st^'-iBiJ.oOd, or s7 jier acre. Total assessed 
value of all property, >>385,55(). Its [)opulation 
in 1880 was 230. The tide of immigration that 
set in has caused numerous settlements to be 
made on cliemisal-c<;vered hills, which are rap- 



idly being converted into vineyards, the soil 
and climate for this purpose being excellent. 
It was named in honor of Thomas Knight, who, 
in 1833, jiiirchased a large tract of land from a 
Spaniard named Herryessa. California's staples 
— wine, W'>ol, and wli(!at — are produced in great 
abundance. Kellogg and Fossville are two 
towns along the mad leading from Calistoga to 
the (Jeysers. Both are resorts. Many cottages 
and a hotel are to be found at Kellogg. 

The earliest settler in Knight's Valley was 
William McDonald, who came there from Napa 
Coiintv in the year 1850, and was the first to 
act as guide to the geysers, vistors to the springs 
being provided with saddle horses by him. 

The scenery in Knight's Valley embraces the 
characteristic groves of oaks and other woods on 
the hills and in the hollows, which are to be 
found all over the county; walks and drives of 
rare beauty, excelling those which might be de- 
vised by man's handiwork, intersect the low- 
lying grounds and mountain slopes, while 
through its length passes one of the roads — that 
from Calistoga — leading to the far-fained gey- 
sers, the most marvelous of Sonoma's romantic 
pictures. 

While the principal industry of this township 
is wheat growing, sheep-raising and fruit cul- 
ture, yet it has mineral wealth. The Great 
Western quicksilver mine is partly situated in 
Knight's Valley Township, the workings run- 
ning under the dividing line between Sonoma 
and Lake counties. 

Any account, however meager, of KnigJit's 
Valley would be incomplete without mention 
lieing made of the flne estate of Calvin Holmes, 
a portion of the original Kancho de Malacomes. 
Here Mr. Holmes has erected a superb mansion, 
and magniflcent farm houses, arranged with 
every design to insure the care and comfort of 
his stock. Adjoining this farm is the elegant 
residence and lino ranch of George liood, of 
Santa Rosa. 

KEr.L(i(;(i. — This summer resort is situated in 
Knight's Valley, at the foot of St. Helena 
Mountain, about seven miles from Calistoga, 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



nineteen from tlie Geysers, and seventeen from 
llealdsbnrg. Tlie original building [now re- 
modeled as a hotel) was built by Berryessa and 
was constructed of adobe clay, to which he 
made additions of frame and stone; it next 
j)assed into the hands of Knight and Kockwell, 
who disposed of it to a man named Hasbrook, 
who in turn sold it with the Knight's Valley 
Ranch to one Stewart, lie incorporated it into 
the Knight's Valley Land and Contract Com- 
pany. 

FossviLLE. — This is a station between Kellogg 
and Calistoga, named after the late Clark Foss, 
then proprietor of the stage-route to the Gey- 
sers, who came here in 1871 and opened a 
hotel. 

VALLEJO TOWNSHIP. 

Noted for all kinds of agricultural and dairy 
products, fruits and vines, lies betwee Sonoma 
on the east, Petaluma and Analy on the west, 
and extending from Santa Rosa on the north to 
San Pablo Bay. It comprises 61,855 acres, 
assessed at *1,24:1,013, or |;20-| per acre. The 
entire assessed value of the property in this 
township is ^1,681,503. Its population in 1880 
was 1,471. The towns are Donahue and Lake- 
ville. It is a fertile section, well tilled. Con- 
siderable land liiirdering on San Pablo Bay is 
being reclaimed. 

This township received its name from General 
Vallejo, who owned the Petaluma Rancho, and 
constructed the famous large adobe building, a 
considerable portion of which still stands. The 
erection as originally constructed had a frontage 
of 150 feet, with walls twenty feet in height. 
At the western end projected a wing running 
south 128 feet, while on the east end was 
another, with a length of sixty-eight feet. All 
the walls wei'e two and one-half feet thick. In 
this mansion the generous General was wont to 
keep his state of almost potential splendor; his 
courts were full of Spaniards and Indians; his 
rooms were thronged witli guests, while his 
flocks fed u]ion a thousand hills. In the vicinity 
of this homestead had he erected, lonK before 



Americans came to settle in the country, a mill 
wherein he ground his grain, a smithery, wherein 
were manufactured horse-shoes, spurs, bits, and 
other military gear, while all around were evi- 
dences of his foresight and unstinting hand. 

The earliest American settler was Frederick 
Starke, who settled there in 1845. In 1852 
there came W. J. Hardin, J. M. Palmer, Uavid 
Wharff; in 1853, Abner Clark, Isaac Cook, G. 
B. Ilickston. and William Mock; in 1854, G. 
R. Codding. 

As a matter of encouragement to aspiring 
young men of the future, we mention the fact 
that Senator, and millionaire, James (t. Fair was 
once constable of Vallejo Township. 

Vallejo Township is famous for having some 
of the finest herds of imported cattle in the 
State. 

DoNAuiE. — This place used to l)e the ter- 
minus of the San Francisco ik North Pacific 
Railroad and is situated on the Petaluma Creek, 
aljout eight miles from Petaluma; the cars at 
this point connected with a steamer to San 
Francisco, which is distant twenty-tive miles. 
The town received its name from the enterpris- 
ing builder of the railroad, and here was situated 
the machine shops and other buildings of the 
company. It had a hotel and many cottages 
for the laborers. But on the changing of the 
road terminus to Tiburon, these buildings and 
machine shops were removed to that place; and 
Donahue may be classed among the things of 
the past. 

Lakevii.le. — This is a small village on the 
Petaluma Creek, about a mile above Donahue. 
During the days of steamboats and stages it had 
some importance, but its glory has departed. 
The lirst settler at Lakeville was A.M. B.-adley, 
who built the landing about the years 1852-'53. 
Bradley sold his interest to Joshua Chadbourne, 
George Carter, and Josiah Bacon, he at the 
time having only possessory rights as a squat- 
ter, there being no title from General M. (-i. 
Vallejo; this right he sold to the above-named 
parties, who, in turn, disposed thereof to Niles 
Mills and Peter Donahue. 



I 





CZ^yJ.-if^^i'ifLAjL. 



HISTORY OF SOMOMA COUNTY. 






BIOGBAPHICAL SKE 





fAMES W. EAGSDALE, Uie senior jjiojiric- 
tor of the Sonoma County Abstract liureau, 
is a native of Indiana, wiieie lie was l>orn 
forty years ago, but passed liis boyhood and 
youth in Iowa, and there entered upon liis 
career as a journalist in 18(')7, in connection 
with a local newspaper. In 1872 lie came to 
California and located in Sonoma Countv. 
During subsequent years he has been con- 
nected as an editorial writer with three ditferent 
newspapers in the county. In 1878 he and his 
brother p\irchased the Santa Rosa Repuhlh-Ku. 
which he owned and edited for a period of about 
si.\ years, tcrniinatini; liis connection with it in 
188H. to give his entire time and energy to ilc 
vcloping and perfecting the Sonoma County 
Abstract ISnreau, which, through his unflagging 
zeal and arduous, persistent labors, has become 
one ol' the most impoi'tant l)usiness enterprises 
in the county. Obtaining the exclusive fran- 
chise of the I)urfee sell'-correcting system for 
abstracting for Sonoma County, the laborious 
task ot' making a com|>lete transcript of the 
I'ecords of tiie land titles in Sonoma County was 
^entered ujion >e\t'ral yeai's ago by Mr. Rags- 
dale, who was joined some time later by Mr. 11. 
C. Blown, his present partner and joint mana- 
ger. Having entered upon the work it was of 
the utmost importance that the transcript l)e 



pushed to c(mipletioii as rapidly as possible. 
Accordingly a corps of exjiert copyists were em- 
ployed and have been constantly at work for the 
jjast six years. During this time a complete 
transcript copy has been made of 140 deed- 
books and ninety-two books of mortgages of 
640 to 'JOO pages each, besides copying the sat- 
isfactions of mortgages, releases, assignments, 
homesteads, powers of attorneys, probate rec- 
ords, attachments, tax sales, possessory titles, 
etc., making in all about (iOO large record vol- 
umes which have lieen copied verliatim. In the 
county clerk's office there are i'ecords of 7,000 
civil suits, recpiiring an average of twenty-iive 
jiages of foolscap each. There are also records 
of l,tj00 probate cases that are even more 
lengthy, which have been copied with the 
utmost care, and read and compared word bv 
word. This vast aggregate of records has cost 
iIk' iiro|>rietors years of patient toil and many 
thousand dollars in money, but they now enjoy 
the satisfaction and reward of their completed 
eftbrts, and own ajiroperty worth $30,000. The 
advantages of the Durfee system of abstracting 
cannot be overestimated, as this system is abso- 
lutely self- correcting, thus rendering a serious 
mistake impossible. I!y the old method of ab- 
stracting serious difficulties are not infretjueiitly 
met with by examiners of titles, due to mis- 



rilSTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



takes iu indexing the records, many instruments 
on record not being indexed through oversight, 
and hence are only discovered by the searcher 
by sheer accident. Again, by misspelling 
names and mistaking initial letters, errors occur 
iu indexing which are liable to be overlooked. 
"While by the Durfee system this trouble is 
avoided, because the copyist begins at page one 
and goes clear through the book leaf by leaf. 
The title of every instrument of record is posted 
similar to an account in a merchant's ledger, 
thus enabling this company to furnish an ab- 
stract in one-fifth the time required by search- 
ers generally. With each abstract a plat is 
furnished showing the exact lines and location 
of the land, making it plain and easily under- 
stood. This bureau has the most correct and 
only complete map of Sonoma County in exist- 
ence, being compiled from all the private and 
official surveys made by Government, county 
and private surveys. Bankers, money loaners 
and land-holders prefer abstracts made by the 
Durfee system, which has received the nnquali- 
tied endorsement of all who have examined it. 
The Sonoma County Abstract Bureau is situ- 
ated on Exchange avenue, in the building lately 
occupied by the Santa Rosa Bank, which is 
equipped with commodious lire-proof vanlt, and 
furnished with all the conveniences for conduct- 
ing their business. The company is incorpo- 
rated with a view not only of abstracting, but to 
do conveyancing, negotiating loans and buying 
and selling real estate. Mr. Ragsdale was 
elected to the General Assembly in November, 
1S88, running far ahead of his ticket. 

f.\MES P. GANNON.— Among the well- 
known and representative citizens of Analy 
Township and Sebastopol is the subject of 
this sketch. He was born in Brooklyn, Kings 
County, New York, April 27, 1837; his father, 
Michael Gannon, was a native of Ireland, who 
came to the United States when but ten years 
of age. His mother, Mary (Tracy) Gannon, was 



born in the same country, and when a girl came 
to the United States. Mr. Gannon's boyhood 
until twelve years of age was spent in Brooklyn, 
where he received the advantages of a good 
schooling. In 1816 his father removed to 
Hancock County, Illinois, and located on a farm, 
to which calling Mr. Gannon was reared until 
the age of eighteen years. In 1855 he came 
overland to California, arriving in September of 
that year. Soon after his arrival he engaged in 
mining in Butte County, and followed that call- 
ing until 1850 when he came to Sonoma County 
and the next year engaged to work for Mr. W. 
H. Wilson, in his hotel (Wilson's Exchange) at 
Sebastopol. He continued this work until 1860 
when he entered into partnership with his em- 
ployer, and successfully conducted the hotel 
until 1862, when he sold his interest to Mr. 
Wilson and started for the Salmon River minc!^ 
in Oregon. Arriving at John Day River, he 
stopped until the fall and then returned via 
Portland, Victoria, and San Francisco to Sebas- 
topol. The next two years he was engaged in 
farm labor, but in 1864 the Reese River mining 
excitement attracted his attention, and he left 
for that point. There he spent about ten months" 
time and 82,000. when, concluding he had 
enough of that, he returned home, and in Jan- 
uary, 1865, established a meat market in Sebasto- 
pol. In June of that year Mr. Gannon was united 
in marriage with Sarah Ellen Sebring, daughter 
of Thomas and Margaret (Piper) Sebring. Mr. 
Sebring came with his family to Sonoma County 
in 1853, he being a native of Pennsylvania and 
his wife of New York. Mrs. Gannon was born 
in Illinois, where her parents resided before 
coming to Sonoma County. In 1866 IMr. Gan- 
non sold out his market, and was engaged as a 
salesman by Newburgh tt Zielcke of Sebastopol 
until 1868. In this latter year he purchased 
160 acres of land in the Lagiuia School Dis- 
trict just north of Sebastopol, and commenced' 
its improvement and cultivation. Since that 
1 time he has devoted his attention principally to 
j agricultural pursuits, conducting general farm- 
ing operations, raising hay, grain, and stock. 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



311 



Mr. Ganiioii liai< always been noted as a public- 
spirited and progressive citizeti, one who lias 
gained and held the respect of the coniinunity 
in which he resides. J'olitically he is a strong 
and consistent llepublican, taking a deep inter- 
est in the success of his party. In 1882 he was 
elected supervisor of his district and served 
with credit until the expiration of his term, lie 
has also been a school trustee in the Laguna 
District for ten years. He is a member of 
Lafayette Lodge JVo. 1215, F. & A. M., of Sebas- 
topol, and also a member of Sebasto[)ol Lodge, 
No. 167, 1. O. G. T. Mr. and Mrs. Gannon 
have but one child, James Edwin, born January 
25, 186'J, who resides with his parents. 

'^■'^^<-l^ 

mEAVIS M. ALEXANDER, cashier and 
'Mrjl active manager of the Santa Rosa National 
■^^ Rank. This bank though not old in years 
is one of the city's most substantial and pros- 
perous business institutions. This is the only 
National Bank in Santa Rosa, and the youngest 
bank in the city. It opened its doors for busi- 
ness the first of February, 1887, with a paid up 
capital of 5^100,000 and authorized capital of 
.s500,0U0. The first otiicers were E. W. Davis, 
President; J. II. Brush, A'ice-President; Lewis 
M. Alexander, Cashier. The present otticers 
are S. R. Cooper, President; A. B. Ware, Vice- 
President, and L. M. Alexander, Cashier. The 
business of the bank grew so rapidly that it was 
soon found necessary to increase its cajjital stock 
to 1^150,000. Being a national bank its transac- 
tions are purely of a commercial nature, and so 
marked has been its career of prosperity that it 
has paid four per cent, semi-annual divi- 
dends on its stock since January 1. 1888. Its 
deposits are !t>25(l,00O, and its loans exceed 
that sum. This bank has correspondents in 
San Francisco, Chicago, and New York, and 
draws direct upon all the principal cities of 
Europe. Lewis M. Alexander was born thirty 
years ago in Mitcliell County, Iowa, where he 
was educated and had an experience of eight 



years in a banking house in Usage City. Resign- 
ing his position there he came to California, and 
engaged in general merchandising in Ilealds- 
burg, Sonoma County, nearly three years. But 
not fancying that line of business, he sold out, 
and upon the organization of the bank, accepted 
the position he now fills. Mr. Alexander pos- 
sesses considerable interest in real estate, and 
was one of the promoters of the new South Side 
Street Railway Company in which he is a stock- 
holder and a director of the company. Mr. 
Alexander's father, Henry Alexander, moved 
from Illinois, his native State, and settled in 
Mitchell County, Iowa, in 1850, where he re- 
sided until 1881, then came to California and 
located in Healdsburg, Sonoma County, where 
he now lives a retired life. Of his large family 
of seven sons and three daughters, Lewis M. is 
the fourth in age. The three eldest arc settled 
in Iowa and all the others are in California. 
Lewis M. Alexander married the eldest daughter 
of J. II. Brush, who died of consumption a few 
months after her marriage. 



fR. ELISIIA ELY, of Healdsburg, is the 
oldest resident practicing jdiysician in 
Sonoma County. He is a native of New 
York City, born December 25, 1819, his parents 
being Elisha, Sr., and Elouise (Curtiss) Ely. On 
his father's side he is of English origin, the 
family tracing their ancestry back to the Saxons 
of the sixth century. The family seat, the town 
of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, has 8,000 inhabi- 
tants. Richard Ely, the founder of the family 
in this country, settled in the vicinity of Lyme, 
Connecticut, in 1060, and about this place his 
descendants still center, the town being estab- 
lished by representatives of the family. David 
Ely, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, 
was a doctor of divinity of the Presbyterian 
faith, his views being of the liberal Calvinistic 
order. He was an officer of Yale College. Dur- 
ing the Revolutionary war he took an active 
part on the patriot side, and served with the 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTT. 



army as Chaplain. Elisha Ely, Sr., father of 
our subject, was born and reared in Fairiield 
County, Connecticut, and was educated at Yale 
College, of which institution he was a graduate, 
lie undertook the study of theology, but 
although he progressed so far as to graduate 
from a religious college, he did not cling to the 
pulpit, but going to New York, entered upon a 
life of trade, and became a successful merchant 
of the American metropolis. Dr. Elisha Ely 
received his school training in Fairfield County, 
Connecticut, and in New York City. At an 
early age he entered upon a business career as a 
bank clerk, but finding such a life distasteful, 
commenced the study of medicine at Roches- 
ter, New Y''ork, his preceptor being Dr. William 
"W. Ely, a iirst cousin. He attended lectures at 
the medical department of the College of 
Geneva, New York, at Buffalo Medical College, 
and at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, 
New York City, graduating from the latter in 
1847. He had commenced practice in the line 
of his studies while at Rochester, and after 
graduating he practiced his profession there 
until December, 1848, when he turned his steps 
toward the golden shores of the Occident, taking 
the steamer Crescent City as far as Chagres. 
Delays caused him to spend forty days on the 
Isthmus. At Panama the Oregon was taken, 
and this vessel took him through the Golden 
Gate on the first of April, 1849. He at once 
settled himself for practice in San Francisco, 
which then consisted of two frame buildings, 
one brick structure just finished, and less than 
half a dozen old adobes, and the inhabitants of 
the infant city not fortunate enough to possess 
such substantial houses camping about in tents. 
Until November, 184U, he practiced in San 
J"'rancisco, and for a month or two he knew of 
but one other physician actively engaged there. 
In the month mentioned he set out for Sonoma 
County in a little sail-boat, but owing to inauspi- 
cious weather he was delayed in Sonoma until De- 
cember, and he then vvent back to San Francisco. 
A cataract, which had formed oti his right eye, 
gave him much trouble and interfered with his 



surgical labors to such an extent that he decided 
to cast about for land to fall back upon, in case 
his worst fears slKuild be realized. He then 
came to Sonoma County and jnirchased a tract 
of land about one mile from the present town 
of Sonoma. After completing his purchase, he 
went back to San Francisco, going down the 
bay in a small skiff. AVhile on the water the 
smell of smoke became distinctly noticeable, and 
on arriving at the wharf he found that San F'ran- 
cisco had been blotted out by lire. This de- 
cided his immediate return to Sonoma County, 
and he opened an office at the town of Sonoma. 
In the fall of 1851 he removed to what is now 
known as Geyserville, and there resided until 
1873, when, in order to secure better educa- 
tional facilities for his children, he removed his 
residence to Ilealdsburg. This city has since 
been his home. Dr. Ely was married at Buf- 
falo, New Y'ork, in August, 1848, to Miss 
Asenath Narcissa Campbell, a native of Roches- 
ter, New Y'ork, reared there, but whose jwrents 
afterward removed to Buffalo. Her father had 
been extensively engaged in the milling busi- 
ness at Rochester. Dr. and Mrs. Ely were the 
parents of four children of whom two sons died 
in childhood, while two daughters (twins) grew 
to womanhood. Their names are: Louisa Maria, 
wife of Benjamin Fowler (residents of San 
Bernardino); and Mary Campbell, who w-ere 
born in July, 1856, Mary C. dying in Septem- 
ber, 1873. Dr. Ely has had a varied experience 
in Sonoma County since those days back in the 
forties, and has been an eye-witness and partici- 
pant in most of the stirring scenes in the 
county's history. He has practiced in Sonoma 
County when there was no other physician in 
its borders, and his professional labors have 
called him to rides of many miles, over untrav- 
eled roads, Indian trails and bear and deer paths, 
while his professional duties often entailed 
visits to the counties of Marin, Napa, Lake and 
Mendocino, as well as the county of his home. 
On one of his trips to Sonoma, while a resident 
of Geyserville, he was compelled to swim nearly 
half the distance of tifty miles, by the Hooded 



in STORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



condition of the country, and the ronnd trip re- 
qnired three days of tiinc. Like most of the 
pioneers lie was a good shot, and in the early 
days would as soon think of goiug on a profes- 
sional trip without his medicine case as without 
arms. The Doctor was a Whig in early life, 
and followed the fortunes of that party until its 
disintegration, since which time he has been 
identified with the Republican party. lie is 
still in active practice of his profession. 

fAAFES AUSTIN, who ranks among the 
leading agriculturists and viticulturists of 
Santa liosa Township, has a large ranch in 
Ilincon Valley and the adjoining foot-hills, four 
miles east of Santa Rosa; it is counted among 
the finest properties in that part of the county. 
Mr. Austin came to the county in 1871, and 
laid the foundation of his present prosperity by 
buying of (ieneral John H. Frisbee a one-fourth 
interest in 1,178 acres of land where he now 
lives. Later he ac.piired a titl« to the whole. 
To the original estate Mr. Austin has added 
(|uite largely, and, subdividing, has sold from it 
eight small farms, which, having been converted 
into orchards and vineyards, have added materi- 
ally to the interests of the iieighborliood. The 
ranch is bounded on the south and east by the 
Santa Rosa and Alamos creeks, and now consists 
of 1,077 acres; 125 acres are in vineyards, the 
remainder of the jjroperty being devoted to 
grazing, general farming and stock-raising. In 
the beautiful and picturesque Rincon Valley no 
more delightful Imme can be found than the 
Austin family home. Witli the parents live 
their four sons, the eldest now thirty-four years 
of age and the youngest fourteen years. Having 
said this much of Mr. Austin's interests in So- 
noma County, we give in the following facts a 
brief review of his former life. He was born 
in the Province of Quebec, Canada, December 
2, 1824. After attending the common schools, 
lie was sent, at the nge of nineteen, to the Derby 
Center Academy, in the State of Vermont. His 



studious habits and manly conduct won the es- 
teem and approbation of his teachers and fellow- 
students, and at the expiration of the second 
term he accepted an o]iportunity to teach. After 
teaching one term, he was enabled to enter the 
Sheffield Academy in Canada. Here he studied 
diligently for two terms, and then entered the 
St. Hyacinth College. The following winter he 
taught again, but resumed his studies in the 
college at the end of one term. His next step 
was to teach the English branches at Reloeil 
College, where he studied the Franch language. 
In 1848 he returned to his father's home, and 
on TSIay 22, 1849, inarried Anna, daughter of 
Osgood Peasley. This lady was born in the Pro- 
vince of Quebec January 0, 1828. Mr. Austin 
was elected mayor of the township of Bolton in 
1858, which office he held until his removal to 
the United States in IStiS. During the latter 
terms of his office he was appointed warden of 
the board of mayors. It will be well here to 
explain that the office of township mayors in 
Canada is similar to the board of supervisors 
in our counties, and the warden is the chairman 
or president of the l)oard. The office of mayor 
clothed him with the dignity and power of a 
magistrate; but as he was regularly appointed 
to the office by the Crown, he became, therefore, 
one of the "Crown's Magistrates." For ten 
years he was one of the board of directors of 
the Stanstead, ShefFord & Chambly Railroad, 
holding the position as an ex-officio officer. He 
was twice nominated by the Liberal party, which 
was largely in the minority, for the provincial 
parliament of Canada, and at the first election 
received an almost unanimous vote in his own 
township. The entire number of votes in his 
own township was a little less than 800. and all 
but thirty were cast in favor of Mr. Austin, and 
he was beaten in the county by only eighty 
votes. He emigrated to the United States in 
18t)8 and settled in American Canon, (ireen 
Vallej' Township, Solano County, this State. 
He remained three years when he removed to 
Santa Rosa and has since occupied his jirosent 
home. The names of the children ol' Mr. ami 



314 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Mrs. Austin, in order of their birth are: Ly- 
man r., born October 22, 1850, died July 10, 
187(3; Howard J., born September 3, 1852, died 
April 13, 1884; Herbert W., born August 21, 
1854; Osgood E., born March 25, 185(), died 
January 14, 1861; Florence Anna, born June 
7, 1860, died January 24, 1861; Malcom O., 
born July 25, 1863; Sewell S., born May 21, 
1865, and Ashlon E., born June 29, 1874. 



fHOMAS G. WILTON.— The subject of 
this sketch is the most prominent mer- 
cliant in Sebastopol, and has the most 
complete general merchandise store in that sec- 
tion of the county. His stock comprises a com- 
plete assortment of dry goods, groceries, hard- 
ware, crockery, clothing, boots and shoes, patent 
medicines, etc. It is complete in all its ap- 
pointments, and is a credit to the town and its 
proprietor. 

Mr. Wilton dates his birth in Plattsburg, 
New York, April 23, 1832. His lather, M. 
James Wilton, was a native of Kent County, 
Eno-land, who came to the United States when 
a youth. His mother, Hulda (Chamberlain) 
Wilton, was born in Vermont. Mr. Wilton 
was reared in Plattsburg, where he received a 
good education and in his young manhood Mas 
brought up to mercant.le pursuits. He was for 
a lono- time a clerk in the mercantile house of 
Harvey Hewett, of Plattsburg. In March, 
1854, he started for California, coming via the 
isthmus route. lie landed in San Francisco in 
April, and immediately left for the mines of 
Placerville, where he engaged in mining until 
l>iti6. In that year he came to Sonoma County 
and located at Freestone, where he was engaged 
as a clerk until 1867. lie then came to Sebas- 
topol and was employed in the hotel until 1870. 
At that time he established a wholesale and re- 
tail liquor store, which he conducted six years, 
when he entered into partnersliij) with G. W. 
Andrews, and established the store he now 
owns. This partnership e.xisted until the death 



of Mr. Andrews, which occurred June 23, 1888. 
Since that time Mr. Wilton has been the sole 
proprietor. In 1881 a disastrous fire occurred 
in Sebastopol and completely de8tro3'ed Mr. 
Wilton's store and contents, but nothing daunted, 
he and his partner started again, and their en- 
terprise was appreciated, as their strong support 
and custom from the community attests. Mr. 
Wilton is the owner of considerable real estate 
in Sel>astopol. among which is the store he oc- 
cupies and two houses and lots. Politically he 
is a strong and consistent itepublican, and 
though never seeking office, his intluence is felt 
in the ranks of the party, and always for what 
he considers to be for the best interests of the 
majority. Mr. Wilton is a memlier of the fol- 
lowing Masonic orders: Lafayette Lodge, No. 
126, F. (.% A. M., of Sebastopol (six years a 
Past Master); Chapter, No. 45, Eoyal Arch 
Masons of Santa Rosa; Santa Rosa Command- 
ery, No. 14, Knights Templar (of which he is 
Commander); Islam Temple, Ancient Arabic 
Order of Nobies of the Mystic Shrine, Oasis of 
San Francisco. He is also a member of the 
following lodges : Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows; Evergreen Lodge, No. 161, Sebasto- 
pol; Rebecca Degree Lodge, No. 44, Sebastopol; 
Relief Encainjiment. No. 29, Petaluma. 

(s ' * * a' 

ILLIAM R. AVELLS, A. M., M. D., 
was born September 20, 1813, in North 
Stouington, Connecticut. His father, 
Thomas T. Wells, also a native of that State, 
was an old practicing physician of North Ston- 
ington, and was an intimate friend and fellow- 
student of George McClellan, founder of the 
Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, and 
father of the late George B. McClellan. Thomas 
T. Wells moved Irom North Stonington to New 
I'edford, Massachusetts, in 1827 or 1828, from 
there to Fall' River, thence to Troy, New York, 
and finally back to North Stonington, where he 
died in 1S42. He married Desire Wheeler 
Randall, daughter of Judge William Randall 



BTSTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



315 



ofStonington, Connecticut. She died about 1878 
at tlie age of eiglity years. They Iiad two sons, 
Amos (t. Wells, a former resident of New York, 
and the subject of this sketch. William R. 
Wells was prepared for college at the age of 
twelve, under an able tutor, although he did not 
take a collegiate course. At the age of sixteen 
he commenced the study of medicine, his father 
being his preceptor, with whom he remained 
until the fall of 1830. He then went to Boston 
and entered the medical department of Harvard 
University, and graduated at this institution 
February 12, 1834, when he was nearly twenty- 
one years old. There was a large number of 
medical students in his class, among them being 
Oliver Wendell Holmes. This was at the time 
cholera prevailed so furiously in Boston, which 
gave the college plenty of subjects for dissection. 
After graduating Dr. Wells went to Newport, 
Rhode Island, and practiced medicine there one 
year. During his residence there he had the 
degree of master of arts conferred upon him by 
the Columbian College of the District of Colum- 
bia, He then moved to New Bedford and took 
up the practice his father left, his father having 
moved to Fall River. In 1841, his health fail- 
ing liim, he took a trip around Cape Horn to 
Tahite, one of the Society Islands, and took 
charge of the United States Hospital, situated 
there. He returned to New Bedford in 1843, 
and found that during his absence from home 
his father and one of his own children had 
died. He practiced in Middleboro, Massachu- 
setts, until 184!t, when he came to California. 
This was his third triji around Cape Horn, and 
this time he brought with him his wife and 
family. lie landed at San Francisco April 28, 
1850, after a long journey of five months. Re- 
maining in San Francisco only a short time, 
he went to San llafael and located in that town- 
shij), where he purchased a tract of land known 
as part of the Murphy grant, which was sup- 
|)osed to be three miles long and one mile 
wide. During his residence in San Rafael he 
was elected justice of the peace and county cor- 
oner, in 185t) he siild his pr.)|pfrty tn .\i I>:ir- 



ney and came to Petaluma, where he has since 
resided. Dr. Wells is the oldest resident physi- 
cian in the city, and has l)een in the active prac- 
tice of medicine during the most of the time. 
He is even now, at the age of seventy-five, hale 
and hearty and seemingly in the full vigor of 
manhood. In 1870 he made a trip East and 
was gone two months, and in May of the next 
year he made another visit to the Eastern coast 
with his family, returning in November. His 
marriage occurred on the 20th day of Septem- 
ber, 1838. His wife was formerly Ruzilia 
Coombs, a native of New Bedford, Massachu- 
setts. They have three daughters living, and 
have lost two sons and three daughters. 

^fOHN A. BARHAM, attorney at law, has 
"Ml passed all the years of his adult life in the 
^^ Golden State, his parents having come 
from Missouri to California in his boj'hood, and 
settled on what was known as the Sutter tract 
on Bear River in 1849. His father, John Bar- 
ham, was a farmer and stock-grower, and was 
quite successful; but being a man of generous 
and sympathetic nature he yielded to the im- 
portunities of neighbors and professed friends to 
assist them by becoming surety on paper, and 
thus suffered heavy losses, and died — while the 
subject of this sketch was pursuing his law 
studies — a poor man. So that the son was not 
only obliged to support himself, but to provide 
for his widowed mother, which he did largely 
by teaching school for a period of several years. 
He studied for his profession witii the law tirm 
of Temple & Thomas, in Santa Rosa, and was 
admitted to the l)ar of the Supreme (!ourt of 
California in 1868, The same year Mr. Barham 
opened a law office in Santa Cruz, where he 
soon acquired a fine law practice, whicii con- 
tinued until he left there in 187t) to settle in 
San Francisco, where greater opportunities were 
offered to a rising young lawyer. His anticipa- 
tions were almost at once rcali/.i'il in a large 
l('i;al liusincss, wliicli steadily grew during the 



HI STORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



eiglit years of his professional life in the me- 
tropolis. Hut the cool hninid winds from ^the 
ocean proved too trjino; upon liis throat and 
Inn^s, and he was compelled to seek a milder 
climate. After visiting various parts of the 
State, including J.os Angeles, he chose Santa 
Kosa as preferable to any other locality, and 
came liere in 1884, much broken in health and 
witii tiie expectation of permanently retiring 
from the practice of his profession. He bought 
a tract of fine land immediately south of the 
city, on which he erected a nice residence, be- 
gan to plant out choice varieties of fruit trees 
and vines, and otiierwise improve and beautify 
it. The same year he settled here he was 
strongly urgetl to accept the nomination for 
Superior Judge on the Republican ticket to 
which lie reluctantly consented, ami tluiugh 
running against a very able and po])ular man - 
.Judge Jackson Temple, imw on the Supreme 
Bench — and opposing a Democratic majorit3' of 
more than 500 in the county, Mr. IJarham came 
within seventy \otes of being elected. After 
spending a year and a iialf on his fruit farm, 
during wliich time he thoroughly recovered his 
health, Mr. Barham was induced to sell it by 
tlie offer of an extraordinary price, moved into 
Santa Rosa and resumed tiie practice of law, 
whicli he still continues. His practice has run 
cliieHy in the line of mercantile and corporation 
law. Judge liarliani, as he is familiai-ly called, 
is local counsel for the Southern I'acilic Rail- 
road Company, is attorney foi- the Santa Rosa 
Street Car Company, the Santa Rosa liank, the 
Bank of Healdsl)urg, and the Bank of Clover- 
dale. Mr. Barham married in Sonoma County 
Miss Cook. They have five children. 



TM'^^i^'ABAS HASKELL, deceased, was a 
' \ native of East Hartford, Connecticut. His 
"^n^ father was a seaman engaged in the mer- 
chant trade, from Hartford down the coast as far 
as New Orleans. The wife of f)ur subject was 
Abigail Goodwin, also a native of East Hartford, 



and her father, Joseph Goodwin, was one of tlie 
old Ruritan settlers in East Hartford, prior to 
the Revolutionary war. After his marriage, 
Barnabas Haskell moved to (Jalveston, Texas, 
where he lived for several years and afterward 
moved to New York. He was a hatter and 
furrier by trade, and there engaged with Tiffany, 
the leading hatter at that time in that city. In 
1847 he moved to I'.oston where he lived about 
five years, and from there came to (!alifornia, via 
Texas, across the plains. Two years later his 
wife followed, and after teaching in Benicia she 
removed to Petal uma, where she was engagetl 
for ten years as principal of the public schools 
of this city. Site always took an active interest 
in everything pertaining to the education of 
the young, and was prominently identified with 
the " AVoman"s Suffrage" movement in (Califor- 
nia. Her death occurreil in 1884. Mr. Has- 
kell, in 185(1, opened a dry goods and clothing 
house in Petalnma, which he ct)nducted until 
1878, during which time he was engaged in 
active business. He then continued his resi- 
dence in Petalnma until his death which occurred 
in January, 1887. 



fOHX CONNER, liveryman of llealdsburg, 
is a native of Indiana, born in INHami 
County, Decendter 8, 184(5, his parents 
being AVilliaTu and Amelia ((Uieney) (!onner, 
the former of \'ii-ginia ancestry and a native of 
Bartholomew County, Indiana, and the latter a 
native of Kentucky. William Conner went to 
northern Indiana in 1827 and cut the first road 
between Peru and JjOgansport. Tiie subject of 
this sketch was reared to manhood in his native 
county and there received his schooling. At an 
early age he engaged in the stock business with 
a brother, and in 1868 went to Labette County, 
Kansas, where he engaged in merchandising. 
After five years in jnercantile life there he em- 
barked in the livery business. In 1874 he came 
to California, locating in Napa County, there 
becoming connected with the stage company. 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



He engaged in the livery business in Calistoga 
and so continued until 1881, when he came to 
Healdsburif. Mr. (^>nnor has been twice mar- 
ried, lie was first married, in Kansas, to Miss 
Jerusha I'allwine, a native (jf Licking Oounty, 
Ohio. l>y this marriage there were four children, 
viz: Walter E., Daniel R., Alice (1., and Jessie 
E. Mrs. (Jonnerdied at Ilealdsburg in 1883. Mr. 
Conner's present wife was formerly Miss Nelly 
Emerson, a native of Ilealdsburg. Mr. Conner 
is a member of the Ilealdsburg Lodge, Knights 
of Pythias, in which he lias filled all the chairs, 
and in 1885 was District Deputy. Politically, 
lie is a Itepublican. He has established a fine 
business and his yotoj'ome stables are well 
known for the excellence of their turn-outs, 
every kind of a vehicle from a trotting sulkey 
to a band wagon, being kept for the accom- 
modation of the trade. From twelve to fifteen 
horses are constantly employed. The Sotoyome 
stables are complete in every a])p(iintment. 



fLEASANT WELLS, proprietor of the 
" Vineland Ranch," at the head of Rincon 
Valley, has been a resident of Sonoma 
County since 1867, and it is no disparagement 
to others to say that no man in the county has 
done more to illustrate its possibilities in grow- 
ing a wine grape not excelled, if equalled, by 
the product of any county in this favored land. 
His life in Sonoma County is the history of 
Vineland Ranch. From small beginnings 
great results have been accomplished. The 
ranch, in view of the quality of its product, is 
considered the finest in Sonoma Count}', though 
not the largest; it has 158 acres in bearing, and 
fifty acres will be added in the near future. A 
visitor to the ranch, after passing northward on 
a roatl skirting Rincon Heights, through the 
lieautiful Rincon Valley, will find his road turn- 
ing abruptly to the left, when ascending the 
hills nearly to their crown a scene is revealed 
of greit beauty, which, if unprepared, surprises 
him. At the thresliuld of the estate he will 



find the modest cottage home of Mr. Wells and 
his famil}', well shaded and surrounded by 
grounds of great natural beauty. To the west- 
ward aiul south the vineyard stretches, now 
climbing elevations and again sinking from 
view only to appear again. In its spi-ead over 
hill and vale it presents to the lover of the 
beautiful in nature, adorned by the ai't of man, 
a most pleasing picture, and one not easy to 
forget. From many a point landscape views 
. equal to many that have been immortalized on 
canvas could be obtained. Having said this 
much of Mr. Wells' present interests, it is well 
that a review of his past life should I)e given. 
Wegi\ebriefly the following facts: He was born 
in Grayson County, Kentucky, son of Samuel I). 
and Matilda (Brunkj Wells, February 14, 1834. 
In 1846, he then being twelve years of age, the 
family removed to Davis County, Iowa, a 
county then passing through the first stages of 
its pioneer history; there a life of industry, 
spent in farm labor, was his until the spring of 
1853,. when, leaving the old home where his 
parents still live, Mr. AVells, filled with the 
spirit of adventure and a courage not common 
to a youth of nineteen years, joined a party of 
emigrants and made the overland trip to this 
State, reaching Placerville August 1 of that 
year. Of his life the next fourteen years we 
have not the space to speak in detail. Suffice 
it to say it was spent in hard, laborious toil, in 
the mining districts, principally in Nevada 
County. The fleeting goddess of wealth, though 
often thought to be in sight, proved on close 
contact to be only a phantom; finally the pur- 
suit was abandoned, and Mr. Wells, as stated, 
came to this county in 1867. not only poor in 
all but that which always makes a man rich, — 
spirit, energy and a determination to succeed, — 
but $500 in debt. Soon afterward he began the 
development of his present magnificent prop- 
erty. At first he was oldiged to earn his bread 
at other employment. Some years passed be- 
t'oi-e he could establish auil maintain his home 
\i|i'iii the property. The buihling up of the 
\iucv,inl \\:is a slow, steady i^i'owlli ; the idcl- 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTT. 



est portions are twenty years of age, the young- 
est live years, but never looking backward the 
result has been satisfactory and remunerative. 
The peculiarly good quality of one product of 
his vineyard owing to its elevation and soil con- 
stituents, has enabled Mr. Wells to command a 
price fully fifty per cent in advance of the 
average. April 14, 1867, Mr. Wells was uniteil 
in marriage with Miss Maria Ann Bish, a na- 
tive of Ohio, but reared in Davis County, Iowa. 
Their five cbililren, Olive, May, Edward, How- 
ard and Ida, are all as yet under the parental 
roof, e.xcept May, who is the wife of Cliarles 
Norris, and resides in Rincon Valley. In ])olit- 
ical action, Mr. Wells, since the first election of 
Abraham Lincoln, has been a liepublican, and 
firm in upholding the principles of that party. 
Believing that knowledge is power, and that 
education is the one thing that no adversity can 
rob his cliildren of, he has been much interested 
in promoting efficiency in our public schools, 
and many years served "Wallace" scliool 
district as trustee. 

^. : j^fe^U 



fB. BERRY. — Among those grand old 
pioneers who braved the dangers of the 
® long and tedious journey across the 
plains, who endured the hardships of a frontier 
life in (California, ami who still live to enjoy the 
fruits of a well spent life, no one is more deserv- 
ing of a place in this history tiian lie whose name 
heads this sketch. A brief outline of Mr. 
Berry's life is as follows: He was born in Frank- 
lin County, Tennessee, October 25, \H(M. his 
parents lieing Samuel and .\nnie Berry, l)oth 
natives of Washington County, ^'irgini;l. lie 
was reared to farm life, receiving such an ed- 
ucatioii as the schools of that date .-ittbrdt'il. 
When eighteen years of age his parents moved 
to Sangamon County, Illinois. He remained a 
member of his father's family until tlie age 
of twenty-one years, and then commenced work 
as a carpenter and joiner under W. G. Jeter, 
and continueil that occupation until 1831. In 



this year the Indians became troublesome and 
warlike in the north western portion of Illinois, 
and in response to the (Tovernor's call for volun- 
teers, he entered the military service of the 
State. He served until the end of the campaign 
under (xeneral Joseph Duncan, after which he 
returned home and resumed his calling as a 
carpenter. In 1882 he again entered the State 
military service and served in the Black Hawk 
war. In this war he was Sergeant- Major of 
Colonel Collins' regiment, under the command 
of Brigadier-General James i). Henry. At tlie 
close of the war he returned home, and on the 
2d day of October, 1832, married Miss Eliza- 
beth P. Camron, daughter of John M. and Mary 
(Orendorff) Camron. Her father was a native 
of Georgia, who emigrated to Kentucky, where 
he married and in 1821 moved to Sangamon 
County, Illinois. After his marriage Mr. Beri-y 
settled on a farm afiout two miles northwest of 
Petersburg, now the county seat of JMenard 
County, Illinois, where he remained until 183-1. 
In that year he moved to I'ulton County, Illi- 
nois, and located on a farm near what is now the 
town of Barnadotte. In 1836 he was elected a 
justice of the peace and served in tliat capacity 
at f>arnadotte for the next eight years. In the 
fall of 18-15 he moved to Iowa and settle<l at 
Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, where he estab- 
lished a general merchandise store. He con- 
tinued this occupation until 1848, when he sold 
out and entered a tract of land upon which he 
took uj) his residence and followed the occupa- 
tion of a farmer imtil 1850. He tlien rented 
his farm and returned to Oskaloosa where he 
resided until 1852. April 27 of that year he 
started overland for California. C^rossing tlie 
plains with o\ teams he arrived in Sacramento 
September 9 of the same year, and ten days 
later he located in Sonoma County, where he 
leased a small farm from Jasper < J" Parrel I, situ- 
ated in Analy Townshiji about five miles west 
of Sebastopol. This farm he afterward pur- 
chased. There he built a store and engaged in 
a general merchandise business. This enter- 
prise he conducted until 1856, when he sold out. 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



310 



In 1856 he was elected a member of the Board 
of Supervisors of Sonoma County. In 1859 
he sold his farm and moved to Marion County, 
where he engaged in farming and dairy busi- 
ness In 1859 he was elected justice of the 
peace and served as such for two years. In 
1801 he sold out his interests in Marin County 
ant! returned to Sonoma County. Upon his re- 
turn he purchased a farm near Sebastopol and 
engaged in farm operations. The next year, 
1862, he was elected j ustice of the peace for 
Sebastopol, an office he held for two years. In 
1866-' 7 Mr. lierry assessed the western portion 
of Sonoma (^ount}'. In 1869 he purchased 
property in Sebastopol, erected stables and en- 
gaged in the livery business, and in 1870 sold a 
half interest to his son, John II. In 1872 
ills son, Samuel B. Berry, bought out his 
brother's interest and entered into the partner- 
ship, and they conducted the business until 
1881, when a disastrous fire occurred which dis- 
troyed their stable, horses, carriages, two dwell- 
ing houses, office books and papers, etc., in fact 
about all he possessed, with no insurance. In 
1870 Mr. Berry was again elected justice of the 
peace, and was successively re-elected and held 
that office for the next eighteen years, until 
January, 1889. Mr. Berry has served as justice 
of the peace in theditferentcommunities in which 
he has lived for thirty years, or more than one- 
third of his life of over four score years. Twenty 
years of this service has been in Sonoma County. 
During his long residence in this county he has 
gained and held the respect and esteem of the 
community, and has always been regarded as an 
honest, upright and impartial arbitrator of all 
matters that come before him in liis dtlicial 
capacit}'. He has ever been one of the strong- 
est supporters of schools and chui'ches, and in 
fact all enterprises that tended to promote the 
welfare, morals aiul best interests of the com- 
munity in which he resides. He is a consistent 
member of the Presl)vterian church, and a 
member of tlie Sebastopol Lodge of Good 
TfMiiplai's, also a member of Evergreen Lodge, 
Nu, 161. I. O. (). K., of Sebastopol. Mr. Berry 



is noM' (1888) over eighty years of age and still 
in possession of all his mental faculties, with a 
mind stored with the interesting reminiscences 
of a long and useful life. He has retired frtun 
the active pursuits of life and now engages his 
attention and time in the care and cultivation 
of a small fruit orchard and vineyard surround- 
ing his cottage home in Sebastopol. Mr. and 
Mrs. Berry are the parents of the following 
named children: John H., who married Miss 
Minerva Lindsey, and is now residing in Jack- 
son County, Oregon; William P., who married 
Miss Emma Menifee, living in Sebastopol; 
Lamira married W. G. Cannon and is living in 
Lake County; Samuel B. (whose sketch appears 
in this volume); Letitia M., who married Charles 
M. Young, living in Lake County; Charles S. 
married Elizabeth Ilerrington, now residing in 
San Benito County, and Eva, who married .lacob 
S. Scndder, living in Sel)astopol. 



tS A. AC DE TURK, proprietor of the Santa Kosa 
Winery, is one of the oldest resident citizens 
of the place, having come here in the winter 
of 1858-"9, from Morgan County, Indiana. He 
was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, from 
which place his parents moved and settled in 
Indiana when he was four years of age. Tiie 
first business in which Mr. De Turk engaged in 
Sonoma County was the cultivation of grapes 
and wine making, in 1862, in which year he 
planted a vineyard of twenty acres in lien net 
Valley, six miles east of Santa Ivosa, and in tui- 
Jowing yeai-s increased it to fifty ;u-res. This 
vineyanl, whicji was cdniposeil <if Mission and 
Zinfandei \ ines in about eijuai ipiantity, yielded 
froni 800 to 850 tons of grapes per season. In 
1885 Mr. De Turk sold this vineyard and j.ur- 
chased 1.200 acres of land in Los (iuilicos \'alhn\ 
on which he has 100 acres of bearing vineyard 
of choice varieties, and purposes to enlarge it to 
double that acreage. In 1867 he built a wine 
cellar in Bennett \' alley, which lie subseipientU 
enlarged to 100,000 gallons eapai'iiy Ijefore sell- 



Ill STORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, 



iiiiC it with the vineyard. In 1878 he erected 
the tirst buihlings of liis Santa Rosa Winery, 
Mild niaiinfactnreil that season 100,000 gallons 
of wines. The prodnct has been increased from 
vear to year until he now makes 300,000 to 
400,000 gallons of wine and 15,000 gallons of 
grape bi'andy per season, consuming 8,()00 to 
4-,800 tons of grapes annually. With the in- 
crease of business the wine cellar has been 
enlarged until il now comprises an area of 
52,500 square feet on each of its two floors, 
and has .<i storage capacity of 1,000,000 gallons, 
being the second largest in the State. The 
buildings are of brick and of the most substan- 
tial (luality, situated in the west end of the city, 
on the Santa Fe iV- Northern Pacific Railmad. 
Mr. De Turk makes a specialty of manufactnr- 
ino- clarets, riesling, sherry and port wines, and 
grape brandy. Resides the product of his own 
vines, he has bought as many as 3.000 ton> of 
grapes a year for this jnirpoM'. He has 
^400,000 invested in tlie business. Mr. De 
Turk has been the State Viticultural C'oiniiiis- 
sioner for tiie Sonoma District — embracing So- 
noma and all tiie counties north of it — ever 
since the oftice was created. He has been 
identified from their inception with the Sonoma 
County Agricultural Association, the Stock 
Breeders" Association, and is a director in both. 
lie is also a member of the Athenaeum 
Company. Mr. De Turk is unmarried and is a 
typical California bachelor. His father died a 
few years ago in Indiana, at the ripe age of 
ninety-five years. The only relative he has in 
this State is William S. De Turk, of Petalnmn, 
a brother's son. 

— r^€^nli)%-# — 



:ILL1.\M r.. il.VSKKLL, a prominent 
and active member of the Sonoma 
Conntj' bar, was born in New York 
(Mty, October 10, 1842, son of P.arnabas Has- 
kell, a sketch of whom appears in this work. 
He was live years of age when his parents 
moved to Roston. and upon their leaving for 



California, he remained in Roston, attendino- 
the public schools of that city. After finishing 
the course of study in the Phillips grammar 
school he went to Urbana, Ohio, and entered 
the ITrbana University, where he remained two 
years and then came to this State, via Panama, 
arriving in Petaluma September 1, 185S. He 
then attended the public school in Petaluma for 
three years when, finding it necessary to start 
out ill the world, he obtained employment at 
the dairy of David Knowles, an old pioneer in 
the northern part of the county, at the mouth 
of the Riissian River. There he remained two 
years and with the jiroceeds of his labor he 
entered the law school at Benicia, which at that 
time was known as the Benicia Law School. 
Among his fellow students there, were Joseph 
McKenna, nowC'ongressman from the Third Dis- 
trict of California; George A. Lamont, for 
many years a leading attorney of Solano; Hon. 
James .V. Stephens, mayor of Virginia City, 
and district attorney of Story County, Nevada. 
After remaining at Benicia three years, Mr. 
Haskell was admitted to the bar, in 1806, l>y 
the Supreme Court of the State. He then com- 
menced the practice of law in Petaluma, which 
he continued one year, when, at the expiration of 
that time he entered his father's store as clerk 
and bookkeeper, remaining there until 1874, 
four years of which time he was a partner in 
the business. Then desirous of resuming the 
practice of his profession, he went to Winne- 
mucca, Humboldt County, .Nevada, where he 
was appointed Deputy United States InrernaJ 
Revenue Collector for that State. He opened 
an ofhce in the practice of law, at the same time 
attended to the duties of his official position; 
and invested what means he liad in a stuck 
ranch, in Paradise Valley, with K. 11. Scott, an 
old ju'oneer of Humboldt County, Nevada, with 
whom he was in business about si.\ years. Being 
offered the cashiership of the Savings Rank of 
Petaluma, in 187G, he accepted the same and 
returned to this city where he filled that position 
two years, when, in September, 1878, he opened 
a law othce in the Odd Fellows buildintj, then 



irrsTonr of tiONouA county. 



just cutnplcted, where lie has since been iu the 
active practice of his profession. Mr. Haskell 
was married September 8, 18()7, to Katie V. 
Kelley, only daughter of Alfred and Eunice 
Kelley of this city. They had three children 
two sons who died in infancy, and a daughter^ 
Euna (i. Mrs. ilaslvell died in 1880, and 
tiiree years later, in July, 1883, Mr. Haskell 
was united in marriage with Emma A. Denny, 
widow of Tiiumas Denny of Siskiyou County, 
and sistei' of .\. A. Weber, a large land owner 
of Selma, I'resno County, California. i>y this 
iiiiioii they iiave one daughter, liuth E. 



fA: .l..l.(T()I>l>l,proi)rietors of the Sotoyome 
Winery, liealdsburg, are among the eu- 
° terprising men of their section of Sonoma 
(younty. The Sotoyome AVinery was established 
by F*. i*c IJ. (xobbi in 1881, and they carried on the 
business until 1884, when J. J. (Tobbi bought 
the interest of B. Gobbi, and the firm became as 
at present known. The main building of the 
winery is 60.\80 feet in ground dimensions, while 
tiie still-house adjoining is 20x30 feet in floor 
area. The storage capacity is about 70,000 
gallons and from 60,000 to 65,000 gallons of 
wine ai-e made annually, some 10,000 gallons 
being annually kept over. They raise no grapes 
tiiemselves, but buy from the farmers of the 
surrounding country. The wine manufactured 
by P. it d . J. Goljbi has a fine reputation, and 
commands a ready sale in San Francisco as soon 
as prepared for market. They also manufact- 
ure grape brandies, and the product of their 
distillery never lias to wait-for a market. 

Julius J. (iobbi, of this firm, is a native of 
Italy, born iu the province of J^ongo, December 
16, 1858, his ])arents Ijeing Julius J., Sr., and 
Mary (Maclie) Cobbi, the father being a vine 
grower. In 1860 the family came to America, 
landing at New York, and from there came to 
California, via Panama, landing at San Fran- 
cisco March 18, 1869. .\fter a residence of a 
short period at liealdsliurg, they removed to 



Ukiah, where the father bought property and 
started improvements, but died the following 
year. The family established a vineyard there, 
and Julius J. Gobbi learned tlie business of vine 
growing and also the rudiments t)f wine-making 
at Ukiah. In 1888 he went back to Italy, go- 
ing via >«'ew York, and after spending four 
months in Europe, returned to California and 
located in liealdsburg. He entered the employ 
of 1'. & II Gobbi, and in January, 188-1, bought 
the entire interest of 13. Gobbi. He was mar- 
ried in this county April 17, 1887, to Miss Ella 
Yengling, a native of Petaluma. They have 
one child — Henry. Mr. Gobbi is an active, en- 
ergetic man, and takes a lively interest in the 
welfare of the community. 

Peter Gobbi, senior member of the firm of 
P. & J. J. Gobbi, was born in the province of 
Dongo, in Italy, September 4, 1853, his parents 
being Charles and Giovannina (Mantuva) Gobld. 
His father was an extensive vine-grower and 
wine manufacturer. Peter Gobbi was reared in 
his native country to the age of sixteen years, 
and acquired there a knowledge of the indus- 
trial pursuits followed by his father. Early in 
1870 he went to London, and there entered the 
employ of an uncle, who was engaged in t-iic 
furniture business. He was there engaged un- 
til the summer of 1873, when he took jjascage 
on a vessel bound for America, and landed in 
New York on the 7th of July. lie soon starteil 
west and in a short time was in San Francisco. 
From there he went to Ukiah, and after a visit 
of eighteen or twenty days, went to Petaluma. 
where he was employed in the dairy business. 
In 1877 he engaged in the same industry for 
himself at Bloomiield, and on the Ist of June, 
1882, started the Sotoyome Winery. Mr. Gob- 
bi was married November 16, 1879, to Miss 
Emma Yengling, who was born in Petaluma. 
They have two children — Chai-les and Ella. 
Mr. (-iobbi, realizing the desirability of a 
thorough schooling, has determined to give 
them the advantages of the best education to 
be had on this coast. .Vs for himself, he has 
given his best endeavors towanl the buildiny: 



323 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



up of ail industry wliich lias circulated tliou- 
saudsand thousands of dollars in tliis community, 
and wliich is a credit to Ilealdsburc^. Mr. 
Gobbi is a member, and inside watchman of 
Friendship Lodge, Xo. 34, K. of P.. and is 
foreman of Ilealdsburg Lodge, No. 31, A. (). 
U. W. ;- also a member of the local lodge, L (). 
C). F. He and a brother (now a civil engineer 
in Eucnos Ayres, South America), are owners 
of the old home ])hice in Italy, a valuable prop- 
erty. 

. , ,vg-|,-* ,|-gl>- , ; • 1^ 

fAMLEL B. HEKKY. Among the lead- 
ing business men of Sebastopol. none rank 
higher than Samuel V>. IJerry, the proprie- 
to)' of the only livery and sale stable in that 
place, llis establishment is tirst-class in every 
respect, and he is also the owner and conductor 
of th'i United States mail stage line from Santa 
Kosa to Sebastopol, and from Sebastopol to Free- 
stone. The equipments on these lines are un- 
excelled by any in the county. Two trips a day 
are made over these routes, and he also carries 
Wells, Fargo ct Co.'s express. A sketch of Mr. 
Berry's life is of interest and is as follows: He 
was born in Sangamon County, Hlinois, Febru- 
ary 14, 1842. His father, I!. !'.. Berry, asketch 
of wliom is contained in this volume, is a res- 
ident of Sebastopol. Mr. Berry came to Sonoma 
County with his parents when but ten years of 
age. Here he was reared and eduQated. His 
earlj- life was sjieiit on a farm, where he became 
versed in the practical knowledge pertaining to 
that callinjj as well as stock-raising. In 18H5 
he married Miss Mary J. Miller, daughter of 
John and Mary ( Holman) Miller. Her parents 
were natives of Illinois, came to California at an 
early date, and were pioneers of Sonoinai County. 
After his marriage Mr. Berry engaged in farm- 
ing about two miles west of Sebastopol, where 
he remained until 1868. In that year he sold 
out, moved to Lake County and located at Gue- 
nock. Coyote Valley, and estaljlished a hotel and 
livery stable. He successfully conducted this 



enterprise until 1872, and in that year he sold 
out his hotel and livery stable and returned to 
Sebastopol. Ujioti his return he purchased 
from his brother, John 11. lierry, his interest in 
the livery stable of Berry «!c Son, and in part- 
nership with his father, B. B. Berry, entered 
into the livery business. The stage line at that 
time was from Santa Kosa through Sebastopol 
tu Point .Vrena, but upon the completion of 
the North Pacific Coast Ilailroad in 1879, the 
western terminus was changed to Freestone on 
that road. January 28, 1876. Mrs. Berry died, 
leaving four children. September 7, 1876, Mr. 
Berry married his second wife, Miss Lucinda 
J. Purvince, daughter of Jackson Purviuce, a 
native of Illinois, in which State Mrs, Berry was 
born. Her father is now (1888) a resident of 
Washington Territory. In 1881 Mr. Berry and 
his father met with gi-eat losses, their stable, 
horses, carriages and coaches being destroyed 
b}' fire. Here Mr. Berry showed the enterprise 
and pluck that is one of his characteristics. 
He at once began re-building his stables and 
purchased a new outfit. In this enterprise he 
was alone, his father having retired from the 
business immediately after the fire. Although 
the fire swept away all of Mr. Berry's stock, 
etc., he did not lose one day in the transpor- 
tation of the mails, express or passengers. The 
greater portion of Mr. Berry's life, since ar- 
riving at man's estate, has been spent in Se- 
bastopol and vicinity. He is one of its promi- 
nent and progressive citizens, well-known and 
respected. Lie is a member of Evergreen 
Lodge, No. 161, I. O. O. F.; Rebecca Degree 
Lodge, No. 44, I. O. (). F. ; Chosen Friends 
Lodge, No. 21, and of Lodge No. 5, of the 
Golden West. All of the above lodges are of 
Sebastopol. He is a consistent member of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian church. He has al- 
ways taken a deep interest in the public schools, 
and for eight years was a school trustee of his 
district. In 1868 he was deputy sherifi" of Lake 
County and rendered efficient services in that 
capacity for four years, or until he removed to 
Sonoma County. In political matters he is 




^y^'^.^^A/y^'TTy 



HISTOBT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Democratic, but is lihenil :uk1 conservative in 
liis views. His success in life has been gained 
l.y his energy and business tact. Among his 
property in Sebastopol, mention may be made 
uf his residence and one acre of tine orchard 
in whicli he is growing nearly all varieties of 
fruit produced in the county. He is also the 
owner of a valu'able tract of timber land, 080 
acres in extent, located in Humboldt County. 
From ^[r. Berry's first marriage there are living 
the following named children: Oliver M., 
Charles E. and Clyde S. The thir<l child, 
Martha L., died in 1887, at the age of sixteen 
years. From the second marriage there are two 
"children living, Elmer I. and Gertrude E.; 
one, Lenia M., is deceased. All of his chil- 
dren are members of his family. His three 
eldest sons are rendering him great assist- 
ance in conducting his Ijusiness. Two of them 
are driving the coaches on his stage lines, the 
other being engaged in the care and business ot 
the stables. 



tUMSTFAl) RUNYON, deceased, was 
born in the State of Kentucky, November 
25, 1800. When he was twelve years of 
age his father. Michael liunyon, moved with 
his family to Ohio and settled near Dayton, 
where the subject of this sketch grew to man- 
hood and married a Miss Hornbeckcr, and soon 
after went to Illinois, locating at Lockport, 
Will County, before Chicago was incorporated 
as a village. His father also brought his family 
to the Prairie State and spent the remainder of 
his life at Lockport. During the war with the 
Sac and Fox Indians the few settlers at that 
place took their families to Fort Dearborn for 
safety, the men occupying a block-house con- 
structed for their defense in case of attack by 
the Indians, while pursuing their vocations to 
earn a living for their dependent ones. In 
1839 Mr. Ilunyon lost his wife, who died leav- 
ing a family of six ciiildren. On July 7, 
1840, he was joined in marriage with Miss Mary 



Crawford, a resident of Lockport, of Anglo-Cer- 
man parentage but a native of Ireland, born 
September 25, 182-1. She came with her pa- 
rents, Washington and Mary (Geddes) Crawford, 
to America when a small child. Her mother 
died at Lockport, and her father afterward went 
to Wisconsin where he passed the remainder of 
his life. Some years after their marriage Mr. 
and Mrs. Kunyon moved to Missouri and set- 
tled about iifty miles soutli of Springfield; re- 
sided there until 1848, returned to Lockport, 
and the following spring Mr. Kunyon crossed 
the plains to California, bringing with him his 
three oldest sons. Unlike most of the Forty- 
niners, Mr. Runyon never went to the mines, 
but stopped in Sacramento County, at Onisbo, 
now Courtland, and engaged in farming, which 
had been his occupation in the Fast. In tiie 
spring of 1853 he returned to Lockport, and in 
November of that year started with the re- 
mainder of his fiimily for California, via New 
York and the Isthmus of Panama, arriving in 
San Francisco, December 16. They proceeded 
to the farm above mentioned, whicii was their 
home for many years, and which Mrs. Runyon 
still owns. When starting with his family 
from New Y'ork Mr. Runyon, having faith in 
CaHfornia as a fruit growing country, purchased 
and shipped !f<5,000 worth of fruit trees, which 
he saw securely packed and prepaid the trans- 
portation charges on them. At Panama he 
employed an agent to receive and forward them, 
but from some cause never ascertained by him 
they failed to reach their owner. Not dis- 
couraged by this severe loss and the futility of 
his iirst eflbrt, Mr. Runyon procured trees and 
planted the first orchard in the Sacramento Val- 
ley. In 1871 the family removed to Santa Rosa, 
where Mr. Runyon died Septemljer 8, 187H, and 
where his widow still resides in her beautiful 
home on H street. During the latter years of 
his life Mr. Kunyon was quite extensively in- 
terested in mining operations, among which 
was a silver mine in Mexico, which he sold for 
$t)5,000 before coming to Santa Rosa. Their 
j ol)ject in moving to the city was largely for the 



326 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



purpose of educating their children, of whom 
Mr. Ivuiiyou had six by his tirst wife and seven 
by the present widow. Being interested in the 
cause of education, he contributed liberally 
toward building the Christian College (now a 
Catholic convent) and also the Pacific Methodist 
College. l[r. Runyon left an estate valued at 
S140.O00, of which the Sacramento County farm 
(if 34-0 acres and the Santa Rosa homestead 
owned iiy Mrs. Runyon, are a part. The latter 
comprises three acres of land and the family 
residence erected at a cost of .'Blo,000 about 
fifteen years ago, the premises being worth ^20,- 
000. -Mrs. Ruuyon's children are Victoria, wife 
of Arthur Brown, of Oakland; Henry A., who 
was formerly a comniissit^m merchant in San 
Francisco, died February 24, ISSO; Albert J., 
who resides in Oregon, unmarried; AV. N. Run- 
yon, married, living on the farm in Sacramento 
County; Charles E., married and residing in 
Portland, Oregon; Frederick M., married, livf^ig 
in Oakland; and Emma F., wife of F^dwin T. 
Earl, of the Earl F'ruit Company, fruit shijipers 
of Sacramento and Los .Vngeics. 



;]r^j;ii>LIAM llOOl), proprietor of Los 
"fuStll *'i'''i"J"^ Rancii, is one of California's 
l*"^!^ pionee)' men. No liist<_iry of the county 
or State could be well written without mention 
ot' him. -V full history of his more than merely 
active life would, if it could be detailed, be of 
great iiiterest; but lack of space prevents us from 
giving more than a brief review, leaving out 
many an adventure by land and sea, and many 
a thrilling narrative of great danger passed only 
l>y display of great coolness and daring. AVe re- 
cord that he was born in the ancient city of St. 
Andrew's, Scotland, September 9, 1818, of an 
old Scottish faniily. After receiving a fair 
schooling for a youth of those days, he served 
under his father, James Hood, five years as an 
apprentice to the carpenter and cabinet-makers' 
trades, ac(|uiriug at the same time a knowledge 
of the manufacture of agricultural implements 



and of general wood work. When nineteen 
years of age he left the old home, and at Dun- 
dee, Scotland, engaged in ship-carpentering and 
and cabinet-work, following that occupation 
three years. He next, in 18-1:0, in the city of 
London, spent a few months in house building; 
then tilled with the s[)irit of adventure and deter- 
mined to try his fortune in a new land, he em 
barked for New Zealand, where he landed after 
a dreary voyage of six months. Life in New 
Zealand in those years required constant vigi- 
lance to guard against massacre by the uatives, 
and building and guarding stockades was a part 
of the duty of every able-bodied white man. In 
1843, with two fellow shij^mates, Mr. Hood 
sailed for Valparaiso, Chili, where, owing to the 
city having been largely destroyed by fire, 
mechanics were in great demand and at good 
wages. Until 1846 he worked in that city. 
Then, although California was yet under Mexi- 
can domination, the stories of its fertility and 
genial skies determined him to visit the province. 
Not being able to go direct, he reached Peru, 
where, after a delay of two months, he was en- 
abled to procure a passage to Monterey, reaching 
that place the week following the arrival of 
Commodore Sloat, who had i-aised the American 
fiag and by proclamation taken possession of the 
land in the name of the United States Govern- 
ment. The same season Mr. Hood visited So- 
noma County and Los Cuilucos Valley. Inex- 
pressilily charmed with what he saw, he left with 
the determination that if he could control the 
future he would finally make the valley his 
home. JJefoi'e returning to San Francisco, Mr. 
Hood visited Ceneral Vallejo, at the i-equest of 
the latter, who was still held as a jjrisoner by 
the American forces, at his own home. Later 
he passed the present site of Sacramento, then 
occupied by one solitary Indian and his squaw. 
At San Francisco Mr. Hood again took up 
the active life so natural to him. Accordingly, 
the next two years he was a building contractor, 
engaged in house building, ship repairing, etc. 
Upon the discovery of gold his men left him and 
he found himself engaged in work contracted 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



for upon labor basis of one dollar per day, pay- 
ing eight dollars per day for the same labor, and 
a rapidly rising market. Finishing his last 
contract, lie, too, went to the mines, but sick- 
ness soon compelled his return to the city. With 
an increased demand, he resumed profitably liis 
former business, and rapidly laid the foundation 
of a large fortune. In December, 1849, he re- 
visited Los txuilucos Valley, and soon after 
bought all the land known and described as the 
" Guilucos " grant, in Los Guilucos Valley, one 
of the most picturesque valleys in the whole 
State of California. Tlie grant was originally 
made by the Mexican Government, to the 
wife of Don Juan Wilson, a famous sea captain 
under the old regime, and his wife, Ramena. Tiie 
boundaries became the subject of litigation. 
The final adjudication confirmed Mr. Hood's 
title to over 18,000 acres. With the purchase 
he became the owner of 500 head of cattle. The 
work of improvement began at once, upon por- 
tions of the grant. A part of the ranch, was 
subdivided, and sold to men trying to hold as 
squatters, at a nominal price. Mr. Hood com- 
menced the building of the splendid home he 
now occupies in 1857. The dwelling-house is 
a large substantial structure, which might well 
be called a mansion, situated at the foot of 
Hood's Mountain, surrounded by shaded grounds 
wiiose great natural beauty have been enhanced 
by art. All the building improvements seem to 
have been erected witii a view to utility and 
convenience ratiier than cost. A nf)ticeable fea- 
ture is the substantial winery and wine cellars, 
where the product of 200 acres of the raneli in 
vineyard is manufactured and stored. The 
i-anch of to-day contains about 1,500 acres, and 
altogether makes one of the most charming rural 
liomes to' be found in California. It is located 
on the Santa Rosa and Sonoma road, nine miles 
east of Santa Rosa, and thirteen miles from 
Sonoma. Few persons of California have passed 
through more of its trials tiiati the subject of 
this sketch. Always public-spirited, in many 
an enterprise he has been engaged, and lias met 
with sad reverses in fortune; liut throuirh all 



has carried his manly dignity, his genial kind- 
ness, his ever welcome hospitality. Suffering 
often times losses through the unfaithfulness of 
others, he has ever kept his faith with all men. 
He has the respect and confidence of all who 
know him well and he enjoys the consciousness 
of having never wronged any man. 



l^ICIIARD FULlvERSON, deceased. The 
1i^ subject of this sketch located in Santa 
■^^^ Rosa when that now flourishing city was 
but a frontier village, having been christened 
only about two years. If only for the part he 
took in laying the foundation of the present 
prosperity, and for the energetic effort displayed 
in the pushing forward of the work of improve- 
ment and development, Mr. Fulkerson should 
have honorable mention in this historic work; 
but he is and always will be among the pioneers, 
and early and later settlers best remembered for 
his many manly qualities and kindly nature. 
Honorable in business, accommodating as a 
neighbor, kind and indulgent as a parent, his 
memory will ever be cherished by all who 
knew him well. Mr. Fulkerson was born of 
one of the pioneer Kentucky families, in Hardin 
County, that State, February 11, 1806. His 
father, Fulkird J'ulkerson, of German extrac- 
tion, was born in the State of Pennsylvania, and 
when eleven years of age was brought to Ken- 
tucky by his father, John Fulkerson, very sooti 
after the close of the Revolution. The family 
found refuge from the Indians upon first reach- 
ing that territory in the stockade at Lexington. 
Fulkird Fulkerson, reaching manhood, married 
Sarah Davis, daughter of another pioneer fam- 
ily. Of her children, Richard Fulkerson was 
the eldest, and since his death Dr. T. S. Fulker- 
son, of Rincon Valley, is the only one now 
(1888) living. Richard Fulkerson was reared 
to a farm life, and had but limited opportuni- 
ties for an education; but, possessed of a keen 
observation and retentive menmry, he overcame 
the lack of youthful advantages. In the county of 



UISTUliY OF 60NOMA COUNTY. 



his birth,October 21, 1824, he married Miss Sally I 
Shepherd Clawson, also a native of Kentucky, 
born July 10, 1810. She became the motlier 
of nine children, tive of whom were born in tliat 
State. After a short time spent in Tennessee, 
where two children were horn that died yonng, 
Mr. Fulkerson and his family, early in the 
thirties', became pioneers in the wilds of Mont- 
gomery County, Indiana, where their danghter 
Phebe, now the wife of Jacob Harris, was born. 
Later they removed to Vigo County, that State. 
There their son John was born. In that then 
wild, rugcfed, heavily timbered country several 
years were spent. In 1844 the family became 
pioneer settlers of Davis County, Iowa. That 
now wealthy county was then almost as nature 
had made it. Just ten years later, or in the 
spring of 1854, with his family and all his 
worldly possessions, Mr. Fnlkerson started with 
o.\ teams for this sunny land, reaching Santa 
Rosa October 4. He made his home on ground 
now almost within the city limits. His capital 
was limited, but sutlicient to enable him to pur- 
chase 300 acres of land, and thus lay the found- 
ation of his future competence. His purchase 
adjoined the city on the north, and is now par- 
tially included in the city plat. He added to the 
original purchase and became the owner of a 
splendid tract of 600 acres. Of the children 
born in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Fulkerson, 
four died in infancy in the East. Of the 
others we record that Ruth, the eldest, died the 
widow of Alexander Barnes, in Santa Rosa, in 
1887. Fhebe and her husband, Jacob Harris, 
I'eside upon a portion of the old homestead. 
Mrs. Mary Mize, a widow, also resides upon 
tlie home property. John resides in the city of 
Santa Rosa, and Stephen T., upon a fine ranch 
in Rincon Valley. Full si.xty years Mr. Ful- 
kerson was a member of the ancient, honor- 
able order of Free Masons. Fully ripe for 
the harvest, past four-score in years, he was 
gathered to the fathers, jS'ovember 24, 1887. 
Tenderly he was buried, •' Ashes to ashes, dust 
to dust," with the beautiful and impressive 
ceremonies of the order so proud of his mem- 



bership. The estimable wife who had shared 
with him the trials and hardships of pioneer life 
in Indiana and Iowa, before coming to Sonoma 
County, his loving companion for nearly tliree 
score years, preceded him to the grave, her death 
(jccurring March 18, 1883, at the age of seventy- 
three years. The old family residence is now 
owned by Richard Barnes, son of Mrs. Ruth 
Barnes, and grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Fulker- 
son. 



m^^^^ 



ffOIIN FULKERSON' lias been a resident of 
Santa Rosa since October 4, 1854. He 
dates his birth in Vigo County, Indiana, 
October 17. 1835. He is a son of Richard and 
Sarah Fnlkerson. (For more extended men- 
tion of his parents, the reader is referred to the 
biography of Richard Fulkerson.) AVhen in 
his ninth year the subject of this sketch was 
taken to Davis County, Iowa, then (1844) an 
almost uninhabited wilderness of prairie and 
timber. In that county the next ten years of 
of his life were spent in the occupation so com- 
mon to sons of pioneers in all countries, neces- 
sity demanding almost continuous toil, tlis 
youthful days afforded none of the advantages 
which fortunately he has been enabled to afford 
his children. In the hope of bettering his for- 
tunes, a hope fully realized, his father deter- 
mined to emigrate to this favored State. The 
trials of crossing plain, desert and mountain, 
were safely passed, and the parents with their 
five children reached Santa Rosa October 4, 
1854, since which time John Fulkerson has 
continuously resided in or near Santa Rosa. He 
has devoted his life to agriculture, and in all 
his undertakings has been successful. It should 
be here related that, young as he was, he could 
not conclude to come to California without one 
of his dearest school-mates. Accordingly, he 
married Miss Dica Ann AVooldridge, November 
17, 1853. She was a Kentuckian by birth, but 
was reared in Davis Connty, Iowa. She be- 
came the motlier of two children: Abner D., 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNT r. 



who died at the age of twenty-seven years; 
Lillie, wlio wedded J. B. Clark, and died in 
February, 188-i, leaving two sons. Mrs. Fnl- 
kerson was not spared long to her husband and 
children, her death, at the early age of twenty- 
fonr years, occurred April 14, 1859. For his 
second wife, Mr. Fulkerson wedded Miss Rachel 
A. Cannon, daughter of Lewis Cannon. She 
was born in the State of Missouri in 1846. The 
following year her parents, passing all the dan- 
gers of an overland trip in. those early years, 
emigrated to Oregon, thence, in 1857, they came 
to this county. Her father now lives in Tehama 
County. Of the nine children born to this 
union seven are living, viz.: Uica A., Robert E; 
L., Ida M., now wife of Frank B. Wood; Luda 
v., Charles A., Daca C. and Sylvester S. The 
deceased are: John W., who lived to be nine- 
teen years of age, and Byrd, who died in infancy. 
Mr. Fulkerson is the owner of a good residence 
property in the city of Santa Rosa, besides 
other city property, two residences, and a busi- 
ness house located on the corner of Mendocino 
and Cherry streets. One of the choicest farm 
properties in the vicinity of Santa Rosa is the 
tine ranch of fifty-one acres owned by him in 
Rincon Valley, situated on the Santa Rosa and 
Sonoma road, three miles east of the city. The 
location is one of great natural beauty. The 
tine dwelling- house commands fnnn its eleva- 
tion a \iew of the charming valley, and makes 
tlie location one suited for a deliglitful home. 

in S. FULKERSON, M. D.— The subject 
^ffic of this sketch, l>oth in years and in the 
^ ' length of time devoted to the practice of 
his profession, ranks among the oldest physi- 
cians, if not the oldest, in Sonoma County. A 
brief review gives the following facts relating 
to his history. Jle is the son of Fulkird and 
Sarah Fulkerson, born in Grayson County, Ken- 
tucky, (October 11, 1807. His grandfather, 
John Fulkerson, was of German descent, and 
perhaps of (iei-man birth, lie was one of the 



pioneers of the State of Kentucky, settling 
there from the State of Pennsylvania, very soon 
after the close of the Revolutionary war. Only 
those fully informed as to the history of Ken- 
tucky have even a slight conception of the 
trials, privations and extreme danger ot life in 
the frontier of that day. It was the " dark and 
bloody ground "' consecrated and immortalized 
by the heroic deeds of valor in its defense 
against the red men by Boone, Harrod, Rogers, 
Clarke and their compatriots. The Fulkerson 
family, with great ditficulty in extreme danger, 
found their first refuge in the stockade at Lex- 
ington. Even while passing through the gate 
admitting them, one horse was shot down out 
of a team by the Indians. Fulkird Fulkerson, 
the father of the subject of this sketch, was 
then eleven years of age. Tlie grandfather, 
John Fulkerson, lived to see the then wilder- 
ness converted into a land filled with happy 
homes, luxuriant with wealth, and the last of 
the red men disappear. He died at the age of 
nearly 100 years, leaving a long line of ancestry 
to revere the memory of a noble, heroic ances- 
tor. Fulkird Fulkerson married Miss Sarah 
Davis, a native of Virginia. Her father, Theo- 
dore Davis, was also one of the heroic pioneers 
of Kentucky, and one of the defenders of Ilar- 
rachs Fort. He and his family had suttered 
greatly at the hands of the Indians. Five of 
his brothers had been slain by the Indians in 
the old State of Virginia. After a long resi- 
dence in Kentucky, where all of his children 
were born, Fulkird Fulkerson removed to Mont- 
gomery County, Indiana, about 1829, and again 
commenced pioneer life in its dense forests. 
His wife passed to the better land shortly after- 
ward, her death occurring in February, 1830. 
About the time the family settled in Montgom- 
ery County T. S. Fulkerson, whose name heads 
this sketch, commenced the study of medicine 
under the preceptorship of Dr. William B. 
Crook, at Middletown, in that county. After 
four years of preparatoiy study he commence<l 
the practice of medicine at Terre Haute, V'igo 
County, Indiana, his father soon after moving 



330 



HISTORY OF .'iOAOilA COUNTY. 



to the same county, where he died in 1837, aged 
seventy years. Here it would be well to state 
that the late Richard Fulkerson, of Santa Rosa; 
was the oldest of liis family of children, and 
that Dr. Fulkerson is the only snrvivin<^ mem- 
ber of the family. The doctor continued in 
successful practice in Terre Haute and surround- 
ing country about twenty years. In those early 
years, in the sparsely settled country, with 
often times impracticable roads, the practice of 
medicine was no easy road to fortune. It j-e- 
(juired a strong constitution, indomitable will 
and an unfailing fund of energy, and with all a 
willingness to work with or witiuMit fee. All 
these qualifications the doctor possessed to a 
remarkable degree. No night was ever too 
dark, no road ever too long or too deep for him 
wlien called to relieve the sick. In 1834 lie 
married Miss Rebecca Morris, daughter of David 
and Falby Morris, also a Kentuckian by birth. 
In 1853 the doctor, with his family, removed 
to Iowa and established his practice at Bioom- 
tield. the county seat of Davis County. There 
he devoted himself to the practice of his pro- 
fession until 18t)-4, in which year he came to 
Santa Rosa, and the following year removed to 
his present home, in Rincon Valley, three 
miles east of the city, on the road leading to 
Sonoma. There his wife died in 1871, aged 
lifty-three years. Slie was the mother of twelve 
children, of whom Mrs. Sarah Grider, a widow, 
residing in Tulare County, is the only one now 
living. September 13, 1876, Dr. Fulkerson for 
his second wife married Mrs.. Fanny (Lock) 
Grimsley, daughter of William and Mary Lock. 
She wus born in Davis County, Iowa, Novem- 
ber 4, 1848. By her former marriage she has 
one child living, Eva, now tlie wife of John Mc- 
Knight, of Santa Rosa. Mrs. Fulkerson came 
to Sonoma County with her parents in 1875. 
Later they returned East. Her inotiier now 
resides in Alarion County, l\ansas, where her 
father died August 10, 1887. Dr. I'ulkerson 
lias devoted his life in Sonoma County, up to 
within a comparatively recent period, almost 
exclusively to the practice of his profession. 



Now over eighty years of age, he feels the 
necessity of rest and proposes to quietly, under 
his own vine and fig tree, enjoy the well earned 
peace and quiet, which, if the prayers of hosts 
of many warm tViends be answered, may for 
many years yet be his. Politically, since the 
first presidency of Andrew Jackson, the doctor 
has been identified with the Democratic party. 
Sixty years he has been a member of the Ma- 
sonic fraternity, and was one of the charter 
members of the Santa Rosa ( hapter. 



fT. FULKERSON, of Rincon Valley, 
Santa Rosa Township, is the son of Rich- 
° ard Fulkerson, whose biography will be 
found in this connection. The subject of this 
sketch was l)oni in Grayson County. Kentucky, 
July 7, 1840. His parents became pioneers in 
Davis County, Iowa, in 1844. Tliere, in the 
new country, witli its limited advantages, he 
was reared to his fourteenth year. In the spring 
of the year 1854 the family started on the over- 
land journey to this State, reaching Santa Rosa 
the fourth day of October. Of the five children 
who came to this State with their parents, tiie 
subject of this sketch was the youngest. He 
has always followed agricultural^ pursuits, and 
with the e.xception of a temporary absence of 
eighteen months, has resided in Santa Rosa 
Township continuously since he was fourteen 
years of age. August 29, 1858, lie married 
Miss Amanda Ellen Cockrill, daugiiter of Har- 
rison and Ruhama Cockrill, who were also early 
settlers in the county, coming in 1853. Her 
fatherli ved only threeyears after liis arrival here. 
Ifer motiier married Henry A. (iraiit, and is 
again a widow, now li\ ing in Monterey County. 
The fine ranch with its shaded, commodious 
residence, owned and occupied by Mr. Fulker- 
son and his famiiv, is located on tlie east side of 
Rincon Valley, about si.\ miles from the city of 
Santa Rosa. The residence, elevated above the 
level of the valley, affords a view pleasing to the 
eye. It has been occupied by the family since 



niSTOHY OF tiONOMA VOL' NT Y. 



331 



1883. The ranch consists of 312 acres, includ- 
ing, as it does, some of the choicest of valley 
and foot-hill lands. It is well adapted to every 
vai-iety of production as well as general fann- 
ing. Twenty-five acres are in vineyard and a 
few acres in a general variety orchard. The 
rest is devoted to stock and general pnrposes. 
We give the names in the order of their births 
of their nine children (two of whom are de- 
ceased): Henry IT., September 12, 1859, who 
died May 18, 1876; Alice Clara, December 20, 
1861. is now the wife of Theodore Grider, of 
Tulare County; Laura E., March 9, 1865, wife 
of Douglas Badger, of Rincon Valley; William 
E., February 10, 1868, died July 20, 1883; 
Puchard, February 19, 1871; MoUie L., Janu- 
ary 9, 1874; Nora C, January 12, 1877; 
IJruce (\, August 2, 1881; and Ida Helen, 
January 23, 1886. 

.„, „,'■', ■., If „,'')|., . . . 

(s " ^ ej 

fR. THOMAS W. BROTHERTON, pastor 
of the Episcopal congregation of Ilealds- 
bnrg, is a native of Baltimore, Maryland, 
born December 8, 1828, and son of Thomas W., 
Sr., and Phebe (Taylor) Brotherton, the former 
a sea captain, and both natives of Maryland. 
The doctor was reared at Baltimore, and was 
tliere educated for the medical profession. In 
1849 he accompanied his father, who sailed his 
ship around the Horn to San Francisco, and 
decided to remain in California. He located at 
Georgetown, El Dorado County, and practiced 
medicine there until 1855, when he removed to 
San Andreas. He had given much time to re- 
ligious study, and in I860 was ordained as 
deacon by Bishop Kip of the Episcopal church, 
and took charge of St. John's parish, as rector. 
He built St. John's Church, San Francisco, as it 
stands to-day, and was for thirteen years its 
])astor. Ever zealous in his religious work, he 
liuilt, in the mean time, St. Luke's Hospital, and 
placed it on a firm basis. In 1864 he founded 
the Pacific Clnin-hmnn, and was its first editor, 
continuing in that capacity for one year. 11 is 



labors and methods in founding St. Luke's 
Hospital are thoroughly indicative of his char- 
acter. He had commenced this work while yet 
in charge of St. John's parish, but having 
reached a certain point in the work, he felt the 
need of a more thorough accjuaintance with the 
practical side of hospital work. He went east 
and spent an entire year in becoming acquainted 
with the details of hospital construction and 
conveniences, then returned and resumed woi-k. 
The result is to be seen in the noble tribute ^o 
humanity which was soon brought to completion. 
He gave up the parish and confined his attention 
entirely to the direction of the hospital until 
1877, when, having completely exhausted his 
health and strength, he was compelled to re- 
sign his labors. He then removed to Ilealds- 
burg, bought the place where he now resides, 
and improved it, giving his time to denomi- 
national labors when able, and being now the 
pastor of St. Paul's parish, Healdsburg. Dr. 
Brotherton was married, while a resident of San 
Francisco, to Miss Mary E. King a native of 
Washington, D. C. They have three children, 
viz.: Thomas W., Jr., who resides at Los An- 
geles; [^anclie M., and Mary E. 



J^lEORGE IVANCOVIOH, M. D.— The 
ff|te| subject of this sketch is a native of Aus- 
W^ tria, wliere he was born December 15, 
1848. He received a good education from the 
schools of his native country and in 1866 went 
to London where he commenced the study of 
medicine and prosecuted his labors there for 
four years. In the latter part of 1870 he came 
to California, and in 1877 entered the Pacific 
Medical College of San Francisco, where he 
graduated in 1878. The name of this college 
has since been changed to Cooper's Jledical 
College. Dr. Ivancovich went to Grass Valley, 
Nevada County, the same year he graduated 
and soon established a fine practice, remaining 
there until 1884. He then came to Petaluma, 
whore l:o opened an otlice and has since con- 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTT. 



tinned to reside here actively engaged in the 
practice of his profession. The doctor is an 
intelligent gentleman, particnlarly npon qnes- 
tions of medical or snrgical science. He is en- 
jo^'ing a fine practice together with the esteem 
and confidence of his friends and patrons. He 
was married December 26, 1875, to Miss Kellie 
R. Jones, a native of Chicago, Illinois. They 
have five children, two daughters and three sons. 



flTDGE ALF.ERT P. OYERTON can justly 
claim the title of pioneer in California, 
avingbee n a resident of the State over 
thirty-eight years. He was born in Independ- 
ence, Missouri, in 1830, and grew np to man- 
hood on his uncle's farm near there. His father, 
Moses, was a native of Alabama and his mother, 
Mary Turner, of Tennessee. They were married 
in the latter State and soon after settled in Mis- 
souri, where they passed the remainder of their 
lives. They had a family of three sons and one 
daughter, all now deceased but the subject of 
this sketch. Losing both of his parents in early 
childhood, being but four years old when his 
father died, Albert was adopted into the family 
of his uncle, Jesse Overton, who was a farmer 
and mill owner, and was largely engaged in the 
manufacture of lumber and Hour. On reaching 
his twentieth birthday, the gold excitement in 
California being at its height, Mr. Overton, tired 
by the ambition of young manhood, started from 
Dallas, Texas, for the new El Dorado. Coming 
by 'the southern route, he arrived in San Diego 
on August 1, 1850, and obtained employment 
in the Quartermaster's Department in the Gov- 
ernment service, till the following February, 
when he came up to San Francisco, and thence 
to Sacramento, wliere he stopped a shorts time 
before going on to the mines on Trinity River 
to try his hand in digging for the yellow dust. 
Three months' experience dispelled from his 
mind the charm of gold seeking in that uncer- 
tain channel, and leaving the mines, he returned 
to El Dorado County, and built a hotel, on the 



road leading from Sacramento to Placerville. 
This was known as the Duroc House, which he 
conducted until August, 1852, when he sold out 
and came to Petaluma, Sonoma County, passing 
en route over the site of Santa Rosa, then with- 
out a building in the place, and only three in 
Petaluma. The total number of voters in So- 
noma County which at that time included 
Mendocino County, was only a little over 300. 
Mr. Overton, in company with a man named P. 
B. Smith, purchased a tract of timber land two 
miles and a half west of Petaluma, hired men to 
chop the timber into wood, bought teams, all on 
credit, having no money, and they hauled the 
wood to town to be shipped by schooner to San 
Francisco. Getting some money ahead, after 
paying for their outfit, they bought a lot in 
Petaluma, on which to store their wood. In 
the winter of 1853-"4 Messrs Overton and Smith 
went to the redwood forests and cut and split 
timber and lumber, and erected a building on 
a part of this lot. To get their finishing lumber 
sawed they exchanged work with George B. 
Williams, who is still residing in Petaluma, and 
who owned a whip saw, they getting out part 
of the lumber for the Washington Hotel. P>oth 
of these still stand, with some modifications, as 
old land-marks in that city, When finished, 
the Overton-Smith building cost $300, not in- 
cluding their labor, and the lot %^300, and they 
rented the property for .$75 per month. About 
a year after the completion of the building, Mr. 
Overton sold his interest in the wood ranch and, 
in company with two partners, Arthur and 
Wiley, opened a store of general merchandise 
in the building above mentioned, Mr. Overton 
putting it in as his share of the capital, at -i^S.OOO. 
All mercantile business was done in those days 
on the long credit system; and as many of their 
customers were nomadic stock-raisers with no 
permanent abiding place (there being then no 
established land titles), Mr. Overton saw that 
future disaster stared them in the face, and at 
the end of three months proposed to sell out. 
His partner bought his interest atid a few months 
later the colla])se came ami the house went to 



HISTORY OF .SONOMA COUNTY. 



the wall. On retiring from the mercantile busi- 
ness Mr. Overton resumed the study of law, 
which lie had begun in Missouri, and in 1857 
was admitted to the bar. Forming a partner- 
ship with J. B. Campbell, now superior judge 
in Fresno, he opened a law office in Petaluma 
and commenced practice. Previous to this, 
while reading law, Mr. Overton had been elected 
and served as constable of Petaluma. In 1860 
he was appointed census agent, and the same 
year and for three years following was appointed 
deputy assessor for the southern end of the 
county. In 1807 he was elected district attor- 
ney, and was re-elected for a second term, mak- 
ing four j-ears' service in that capacity. At the 
expiration of his second term he was elected 
county judge and filled the office four years, 
in 187VI Judge Overton was chosen one of the 
thirty-two delegates at large to the Constitu- 
tional Convention which framed the present 
State Constitution, and which held its six 
juonths' session in Sacramento in 1879-'80. The 
152 men comprising that distinguished body 
were among the ablest minds in the State. On 
his election to the office of District Attorney, 
Jndge Overton moved to Santa Rosa, and has 
since been a resident of this place. Some time 
prior to this he had organized the Petal nma Sav- 
ings l^ank, and sold his interest when he left. 
In 1873 he organized the Santa Rosa Savings 
Bank, and has been its President till the pre- 
sent time. In the spring of 1887 he was elected 
Mayor of Santa Rosa, on the Democratic ticket, 
and held the office one term. In 1855 Judge 
Overton married America Helen, the daughter 
of Coleman Talbot, of a prominent Ifentucky 
family, who settled in Bennett Valley about 
1853. ^liss Talbot was a school teacher, who, 
being remarkable for her l)Canty, was styled tiie 
" Belie of the Redwoods." An anecdote related 
of Judge Overton's courting illustrates the char- 
acteristic business methods of the man, and runs 
as follows: Becoming weary of bachelorhood 
while on his wood rancli, near Petaluma, lie re- 
solved to either get married or leave California 
and K" I'ack to tiie States; and kiiowinic Miss 



Talbot, the Judge decided to call on her and 
state his case in a business way. He made the 
call, was pleased with her appearance and made 
the object of his visit known, giving her a month 
in which to decide, at the end of which time he 
was to call and get her answer. Meantime he 
learned there were several other suitors for her 
heart and 'hand, some of whom were men of 
wealth and distinction, and concluding liis case 
was hopeless, he did not go back for the young 
lady's answer for nearly a year; when, learning 
she was still unmarried, he determined to see 
her. lie went, was cordially received, and after 
duly apologizing, renewed his question to which 
she gave an affirmative answer. The Judge 
never regretted his second visit to Bennett 
Yaliey, for she made a model wife and mother. 
She bore him three sons and one daughter, all 
of whom liave been finely educated. The eldest 
son, Theodore, is engaged in the stock business 
and mining in Arizona. The second son, John 
P., is cashier of the bank of which his father is 
President. Tiie other son, Nicholson R., lost 
his life by the accidental discharge of a gun, in 
1886. The daughter, Jessie, is in school in the 
East. Mrs. Overton died in 1869. Several 
years after the Judge married Jennie A. West, 
whose maiden name was Olmstead, a native of 
Vermont and a lady who has been a model step- 
mother, and devoted wife. Jt)lni P. Overton 
married Miss Laura Edwards, whose parents 
were New Jersey people. They have two chil- 
dren, daughters; 



ijE-NRV FOX is a native of Kentucky, born 
at Padiicah, October 24, 1848, his parents 
being ('hristian and Adelia (Kelir) Fox. 
Both parents were natives of Germany, born 
near the river Rhine, and came to America early 
in life and were married in Connecticut. When 
Henry Fox was an infant his parents removed 
to McGregor, Iowa, and there his father en- 
gaged in the hotel business. The subject of 
thi> sketch was reared thei-e receivino- liis edu- 



BISTORT OF t^ONOMA VOUNTY. 



cation in the common schools of McGregor. 
Hecommenceil life for himself in the hotel bus- 
iness in that place and so continued until 1877, 
when he removed to the Pacific coast. After a 
short stay in Eureka he went to San Francisco, 
and from there he came to Healdsbnrg in Jan- 
uary, 1878. In that year he entered upon a 
business career in this place. He purchased 
an interest in the drug business in Healdsburg, 
which was carried on for several years, M'hen 
Mr. Fox purchased his partner'sinterest in 1881 
and since that time has conducted the business 
alone. He has a finely appointed store and car- 
ries the largest stock of drugs and fancy goods, 
stationery, etc., in the place. Mr. Fo.x is also 
postmaster of Healdsburg, having received his 
appointineat to that position January 29, 1887 
He was married in this city August 10, 1881, 
to Miss Lola J. Hall, a native of Sonoma 
County, and a daughter of L. J. Hall, one of 
the old settlers. They have one child, Christal 
F. Mr. Fo.x has demonstrated in the few years 
he has been a resident of Healdsburg what busi- 
ness sagacity and enterprise will do in this 
region, and he now ranks among the solid men 
of the city. He acquired the large Ijrick Ma- 
sonic block by purchase, and is also the owner 
of his business building and residence property 
in Healdsburg. His home place is particularly 
attractive and is worthy of mention. The 
house is a handsome one and the grounds are 
very large and well cared for. He is a member 
of the local lodges, A. F. & A. M. and A. (). U. 
W. Politically, Mr. Fo.k is a Democrat. 



-<-H 



PYRON M. SPENCER, one of the repre- 
sentative business men of Santa Rosa and 
Sonoma County, was born in the Empire 
State forty-six years ago. and received his early 
business training in one of the largest mercan- 
tile houses of New York City. Leaving the 
.Vmerican metropolis at twenty-seven years of 
age, young Spencer traveled westward to seek a 
fiald of usefulness and of fortune, and located in 



the thriving city of Omaha, Nebraska. He re- 
mained there about five years, when he decided 
to continue his journey across the continent, and 
arrived in Santa Rosa in the fall of 1874. The 
following year he opened a grocery and general 
merchandise store, as the first occupant of the 
then new building on the northeast corner of 
Fourth and B streets, in which ^Ir. Carither's 
dry-goods store is now located. In 1877 he 
took in Mr. S. Armstrong as a partner, and the 
firm inaugurated the cash system of doing busi- 
ness, being the first house in Santa Rosa {\i 
not in California) to adopt that plan, all com- 
mercial business having hitherto been conducted 
npon long credits and yearly settlements. This 
was such a radical departure from the old estab- 
lished methods, that the wiseacres predicted 
certain disaster to the new firm, giving them 
six months existence in which to demonstrate 
their folly. But even that short time proved 
the wisdom of this sound business policy in the 
rapid development and growth of their trade, 
and the firm has adhered strictly to the cash 
system throughout the entire iiistory of the 
house. P>uying for cash and selling for cash 
enabled them to give their customers the benefit 
of the lower prices which always attach to this 
mode of dealing, and the new firm soon stepped 
to the front, while many of their competitors 
went to the wall, until, of the twenty grocery 
firms in business when Mr. Spencer started ouly 
two now remain. Observing the very satisfac- 
tory result of their experiment, other business 
firms gradually adopted the cash system, and 
now almost the entire volume of Santa Rosa's 
mercantile transactions are upon the cash basis. 
Indeed, the innovation has spread throughout 
Sonoma and other counties, until the aivtiqnated 
and ruinous credit system is well nigh obsolete 
in the Golden State. During the intervening 
years the house of Spencer A: Armstrong 
changed location twice, finally moving into the 
very large and commodious store Mr. Spencer 
now occupies at 4B5 and 4B7 Fourth street, in 
1886. The store is one of the largest in tlie in- 
terior of California, Iwing 40x200 feet in area, 



Ill STORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



and is well filled with a stock of fine staple gro- 
ceries, glass-ware, queen's-ware, etc., of which 
large (iiiantities are sold upon the V. f). 1). 
small ]>rolit l)asis. Fehniary 1, 18S8, Mr. 
Spencer pnrcliased his partner's interest, and is 
now sole proprietor. Mr. Spencer's active en- 
ergy and public spirit have identified him with 
many public enterprises inaugurated in Santa 
Rosa for many years, generally as oni- of the 
prime movers and principal worlicrs for its 
acliievcment. Among those most prominent in 
which he was one of the projectors and is a 
stockholder and a director, ma}' be mentioned 
the Athena-um Building, dedicated to music 
and the dramatic art, erected in 1885, at a cost 
of sSO.OOO, the finest opera hall in the interior 
of the State; the Masonic Hall, which was 
erected in 1875, costing !?"2(),000, now worth 
830,000; and the new South Side Street Kail- 
way, built the past summer, and extending from 
the plaza on Fourth street to the Sonoma County 
Agricultural Fark, nearly two miles in length, 
which was constructed under his personal super- 
vision as president of the company, and is a 
well made and finely equipped j>iece of property, 
lie is also one of the members of, and an ener- 
getic worker in tlie Sonoma County Agricultural 
Fark Association, as one of its directors. He- 
sides these interests Mr. Spencer owns eonsid 
erablc im])roved and unimproved I'cal estate in 
Santa liosa. lie is a charter nieuilier uF the 
Santa Rosa National Bank; and iA' the Santa 
Rosa Building and Loan Association, suhseribed 
capital now nearly 8250,000. 

CHARLES STRIDDE, residing three miles 
east of Santa Ro a, in Rincon Valley, on 
the road leading from that city to Sonoma, 
was born in (rermany, March 1, 1835, son of 
William Stridde. His father was a wealthy 
man and gave him a good education, intending 
him to lead a military career in the service of 
his country. At the age of sixteen years he 



entered a military school, and at twenty years 
of age entered the army, serving five years. 
But an army life not being in all things con- 
sidered desirable, i[r. Stridde tlien received an 
honorable discharge. February 14. 1802, he 
was united in marriage with Miss ilaria Cus- 
tafson, a native of Sweden. His father having 
died and having left property in Sweden, Mr. 
Stridde visited that country and was married 
there. In 1870 he crossed the ocean, visited 
and traveled considerably in this State. Fleased 
with what he saw. Mr. Stridde sent for his 
family. They established tlieir home on Elk- 
horn ranch, on the Sacramento River, in Yolo 
County. There they lived eight years, and 
after a visit to Germany and Sweden they came 
to this county and established their present resi- 
dence in 1879. Their fine cottage home with 
the few acres of ground, making the residence 
property, is a choice location, giving a fine view 
of the charming valley. The grounds are 
shaded and utilized in the production of choice 
fruits. Mr. Stridde is one of the representative 
wine grape growers of Santa Rosa Township, 
and has given viticidture much attention since 
his residence in this county, having improved 
and sold considerable vineyard property. He 
now owns in the foot-hills two flourishing vine- 
yards, one of forty-one acres and one of thirteen 
acres, from one to two miles from his residence, 
on the east side of Rincon Valley. The eight 
children of Mr. and Mrs. Stridde are all as yet 
under the home roof. Their names in order of 
their births are: Bertha Charlotte, born January 
28, 1863; Alexander William, born August 2, 
I860; Thyra, born April 30, 186!t; Waldmar 
Carl, born January 11, 1871; .\da Jenny, born 
June 22, 1873; George lljalmar, born April 
11,1875; Matilda Augusta, born May 23, 1878; 
and Esther Sophia, born August 22, 1880. The 
family are all memborsof the Lutheran church, 
the church of their fathers. Mr. and Mrs. 
Stridde are members of Council No. 21, of the 
order of Chosen Friends, at Sebastopol. Mr. 
Stridde is quite well known in business and 
social circles, and is respected by all for strict 



nisroBt OF soNoAfA vouNfy. 



integrity and his manly t^ualities. Politically 
lie is not a strict partisan, but believes in the 
pulicy oi protection for American industries. 



IP^EXRY P.OLLE is the owner of the "Bolle 
'W)i ^^i'leyard and Winery." This fine prop- 
"^•l erty is located in Los Guilicos Valley, on 
the Santa Rosa and Sonoma road, seven miles 
east of Santa Rosa. The estate contains 311 
acres, and was bought by Mr. l>olle in 1880, it 
then l)eing naked land. Commencing the work 
of improvement at once he carried it rapidly 
forward to the present. The winery, a sub- 
stantial structure, has a capacity of 100,000 
gallons, and is used for tlie manufacture of 50,- 
OOO gallons annually: 100 acres of the ranch 
are devoted to the growing of the wine grape 
and the rest to general farm purposes. Mr. Bolle 
was born in Germany, May 8, 1832. Early in 
life he was apprenticed to the cooper's trade. 
Reaching the age of twenty- two yeai-s, and de- 
sirous of finding a home in a land giving more 
of personal freedom and room for advancement 
than was derived in the land of his birth, he. in 
1854, came to the new world. In the city of 
New York he found employment at his trade. 
The following year, in 1855, he came to this 
State, and about three years was engaged with 
varying success in mining in Sierra County. In 
1858 he located in San Francisco, and after a 
time spent in working at his trade, he con- 
ducted for several years the cooper business on 
his own account. In that city. May 26, 1861, 
he was united in marriage with Miss Anna 
Stacker, who was burn in (Germany, .\ugust 25, 
1839, and who iiad ix'sided in San Francisco 
the previous four years. They have four chil- 
dren, all of whom still have their home under the 
])arental roof Their names are Sophie, William, 
Henry and Ernest. Mr. Bolle has an abiding 
faith in the coining greatness of California as a 
wine producing State, believing that interest to 
be yet in its infancy, and that the difficulties 
and discouragements of to-day will soon pass 



away, lie proposes to hold strictly to the line 
marked out for himself, feeling that the future will 
bring about the manufacture of a better article, 
create a better demand, and bring its reward. 
Politically, he is classed as a liberal, progressive 
Democrat. He is a member of the Concordia 
((ierman) Lodge of Odd Fellows, at San Fran- 
cisco. 



Mel; , /^ 



fAMES GREGSON.— Among the represent- 
ative men of Sonoma County is the subject 
of this sketch. He dates his birth from 
September 14, 1822, in Little Bolton, England. 
His parents, Nicholas and Mary (Bowles) Greg- 
son, were born in England, his father being of 
Scotch descent. 11 is parents emigrated to the 
United States, and settled in Philadelphia in 
1834. Here he was reared until the age of fif- 
teen years, at which time he was bound to James 
Brooks, as an apprentice to the blacksmith and 
machinist's trade, at which he served until 
twenty-one years of age. October 20, 1843, 
Mr. Gregson was united in marriage with Miss 
Eliza Marshall, the daughter of John and Ann 
(Hughes) Marshall. Mrs. Gregson was born in 
Manchester, England, March 15, 1824. Her 
parents were natives of England. In 1844 Mi-. 
Gregson moved to Rock Island County, Illinois, 
where he resided until April, 1845. In that 
month he started across the plains for Cali- 
fornia. In company with himself and wife upon 
this emigration were Mrs. Gregsou's two broth- 
ers, Henry and John Marshall, also her mother 
and sister, l\Iary A. Marshall. The journey 
was slowly made l)y ox teams. Aside from the 
usual hardshi])S and discomforts attending a 
journey of this character, nothing of interest 
occurred until the party reached Humboldt 
Canon. Here they were attacked by the In- 
dians, who killed all their stock except a yoke 
of oxen. Thus deprived of means of transpor- 
tation, they were compelled to make a two- 
wheeled vehicle from one of the wagons. Upon 
this they placed their baggage and such of their 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



337 



party as were unable to walk, and continued 
their journey. All of the men and Mrs. Greg- 
son and her mother traveled on foot from 
Humboldt to Johnston's ranch on Bear Creek, 
arriving at that point October 20, 1845. No 
one but those who have passed through a like 
experience can imagine the hardships endured 
by those two brave women. Too tnncli honor 
cannot be awarded to these early pioneers — par- 
ticularly the ladies — who braved the perils and 
hardships of plain, desert, and mountains, and 
paved the way for the great American civiliza- 
tion which followed. They are reaping a portion 
of their reward in .seeing the wilderness of Cali- 
fornia subdued and becoming the garden of the 
world. Soon after his arrival, Mr. Gregson 
proceeded to Sutter's Fort and was employed by 
Captain Sutter as a blacksmith. While at Sut- 
ter's Fort he joined the Bear Flag party and 
served in Captain Edward M. Kern's company 
at the fort. While there he was guard over 
General Vallejo, who was at that time a prisoner 
of the Bear Flag party. He was also one of the 
detail under Captain Burroughs to take horses 
for General Fremont's command from Sutter's 
Fort to Monterey. While in this service he 
was engaged in the battle of Salinas, after which 
he enlisted in Genei-al Fremont's command and 
served under (Captain L. II. Ford. He served 
with this command until they reached Los .\n- 
geles, at which place he was honorably dis- 
charged and returned to Sutter's Fort, where he 
remained until Fel)ruary, 1848. He was then 
sent by Captain Sutter to Coloma, where he 
assisted in erecting the mill which the Captain 
was building at that place. During the time 
he was engaged at ('oloma, gold was discovered. 
Mrs. Gregson has still a small nugget which 
she procured from the Indians in exchange for 
clothing. While residing at Sutter's Fort their 
first child, Anna, was born, September 8, 1846. 
This was the first white chikl born at the Fort, 
anti in the State, and was the subject of much 
comment and wonder to the Indians, who would 
come a distance of forty miles to see the bal)y, 
and coulil not l)e induced to believe it a real 



child until they had pinched it or in some other 
way made it cry. In October, 1848, Mr. Greg- 
son came to Sonoma County, this move being- 
made on account of his ill-health. In 1849, his 
health being much improved, he returned to 
Coloma, and engaged in mining on the Middle 
Fork of the American River. His failing health, 
however, soon compelled him to leave the mines, 
and he engaged in house-building at Sutterville 
until late in the fall of that year. He then re- 
turned to Sonoma County, and in January, 1850, 
settled in Green Valley, Analy Township, and 
commenced tlie cultivation and improvement of 
160 acres of land. Since that time Mr. Greg- 
son has devoted his attention to agricultural 
pursuits. He was the first to break land and 
raise grain in this valley. During this time he 
has been engaged j)rincipally in general farm- 
ing. His land contains a fine orchard of twenty 
acres, chiefly devoted to the production of 
apples, but also contains plums, peaches, apri- 
cots, and such varieties as are grown in his 
section of the county. He has also six acres in 
grape vines, consisting of wine grapes of the 
Mission variety, and also tal)le grapes, such as 
Black Hamburg, Tokay, and Muscat. The rest 
of his land is devoted to hay, grain and stock- 
raising. Among his stock is a dairy of ten 
cows. Mr. (xregson is well known thi-oughout 
the whole community as well as a large portion 
of the State. Wherever known he is universally 
esteemed and respected. His honor and busi- 
ness integrity have ever been unc^uestionable. 
A frank, generous and intelligent gentleman, 
his name is associated with all that is most 
agreeable in the pioneer settlement of Sonoma 
(bounty. He is a consistent member of the 
Methodist church, of which he is a strong sup- 
porter. He has served for many years as school 
trustee in his district, and always takes a deep 
interest in the public schools. He is a member 
of Lafayette Lodge, No. 126, F. & A. M., of 
Sel)astopol. In political matters he is a strong 
and consistent supporter of the Republican 
party, and during the dark days of the Rebellion 
was a strong suj)|iorter of the Fnion. The 



JflsTOJiy OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



names and births ut' Mr. Gregsoii'^ children are 
as foll<>\^■^•. Anna, tlie first white child born at 
SntterV I-'ort, as before stated, married Robert 
N. Iteid and is now residing in Watsonville, 
Santa Crnz County; ^[ary Ellen, born at Colo- 
nni, Septeml>er 25, 1848, married Sylvester 
>rcC'hristian and is residing in Green Valley; 
William F.. born September 24, 1850, married 
Miss Lee Ann Miller, and is now living in 
Stanislaus County; John N., born September 
1, 1S52, married Miss Alma lioyt, and is re- 
siding on the old homestead; Eliza Jane, born 
May 31, 1854, married Thomas B. Butler, living 
at Mark West, Sonoma County; Henry M. 
married Miss Catherine Parks, and is living in 
Green Valley; Adelia J., born March 28, 1858, 
married George A. Fruits (now deceased), and 
she was married a second time to Peter S. 
Baker, living in Fresno County; Caroline, born 
October 21t, 1862. married Edwin Thompson, 
residing in Lincoln County, Washington Terri- 
tory; and Luke B., born March 27, 1868, re- 
sidincr with his parents. 

^.^.^ 

fROFFSSOK WILLIAM C. GRAINGER, 
President ot the lleaklsburg College, 
•^';: is a native of Missouri, born at AVar- 
i-cnsiiuri;-, Johnson County. J.inuary 21, 
IS44, his parents being Andrew 1'.. and Su- 
sanna (Eagan) (irainger. Loth parents were 
natives of Tennessee. The father was a young 
man when his parents settled in Missouri, locat- 
ing in Johnson County, while the mother was a 
o-irl of twelve when she accompanied the family 
to Lafayette County, Missouri. They are now 
residents of Warrensburg. Tiie subject of this 
sketch was reared in his native town, and re- 
ceived the educational advantages aflbrded by 
the local schools. After advancing as far as 
those facilities allowed, he commenced attend- 
ance at the State University, Columbia, 
Missouri, and comjileting the course, graduated 
at that well known institution of learning in 
the class of 1S67. lie had cletenuined to enter 



upoti a professional career, and read law in the 
ottice of one of the leading firms of Warrensburg. 
In 1870 he was admitted to the bar of Johnson 
C^oniity. His legal studies had been vai-ied, 
however, by several terms of teaching, and the 
opportunity which had thus been aft'orded him 
to judge of his prefereiice between the two pro- 
fessions, determined him in his decision to lay 
aside that of the law for the more congenial one 
of letters, lie taught a number of terms of 
school in towns of his native State, among them 
those of Ilolton and Warrensburg. He resigned 
his position in the schools of the latter place in 
1876, and came to California. For two years 
and a half his professional label's were confined 
to Ukiali and Manchester. Lie then removed 
to Santa Rosa to engage in ministerial and mis- 
sionary labors. On the organization of the 
Healdsburg College, in 1882, he was chosen to 
the professorship of Natural Science, and held 
that chair until 1887, when he was called offi- 
cially to the presidency of the college, though 
he had previously been for one year acting 
president. Professor Grainger was married in 
Missouri to Miss Elizabeth J. AVork, a native of 
Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. They have 
three children, viz.: Susanna Margery, Andrew 
B., and Gertrude. Professor Grainger has been 
elder of the Seventh Day Adventist organiza- 
tion at lleald.-burg since INSH. lie lias also 
been one of the trustees of the church, and is 
now secretary and treasurer of the college 
board. He combines in an eminent degree the 
necessary educational attainments and the power 
of control by kindness, so requisite in the holder 
of his important trust as president of the college. 

j^^EORGE J. RAGLE.— Among the pioneers 
Wjr of (ireen Valley, Analy Township, none are 
W^ more deserving of mention than the above 
named gentleman, a brief resume of whose life is 
as follows: Mr. Ragle was born in Sullivan 
County, Tennessee, July 5, 182(5. His parents, 
Georcre and Margaret (Miller) Ragle, were na- 



UISTORY OF SOyOMA COUNTi\ 



tives of Virginia, and both of German tlescent. 
Ills father was a fanner, to which life tlie sub- 
ject of this sketch was reared, receiving a limited 
education. When nineteen years of age he 
left home and worked at farm labor in Scott 
County, Virginia, until 1847, when he moved 
to Lafayette County, Missouri, where he worked 
on a farm until IS-HI. On the 10th of April of 
that year he started overland with o\ teams for 
California, and after undergoing the hardshijis 
and trials attendant upon an overland trip, he 
arrived in this State September 1st, ami went 
to mining in Bear Valley. This life did not 
suit him. and after nine weeks of mining expe- 
rience he came to Sonoma County. In the 
spring of 1850 he engaged in teaming from the 
Russian River to Sonoma, and continued this 
occupation until the fall of that year, when he 
purchased eighty acres of land in (ireen \'alley. 
This land was in an entirely wild and unculti- 
vated state, but with characteristic energy he 
commenced clearing and cultivating. lie paid 
for a portion of it by splitting rails for Ja.sper 
O' Farrell. He soon had a house erected and 
other improvements made, and in 1854 mai-ried 
Miss Margaret Jane Fruits, the daugliter of Ja- 
cob Fruits, a native of Indiana, but residing in 
Sonoma County. Mr. Ragle was successful in 
his farming operations and from time to time 
increased his landed jjossessioiis. until \\r now 
owns 325 acres. His farm is in the Spring Hill 
School District, one and one-half miles west of 
Sebastopol. He has an orchard of ten acres, 
producing apples and peaches; sixty acres of 
timber, the balance being devoted to hay, grain, 
and stock purposes. The western portion of the 
farm, 132 acres, is under the charge of Air. Ila- 
gle's adopted son, who has a dairy of twenty 
cows, and twenty-iive bead of cattle for market 
purposes; also seventy head of sheep and other 
stock. Mr. Ragle's straightforward and consist- 
ent course of life, honest dealing, and maidy 
qualities have gained him the respect ami 
esteem of the community in which he has lived 
for over thirty-eight years. He is a consistent 
member of the Cuml'erland rresbvtcriau 



church, also a member of Lafayette Lodge, 
No. 12t), F. ic A. M., of Sebastopol. In politics 
he was a Democrat until 1860, but the seces- 
sion movement in that year did not agree with 
his Union principles, and he joined the Repub- 
lican ranks, for a i&w years, and then returned 
to his former party. No children have blessed 
the union of Mr. and Mrs. Ragle, but they have 
a son l)y adoption, Alexander Rarnett Ragle, 
the son of Robinson Ragle. This son is mar- 
ried to Alice Miller, daugliter of Thomas Mil- 
ler, of Sonoma County, and as before stated, is 
conducting a portion of his adopted father's 
farm. 



^' • — ^ '"^FT-^y- - — • "^ 

%R. ABSALOM BOYLESSTLART,theson 
in of James Wesley and Mary Ann (^Boyles) 
''-10 Stuart, was born at Williamsburg, Penn- 
sylvania, August 27, 1830. He was educated 
in Lewisburg University, Berkshire Medical 
College and Bellevue Hospital Meilical College. 
He was graduated from Berkshire Aledical (_'ol- 
lege with the degree of M. 1). in 1850, ami ten 
years later from Bellevue. Upon i-eceiving his 
first degree in medicine Dr. Stuart commenced 
practice in West Hampton, Massachusetts. He 
soon after moved to Doddsville, and thence to 
Macomli, Illinois; in Hoddsvillc he married 
Aliss .\nabel Mc(raughey in 1851*. In August, 
1801, he was commissioned Assistant Surgeon 
of the Tenth Missouri Regiment United States 
Infantry; in the winter of 1862-'3 was ap- 
pointed l)y General Rosecrans Medical Superin- 
tendent of Hospitals at Inka, Mississippi, in 
A]iril, 1803, was promoted to Surgeon and as- 
signed to the First Alabama United States 
(yavalry — a regiment raised in tiiat State, and 
commanded by northern officers. While vol- 
untarily assisting in the construction of defenses 
Dr. Stuart received accidental injuries from 
which he iie\er recovered, and the etfects of 
which compelled him to resign and retire from 
the service in January, 1804. Returning to 
Macomb, he slu.irtly after moved to Winona, 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Minnesota, where he soon attained a very ex - 
tensive practice and took rank among the tirst 
physicians of tliat State. The rigors of that 
northern climate proving too severe for liis en- 
feebled health he immigrated to California with 
Ills family in 1870, settling in Los Angeles. 
Not receiving the desired benefit, he removed 
to iSanta Barbara which afforded liim temporary 
relief. Finding it necessary to again seek for 
climatic benefits they came to Santa Rosa in 
1881, and here passed the last six years of his 
life. At all these points Dr. Stuart practiced 
his j)rofession, and was highly esteemed both as 
a physician and a gentleman of irreproachable 
character and life. Like all men who win the 
respect and confidence of their fellows, Dr. 
Stuart was possessed of a strong individuality 
and inflexible integrity in adhering to his con- 
victions of the right. All worthy moral and 
etiucational enterprises received his hearty sup- 
port, as well as that of his esteemed professional 
and life- partner, his wife. Mary Stuart Ilall, 
one of the buildings of the California Baptist 
College, was named for their lovely deceased 
daughter in memory of a munificent contri- 
bution of slO,000 given by Doctors Stuart to 
that institution of learning. AVhile engaged in 
active practice Dr. A. B. Stuart gave especial 
attention to surgery, in which he achieved con- 
siderable renown among the profession by a 
number of capital operations he performed. He 
was a member ot the Winona County Medical 
Society, and its president in 1872; first vice- 
president of the Minnesota State Medical So- 
ciety in 1874 and 1876 ; served as secretary in 
1873 of the section on State medicine and pub- 
lic hygiene. He was instrumental in organizing 
\\w Minnesota State IJoard of Health in 1872, 
and was its first president. In the same year 
he was elected teacher of surgery in the AVi- 
nona Preparatory Medical School, and its presi- 
dent in 1878. In 187i) he was chosen a delegate 
to the International Medical Congress at I'hila- 
delphia. Dr. Stuart was quite a liV)eral con- 
tributor to the press on subjects pertaining to 
medical science, among the most important being 



the " Annual Report of the Minnesota State 
Board of Health for 1873;"' " The Upper Epiph- 
ysis of the Radius," published in the "Trans- 
actions of the Minnesota State Medical Society " 
in 187*). After years of severe suffering. Dr. 
Stuart passed away July 80, 1887. The funeral 
sermon was preached b}' Rev. S. S. Fisk, pastor 
of the Baptist cliureh of which Dr. Stuart had 
been a consistent member for many years; and 
the burial rites were conducted by the Masonic 
order and the Grand Army of the Republic. Of 
Dr. Absalom Boyles Stuart it could truly be said 
none knew him but to rt'spoct and admire him. 



I^XABEL McG. STUART, M. D., one of 

jijv^B the most prominent and successful physi- 
cians in Sonoma County, is a worthy 
illustration of what may be achieved by woman 
in the medical j)rofession. with energy and in- 
telligent, well-directed etfort, despite of diffi- 
culties and trials such as fall to the lot of but 
few people. She is the eldest child of Hugh 
F. and Jane (Walker) McGa\ighey, natives of 
Pennsylvania, and was born in IMartinsburtf, 
Virginia, May 4, 1840. Her father was a prom- 
inent contractor in the construction of the 
Baltimore «fc Ohio Railroad. Li the fall of 
1849 he moved with his family to Macomb, 
Illinois, where he spent the last active years ot 
his life in farming, and where both he and his 
wife died in 1868. The subject of this memoir 
was educated in Macomb, and in September. 
1859, was united in marriage with ^Vbsalom B. 
Stuart, a j-ising young physician of that city. 
On the 2nd of August, 18()1, her husband en- 
tered the United States army as Assistant 
Surgeon of the Tenth Missouri Infantry; and 
during the two years and a half of his active 
and conspicuous services in the medical dejiart- 
ment of the army his young wife spent many 
months with him acting as nurse and assistant 
in his arduous duties in various ways. Failing 
health compelling her husband to resign his 
position in January, 1864, he returned home; 



Hlnruli)' oF SONOMA COUSTY. 



343 



and in the spring of 1866 they moved to Wi- 
nona, Minnesota. Soon after tlieir marriage 
Mrs. Stuart's husband began to persuade her to 
.<tndy medicine, but domestic duties and her 
natural <iislii<e to j)nblic life were sufficient 
reasons, to lier mind, for declining to accede to 
his requests for some years. Wishing to aid 
and encourage him in every way possible in his 
professional work, Mr>. Stuart linally yielded to 
his importunities and began studying; and 
having decided upon this course, she pursued 
the work with lier characteristic energy and 
perseverance. When prepared, she attended a 
course of lectures at the Women's Medical (^ol- 
le^e in Philadelphia, l*a., in 187l)-'7. The 
latter part of the following summer they came 
to California with the hope of restoring iier 
husband's broken health, and located in Los 
Angeles. Mrs. Stuart continued her studies, 
and in tlie summer and fall of 1878 attended 
the Medical College of the Pacilic (now the 
Cooper Medical College), and was graduated 
therefrom November 5, 1878. From that time 
until the death of her husband in 1887, Mrs. 
Dr. Stuart practiced medicine as a partner with 
him in Santa Barbara and Santa Rosa, settling 
in the latter city in 1881. Her professional 
career has been one of marked success from tlie 
beginning, and she now enjoys a practice 
eijualed in extent and prollt by few physicians 
in the interior of the State. Thus her skill in 
battling with human aihnents is demonstrated 
beyond ipiestion. Though studiously devoting 
herself to her profession Dr. Stuart always 
found time to cherish and brighten the home 
life of those whom love had bound to her by 
the sacred ties of wifehood and motiierhood. 
And in the severing of these ties one by one 
consisted the bitter sorrow of lier life. She is 
the mother of three children all of whom she 
has followed to the grave, each being the only 
child when the dread Reaper cut it down. Two 
of them past-ed away in infancy; Ijut Mary 
Stuart, the third daughter, lived until almost 
ready to bloom into a charming yonng woman- 
hood, before she fell a victim to the relentless 



destroyer. Mary Stuart was a child possessed 
of those rare qualities of mind and heart which 
command "love at first sigiit " of every one who 
came in contact with her. With brightness of 
intellect, bordering or precocity, was joined a 
sweet amiability of spirit which drew everyone 
to her as with the power of a magnet. She was 
born in Winona, Minnesota, October 31, 1871, 
and died August 28. 1883. In the home and 
the hearts she had filled with sunshine her death 
was like'a total eclipse of the sun. Her fond 
father never recovered from the shock, and fol- 
lowed her four years later; while her mother 
cherishes her memory as the jewel of her life. 
Since the Medical College o( the Pacific was 
merged into the Cooper Medical College Dr. .V. 
McG. Stuart has received the honorary degree of 
M. D. from the latter institution. She is an hon- 
ored member of the State Medical Societyof Cali- 
fornia, and of the American JMedical Association. 

^,+|.^„j..||+.^.„. 

fA. ROGERS resides near the city limits 
east of Santa Rosa, and is one of the 
® county's leading horticulturists and one 
of its most active citizens. Mr. Rogers dates 
his birth in Wayne County, Pennsylvania, May 
24, 1837, son of Clayton and Tryphosia Rogers. 
The family is one of the oldest known to the 
history of Pennsylvania. The subject of this 
sketch is a lineal descendant of JohnRogers, one 
of the Penn colonists, who bought his land of 
William Penn at 6^ cents per acre. A long line 
of descendants, scattered from the Atlantic to 
the Pacific, look back with pride to their com- 
mon ancestor, John Rogers, the sterling, honest 
(^uakei', one of the Peim colonists. E. A. Rogers 
was thirteen years of age when his father, with 
his family, moved from Pennsylvania and lo- 
cated in Dane ('ounty, Wisconsin. Four years 
later they removed to Towerville, Crawford 
County, the same State. The parents tiiei'c 
passed their remaining days, tlieir lives of great 
nsefidness having been prolonged to an ad- 
vanced age. In the near vicinity of the parental 



BISTORT OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



home tlie family of children, one after aiiotlier, 
commenced life fur themselves, principally in 
Veraou,an adjoining county, and Vernon County 
never liad better men. The writer of this sketcli, 
an old acquaintance and friend of the family, 
wishes to record that for devoted loyalty and 
manhood the family was excelled by none. 
When the call for volunteers came to suppress 
the slave holder's rebellion, the live Rogers boys 
at once entered the service, and for soldierly bear- 
ing under all circumstances they were second to 
none. Several of them held commissions before 
the struggle was over. The old Quaker ele- 
ment in their blood seemed to have entirely dis- 
appeared, lieturniug to the peaceful walks of 
life they became as useful citizens as they had 
been soldiers, and in business, political and so- 
cial circles, have been ever since prominent. E. 
A. Rogers, whose name heads this sketch, served 
in the engineer corps, attached to the Army of 
the Potomac. Returning to Wisconsin he, 
February 18, 1860, wedded in Vernon County, 
that State, Miss Louisa Williams, who was born 
in Walworth County. Mr. Rogers followed 
acrricultural pursuits in Vernon County, Wis- 
consin, until 1874, when, feeling the need of a 
more congenial climate and a more congenial 
avocation, he came to Sonoma County. Mr. 
Rogers has a good home, which, situated as it is, 
only one and one-half miles east of the court 
house, gives him all the .social advantages of a 
city residence. Connected with his residence 
are twenty-two and one-half acres of the choicest 
of Santa Rosa Valley land. Fifteen acres are 
devoted to orchard, where we find the choicest 
peaches, Rartlett pears, French prunes, apples, 
etc. Although but fourteen years a resident of 
Sonoma County, l\'\v men are iiioi-e widely or 
favorably known than the subje(!t of thi.s sketch. 
Much of the success Sonoma County lias had 
in its exhibits at the Mechanics' fair at San 
Francisco, must be attributed to the energy and 
skill of its executive committee. The exhibit 
made this year (1888), in which the county, 
without the aid of any public appropriation was 
enabled to win the second prize, it^tiOO (Santa 



Clara County taking the first), must largely 
be attributed to ]\[r. Rogers, who, associated 
with S. II. Shaw of Sonoma, was in charge. 
Sonoma County received the first prize, s75,on 
wine grapes; tir&t prize, -Mo, on olive oil and 
olives, and the iirst prize, 825, on hops. The 
county has no more enthusiastic believer in its 
grand future in horticulture and viticulture 
than the subject of this sketch, and to the hast- 
ening of the ''good time coming" he devotes 
much of his jireseiit. Politically, Mr. Rogers 
is a radical Repulilicaii. 1 n Odd Fellowship he 
is prominent, and affiliates with Santa Rosa 
Lodge, No. 53: Santa Rosa Encampment, Santa 
Rosa Canton, and he and his wife are both 
members of Oak Leaf Rebecca Lodge, No. 74. 
Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have four children: 
George, Will, and Flattie and Howard (twins|. 



^S=^ 



i^)^ 



f>LEXAXDER C. M. MEANS is one of 
V Sononui"s most tried and efficient teachers, 
"^^ having first entered the jirofession of 
teaching in this county in 1S65, aTid been most 
of the time since then engaged in educational 
work. Jle came to California with his pai-ents 
from his native State, Alabama, in 1855. llis 
father, Ur. S. A. McMeans, practiced medicine 
for some years in California, and when the silver 
mining excitement arose in Nevada, he removed 
to Virginia City, and there pursued his profes- 
sion for manj' years. Dr. McMeans died in 
Reno, Nevada, in 1876. Mr. McMeans came 
to Sonoma County in 1864 from Yolo County, 
where he had been attending Woodland College, 
and, as above stated, began teaching the follow- 
ing year. In 1871 he was elected principal of 
the Santa Rosa schools, which position he lilled 
three years, resigning it in 1874 to enter upon 
the duties of county superintendent of schools, 
to which he had been elected. lie was re- 
elected for a second term and served four years 
in that office, hi the meantime he had become 
interested in a mining company organized in 
Santa Rosa, and known as the McMillan Mining 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Company, whose property was situated near 
Globe City, Arizona, and on retiring from the 
office of county superintendent, was chosen 
secretary of the company. At the end of two 
years he resij^ned the secretaryship, and in 1880 
opened in Santa Rosa a private normal school 
for preparing teachers to pass the required ex- 
aminations for teaching. lie has conducted his 
scliool ever since with success, except two j'ears, 
1883 and 1884, when he was elected to and 
tilled the office of recorder and auditor of So- 
nonia County. His school embraces strictly a 
normal course, and during its existence has pre- 
pared about 250 teachers to obtain certificates. 
The past year he has ei'ected a building lor his 
school near his residence on East Third street, 
wliich has a capacity of about torty students, 
and is well equipped for school purposes. The 
school year consists of two terms of tive months 
each. He has ever been an energetic worker in 
every educational held looking toward the intel- 
lectual advancement and moral elevation ot 
youth. He has been for sevei'al years and is 
now a member of the Santa Rosa School Board, 
and was its president during the year 1877. 
Mr. McMeans married Miss Carrie R. Brown, 
of San Jose, in July, 1885. 



fOHN P. RODGERS, a prominent member 
of the Sonoma County bar and an enter- 
prising citizen of Petaluma, is a native of 
Andrew County, Missouri, and was born Sep- 
tember 24, 1849. He is a son of Alexander 
W. Rodgers, a sketch of whom appears in this 
work. He came to the State in 1854, with his 
parents, and to Petaluma in 1856. He attended 
the public schools of tliis city and afterward the 
Pacilic Methodist College at Vacaville, and sub- 
sequently the Baptist College of Petaluma, an 
institution which has since been closed. In 
1867 he retired from his school studies and en- 
tered the employ of the San Francisco & Hum- 
boldt Bay Railroad, afterward changed to the 
San Francisco cfe North Paciiic. He remained 



in the employ of the company until 1869, and 
from that date to 1872 was engaged in the real 
estate business with his father. In 1872 he 
began the study of law with Hon. George Pearce, 
of Sonoma County, with whom he remained 
until the spring of 1875. In April of this year 
he was elected assessor for the city of Petaluma, 
and held the office until the following Decem- 
ber, when he was elected copying clerk for the 
Assembly of the State of California. After the 
close of tlie session of the Legislature of 187G 
he returned to Petaluma, in the meantime 
having been admitted to the practice of law by 
the District Court o: Sonoma County. In July 
of the same year he was appointed deputy dis- 
trict attorney for Sonoma Count}', which posi- 
tion he held under Barclay Henley, W. E. 
McConuell and A. B. Ware, until the 1st of 
January, 1883. The same year he formed a 
co-partnership with Hon. M. E. C. Munday, 
under the firm name of Rodgers & Munday, 
which relation existed up to March, 1888, when 
the firm was dissolved, Mr. Munday moving to 
Los Angeles, and the business in Petaluma be- 
ing prosecuted by Mr. Rodgers. In April, 
1885, he was elected city attorney of the citj' of 
Petaluma, which position he now holds. Mr. 
Rodgers was admitted to the bar by the Supreme 
Court of California, November 10, 1879, and by 
the United States Circuit Court March 2, 1887. 
His marriage to Miss Frances J. Hinkle, a na- 
tive of this State, was celebrated December 3, 
1879, by which union they have three children, 
one son and two daughters. 

flRAH LUCE, of Healdsburg, is a repre- 
sentative of one of the long resident fami- 
lies of Sonoma County. He was born at 
Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts, October 3, 
1843, and is the son of Jirah, Sr., and Mary 
(Cottle) Luce. In 1849 the father became one 
of a party organized to go to California. This 
company purchased a small vessel and made the 
journey around Cape Horn to San FranciscQ. 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



He was an energetic man and was soon estab- 
lished in business. He followed mining, and 
was also engaged in the carrying trade with a 
vessel. In 1857 he sent for his famiij, who 
joined him at San Francisco. In 18(i2 he re- 
moved to Sonoma Connty, locating at Healds- 
burg. He purchased a ranch some three miles 
from Healdsburg, wliich is now owned by his 
sons. While a resident of Healdsburg he held 
the office of justice of the peace and judge of 
the police court. His dea:th occurred in 1881. 
His widow, who survives him, resides in Healds- 
buri;. Jirah Luce, the subject of this sketch, 
was in his fourteenth year when he accompa- 
nied his mother to California, and lie was reared 
to manhood in this State. He was married on 
the 10th of March, 1886, to Nina Matheson, 
daughter of Colonel Rod. Matheson, whose 
sketch follows. They have two children: Mary 
Antoinette and >.'ina. Mr. Luce's ranch on 
Russian River comprises over 300 acres of land, 
and is devoted to stock-raising, fruit and vines. 
On the place there are forty acres of wine grapes, 
all choice varieties, which are in first-class con- 
dition. The orchard consists of ten acres, 
mostly peaches, prunes and pears. Mr. Luce's 
portion of the home ranch consists of 300 acres 
adjoining Healdsburg. On this place there are 
thirteen acres of orchard, set out in 1883, con- 
sisting of peaches, plums and prunes. There 
are also seven acres of vineyard, planted in 
1884. The grapes are ])rincipally Zinfandel, 
and are all wine varieties. 



m^m 



fOLOXEL RODERICK N. MATHESON, 
one of the distinguished men of Sonoma 
, -County, whohave passed away, was a na- 
tive of Inverness, Scotland, born in 1825, and 
son of Tliomas and Jane Matheson. When in 
his fifteenth year he accompanied his parents on 
their removal to America, locating in New York 
City. Tiiere the father engaged in a business 
career, and the subject of this sketch was reared 
in the metropolis. In 1844 he was married to 



Miss Antoinette Seaman, a native of New York. 
He soon afterward removed to Cleveland, Ohio, 
and. was there engaged in the real estate busi- 
ness tor three ^-ears. He then returned to New 
York City and resumed his connection with a 
large importing house with which he had been 
formerly associated. He had given up mercan- 
tile life, and had commenced teaching school, 
when the California gold fever came on, and he 
found the temptation to join the throng bound 
for tiie west more than he could resist. Early 
in 1849 he took passage on a vessel bound for 
California via Cape Horn. The vo3'age was a 
rough and lengthy one, and was not completed 
without the vessel on which he was a passenger 
being compelled to })ut into a South American 
port to avoid shipwreck. After a brief experi- 
ence in the mines, he located in San Francisco, 
and his talent soon brought him into prominence. 
He took an active part in every project cal- 
culated to advance the interests of the city of his 
adoption, and helped to organize the Mechanic's 
Institute, and became its president. In 1852 he 
was made controller of San Francisco. He was 
an active member of the lire department and one 
of the founders of Vigilant Engine Company, 
No. 9, and a member of the Marion RiHes. In 
1854 he was appointed a General of Division of 
the Mexican army, and Resident Commissioner 
of Mexico in San Francisco. By his effective 
aid in this capacity he contributed largely to 
the successes of Alvarez and Comonfort. His 
Mexican commission w'as contirmed by Juarez, 
then Chief Justice of Mexico, and was still in 
force at the time of his decease. In 1856 he 
removed to Sonoma County with his family and 
located on a farm adjoining Healdsburg. He 
cultivated his land and at the same time was 
engaged in teaching, and founded the Alexander 
Academy. He went to Washington to attend 
the inauguration of President Lincoln, and 
there met Colonel E. D. Baker. He was in 
New York City when the war broke out, and 
immediately became conspicuous in the further- 
ance of the Union cause, taking a leading part 
in organizing the First California (or Thirty- 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNT Y. 



second New York) Regiment, of which he was 
chosen Colonel. He was soon at the front with 
the coininand and participated in the first Bnll 
Una fiujht. Through the Peninsular campaign 
he led his command, and at the hattleof Cramp- 
ton Gap, or Cheat Mountain, on the lltli of 
September, 18G2, he was woundetl so severely 
while leading his regiment in a charge, that his 
death resulted on the 2d of October. His re- 
mains were taken to New York City, and lay 
in state in the (rovernor's room of tlie city hall 
nntil October 9, when the body was taken to 
Green Street Methodist Episcopal Chnrch and 
funeral services held. The Seventy-first New 
Yorlc Regiment was a guard of honor, and the 
lollowing noted men acting as pall-bearers: 
Generals John C. Fiemont and John S. Ellis, 
Hons. E. F. Burton, C. K. Garrison, F. F. 
Low, Samuel B. Smith and J. A. McUougall, 
Dr. Eugene Crowell, George Wilkes, Henry 
Thompson and Eugene Kell}-. After the ser- 
vices the remains were placed on the California 
steamer. Extensive preparations were made 
for the obsequies at San Francisco, the leading 
men and organizations of the city being active 
in the matter. At the meeting held to devise the 
j)lans for the funeral, the following gentlemen 
were designated as pall-bearers: His Excellency, 
Leland Stanford, Hons. Ogden Hott'man, T. 
G. Phelps, F. M. Pixley, Ira^ P. Rankin, H. F. 
Tischemacher, Messrs. J. B. Thomas, R. E. 
Rimond, W. Ralston, E. T. Batturs, Benjamin 
F. Freeman, Eugene L. Sullivan, E. W. Leonard, 
H. A. Cobb, W^ M. Lent and Colonel W. D. 
Thompson. The First California Guard was 
the guard of honor which received the remains 
at San Francisco. After tiie services there the 
body was taken to Healdsbnrg for interment. 
The Petaluma Guard and Emmet Rifles met 
the cortege at Petaluma, the Santa Rosa Mili- 
tary Company at that place, and all that was 
mortal of Colonel Matheson was laid in its last 
resting place at Healdsbnrg on the 9th of 
November, 1802, amid the universal sorrow of 
the community. Colonel Matheson was the 
father of six chiKlren. The oldest, Emma, who 



was born in Ohio, died when a mere child; 
Roderick, who was born in New York, was 
killed in a threshing nuichine accident at Davis- 
ville, July 27, 1870; Frank died when twenty- 
one months old, at Healdsbnrg; George was 
killed in November, 1887. There was also a 
child that died in infancy. Mrs. Colonel Mathe- 
son died the 28tli of February, 1884. Mrs. 
Nina Luce, the third child, is the only one re- 
maining of the children of Colonel Matheson, 
one of California's noblest heroes. 



1 HOMAS B. MILLER.— Among the pio- 



rif neer and representative farmers of Sonoma 
^' County is the subject of this sketch, a brief 
resume of wliose life is herewith given. Mr. 
Miller was born December 31, 1826, in Rhea 
County, Tennessee. His father, James P. Miller, 
was a native of Virginia, who went to Tennessee 
in hisyouth. Hismother,Cliarlotte(Bell)Miller, 
was a nativeof Tennessee. In 1830 Mr. Miller's 
father moved to Alabama, and five years later to 
Arkansas. In 1840 he located in Newton 
County, Missouri, where he remained two years 
and returned to Benton County, Arkansas, 
where lie resided nntil 1846, when he entered the 
United States military service as a Lieutenant in 
the Twelfth Regiment of the United States In- 
fantry, and served witli distinction throno-hout 
the Mexican war. Resigning his commission at 
the close of the war he returned to his family, 
and in 1849, accompanied by his sons, Thomas 
B. and Gideon T. Miller, came overland to Cali- 
fornia and located at what was afterward known 
as Millerstown, near Auburn". There he opened 
a general merchandise store, and later went to 
Washington on the Yni)a River, where he con- 
tinued his mercantile pursuits until 1850, when 
he returned East. The subject of this sketch 
upon liis arrival at Sacramento, proceeded to the 
mines in Placer County, near Auburn. There 
he was engaged until the spring of 1850, 
when he went to Nevada City, Nevada County, 
Califoi'iiia, making ijuite a strike and being 



848 



HISTORY OF aONOMA COUNTY. 



very successful in his mining operations tiiere. 
lie went from there to the middle fork of 
the Yiiha River and was engaged with thirteen 
others in digging a large ditch which turned 
the middle fork of the river fiom its bed. This 
enterprise was a failure as far as finding gold 
was concerned. Mr. Miller then went to Cache 
Creek in Yolo County, and spent the winter at 
that place in farm operations. Not being suited 
with the locatior, in the fall of 1851 he came to 
Sonoma County and engaged in farming near 
what is now Sebastopol. In 1852 he went to 
Bluchei Valley, about three miles south of Se- 
bastopol, and there entered into farm operations. 
April 17, 1853, he was united in marriage with 
Miss Mary Ann King, daughter of James and 
Elizabeth (Horn) King. Her parents were na- 
tives of Virginia, and resided in Missouri Ijefore 
they came to California in 1850. The subject 
of this sketch resided in Blucher Valley until 
1853 and then moved to a farm near Tomales in 
Marin County. In 1855 he took up his resi- 
dence upon 160 acres of land near Ilealdsburg, 
on the Ilussian liiver. He iirst bought the set- 
tler's claim to this land and afterward was com- 
pelled to purchase the claims of the grant-holders. 
There he engaged in farming and in stock- 
raising on the coast until 1874. He then sold 
out, came to Santa Kosa, and purchased 320 
acres of land on the river road, in the Hall school 
district, about five miles west of Santa Rosa. 
Since that date Mr. Miller has devoted his at- 
tention to the cultivation and improvement of 
his farm, and now ranks among the leading and 
successful farmers of his section of the county. 
He has lifty-tive acres devoted to hop cultiva- 
tion, and two dry houses for curing the hops. 
These buildings are each 80 x 24 feet with 20 
feet studding. The capacity of these dryers is 
four tons of green hops daily. He has also 
thirty acres of orchard, comprising twelve acres 
of French prunes, and twelve acres of peaches. 
The rest of the orchard is producing apples, 
pears, plums and cherries. He also has a family 
vineyard which produces both wine and table 
grapes. The balance of his In.nd is devoted to 



hay, grain and stock. Among the latter are 
some tine JS'orman horses, and cattle improved 
with Durham and Jersey stock. Mr. Miller is 
an active and ])ublic-fpirited citizen, deeply in- 
terested in all enterprises that tend to advance 
the interests of Sonoma County. In political 
matters he is Democratic, but is very liberal 
and conservative in his views. He is a consist- 
ent member of the Christian church. From the 
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Miller ten children 
are living, viz. : James P., born May 8.1854, 
married Miss Birdie Brown, is living in Green 
Valley; Charlotte E., born February 24, 1857, 
married E. H. rarnell, residing in Colusa 
County; Thomas B., born January 6,1859, liv- 
ing on Mark West Creek; Louisa H., born 
January 8, 1861, married S. "VV. Purrington, 
residing in Green Valley; Mary Alice, born 
December 19, 1862, married Alexander Ragle, 
living in Green Valley; Irene B., born Novem- 
ber 1, 1864, married S. E. Ballard, residing in 
Shasta County; Josephine, born November 14, 
1866; Laura E., born August 27, 1869; Hen- 
rietta, born October 27, 1871, and Robert L., 
born June 25, 1876, residing with their parents. 

'^^^ 



? MATHER, of the Santa Rosa Flour Mills, 
and the subject of this sketch, was born 
'^ in England and came to this country at 
the early age of thirteen. Landing at Phila- 
delphia, he worked his way to Salt Lake City, 
arriving late in the fall of 1859. The snow 
falling soon after, he remained in that city dur- 
ing the winter, earning his subsistence as clerk 
with one of the merchants. In the summer of 
1860 he engaged to assist in driving a herd of 
cattle to California, and being cheated out of 
his wages, landed in the State without a cent in 
money or a coat to his back. We have no doubt 
but our young friend tinding himself among 
strangers in a strange land, had many longings 
for the comforts of his old home, Init like many 
others who had preceded him and endured the 
hardships of a journey across the plains, though 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



considerably humbled his liopes were not 
crushed; althouirli penniless he was not entirely 
discouraged but struck out for work and got it, 
being employed on a ranch, where he remained 
for several months. Having recommendations 
and letters of introduction from his former em- 
ployer in Salt Lake City to merchants in Sac- 
ramento and San Francisco, and not liking the 
life of a farmer, when his earnings were suffi- 
cient (as he termed it) to buy a ])resentable rig, 
he visited those cities, but received no encour- 
agement as the places were swarming with 
clerks waiting for engagements. Not having 
means to live in idleness and being desirous of 
earning sometliing he returned again to the 
shades of a country farm, wliere he saved up 
$500, which he loaned to a friend and lost both 
the friend and the money. Feeling a little sore 
over tlie loss lie continued to work and com- 
menced saving again, but being oifered a situa- 
tion in a ilour mill, he left the farm and 
accepted it and learned the trade. His wages at 
Hrst in his new vocation were small, but were 
gradually increased, and interest being high in 
those days, by sticking to work and loaning out 
his money, the end of five years found him the 
happy possessor of the snug sum of $5,000 
About this time his emploj'er and instructor 
erected another flour mill, and he loaned him 
the money. Reverses came; his employer died, 
and in the general wreck he lost the $5,000. 
This last stroke of ill luck was a sad blow to 
his ambition and nearly paralyzed his efforts, 
but fortunately he made the ac(|uaintance of a 
gentleman who listened to a recital of his mis- 
fortunes with interest, and wliose kind advice 
and assistance inspired him with new hopes, 
and to whose good counsel and encouragement 
Mr. Mather acknowledges a debt he can never 
repay. Through the influence of this friend he 
leased a flour mill he formerly built and owned 
in partnership, and rati it successfully for three 
years, when the mill was sold to a miller. He 
then moved to the adjoining county of Lake, 
where he again established himself in the mill- 
ing business by renting a flour mill and liuying 



an undivided one-half of another. Having had 
a period of success, in 1873 he bought the 
Lower Lake Brewery, which he operated in con- 
junction with a partner for a number of years. 
Desirous of still further extending his enter- 
prises, in 1878 he purchased a half interest in a 
general merchandise store. In 1880 the Santa 
Rosa mills wereoftered for sale, and Mr. Mather 
wishing to return to his earlj' associations 
bought the property for $15,000. Taking an- 
other miller in company, they did a profitable 
business for several years, when the roller pro- 
cess was introduced, and our enterprising friend 
not deeming it good policy to be left behind, 
associated with him the late E. T. Farmer, 
president of the Santa Rosa Bank, and had the 
mill enlarged and changed to the new system, 
putting in the very latest and most improved 
machinery. lie bought the adjoining splendid 
brick warehouse, incurring an additional outlay 
of nearly $40,000, making it one of the most 
perfect and complete milling plants in the State, 
an honor to the town, beneficial to the people 
and a crowning monument of perseverance and 
unyielding resolve. 



II S A AC W. SULLIVAN.— Among the early 
l| settlers of Green Valley is the subject of 
■=55- this sketch, who is one «of the pioneers of 
the Pacific Coast. Mr. Sullivan is a native of 
Knox County, Kentucky, and dates his birth 
March 29, 1807. His parents, James and 
Eleanor (Wilson) Sullivan, were natives of Vir- 
ginia, and were among the early settlers of Ken- 
tucky. His father was a Mefliodist minister 
and also a farmer, and to this latter occupation 
Mr. Sullivan was reared, a calling which he pur- 
sued in Kentucky until 1839. In that year )ie 
came as far west as Fort Independence and e" 
gaged as a teamster and wagon master wit'n a 
party of traders bound for Santa Fc, New Mex- 
ico. From that place he returned to Missouri, 
in 1840. While engaged in this service he 
narrowly escaped death at the hands of the 



nisronr of sonojia countt. 



Indians. In one battle lie received a bullet 
through his hat, the ball just missing his 
head. In 18-iO he located in Cooper County, 
Missouri, where he engaged in fanning and 
stock-raising until 1843. He then moved to 
Buchanan County, and there pursued the same 
calling until 1845. In this latter year lie came 
overland to Oregon. Alter months of trials and 
hardships upon the then almost unknown trails 
of plains, deserts, and niountaiiis, he arrived in 
Oregon, and located at Portland, which then 
consisted of but one log cabin. There he took 
up government land and engaged in farming, 
and also other occupations, among them work 
upon the first wharf ever built in that now 
enter]n-ising city. In 1847 he joined the forces 
organized for suppressing the Cayuse Indians, 
who had massacred the missionary, I)r. Whit- 
man and his family at Walla Walla, AVashing- 
ton Territory. He was First Lieutenant of Cap- 
tain Thompson's cavalry company, under com- 
mand of Colonel Cornelius Gilliam. The whole 
force of troops comprised six companies. He was 
engaged in this Indian war, called the Cayuse 
war. for six months, or until its close, when the 
Indians were whipped and driven out of the 
country. As an officer and soldier, Mr. Sulli- 
van took a prominent part in all of the many 
iights that occurred during that memorable 
campaign. In 1849 he returned to Portland 
and resumed his w^k until he came to Califor- 
nia. After spending about a year in the mines 
in El Dorado Count\% he came to Sonoma 
County and located in Green Valley, in what is 
now the (Jak Grove School District. He is thus 
one of the pioneers of the valley. In 1851 Mr. 
Sullivan was united in marriage with Miss Alary 
Gilliam, daughter of ilitchell and Rachael 
riaylor) Gilliam, who were residents of Sonoma 
County. She was born in Kentucky, but her 
parents were natives of Georgia. ' Since Mr. 
Sullivan has made his home in Green Yalley, 
he has devoted himself entirely to agricultural 
pursuits. lie is the owner of 140 acres of land, 
devoted mostly to general farming. Fifty-five 
acres are in hay and grain, six acres in apples. 



four in peaches, and the rest in pasture. Mr. 
Sullivan has led a quiet and somewliat unevent- 
ful life, devoting himself to his calling and the 
care and rearing of his family. His consistent 
course in all public and private matters has 
gained him the esteem and respect of the com- 
munity in which he resides. Mrs. Sullivan died 
in November, 1885, leaving eleven children, 
viz.: James M., who married Miss Elizabeth J. 
Hicks, living in Del iS'orte County; John W., 
married Ettie McReynolds, and is residing in 
Santa Barbara County; Cornelius G., married 
Frances J. McQuade, living in Guerneville, So- 
noma County; iEinerva A., married Charles E. 
Newell, and lives in Fresno County; Nancy E. ; 
Sophronia C, who married James H. Street and 
lives in El Dorado County; Charles C, Letha 
J., Asa I., Amanda J., and Jabez Benjamin. 



-^' 



tNDREW JACKSON PETERSON.— 
There is probably no one of the old pio- 
neers of Sonoma County better known than 
the subject of this sketch, nor one who is better 
entitled to mention in the history of Sonoma 
Count}'. Mr. Peterson was born in Tennessee, 
August 15, 1827. His father, Sterling Peter- 
son, was a native of Virginia, and his mother, 
Jane (Cooper) Peterson, was born in North 
Carolina. In Mr. Peterson's youth his father 
moved to Washington County, Missouri, and 
there engaged in farming, in which calling he 
reared his son. The subject of this sketch re- 
ceived little or no education in early life, but 
was early inured to the hard and rugged labors 
of a farm life in a pioneer country. In the 
fall of 1847 he enlisted for service in the Mexi- 
can war. and served in Company B, Sixth Mis- 
souri Cavalry. His company commander was 
Captain Thomas Jones; Colonel William Gil}.>in 
commanded the regiment. This regiment was 
employed in service against the Indians on the 
plains and in New Mexico. He remained with 
his company until the close of the war and was 
discharged in the fall of 1848. He returned to 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



Missouri and the next spring started across the 
plains, via Santa Fe, for California. The train 
was drawn by horses and nniles and made good 
time to Santa Fe. It was their intention to en- 
ter California by the southern route, but here 
a change was made and they went through 
Mexico to Mazatlan, and then embarked on the 
old whaler, America, for San Francisco. Among 
Mr. Peterson's party were Leonard and James 
Boggs, Lindley Marshall, Sash Cooper, Wash- 
ington Knox, and many others since well known 
in Sonoma County, and California. After his 
arrival in San Francisco he started for the 
mines, and for several weeks was engaged in 
mining at Gold Run, Nevada City, after which 
he went to work for Ed. Drafton in the old 
American bakery in Nevada City. He soon re- 
turned, however, to mining pursuits, which- he 
followed until 1850. In that year he estab- 
lished a boardiug-house and livery stable at 
Cold Springs, between Coloma and Hangtown. 
In 1851 he closed ont his business and came to 
Sonoma County, where, for the next two years, 
he was engaged in hunting, getting out 
"shakes," rails, etc., in the redwoods, camping 
in the woods during this time. The rails, etc., 
found ready sale among the settlers, and the 
game a good market in San Francisco. Among 
the party engaged with Mr. Peterson in this 
occupation was Dr. Boyce, a well-known physi- 
cian, now a resident of Santa Hosa. While 
thus engaged Mr. Peterson had located 240 
acres of land on the Lagoon, seven miles west 
of Santa Rosa, and in 1853 he took up his resi- 
dence there. August 15 of that year he mar- 
ried Miss Ludencia C. Sebring, daughter of 
Thomas and Margaret E. (Piper) Sebring. Mrs. 
Peterson's father is a pioneer of 1849, and is 
now (1888) living in Green Valley. Since 1853 
Mr. Peterson lias devoted his attention to farm- 
ing and stock-raising. His farm is located in 
the Hall School District on the River Road. 
He has twenty acres in hops, and the rest of the 
land, except a family orchard and vineyard, is 
devoted to hay, grain and stock-raising. In 
the latter occupation Mr. Peterson has always 



taken a great interest. He was one of the first 
to enter upon the breeding of improved horses 
in the county. He formerly paid great atten- 
tion to improving the draft horses, and was a 
strong supporter of the Norman stock, but of 
late years he has devoted more attention to tine 
roadsters. Among his stock, me:ition may be 
made of several fine specimens of the famous 
" Wildidle " stock of Santa Clara County, also 
"Nutwood" stock. Among the improvements 
on his place is a hop dry-house with a capacity 
for curing the product of his hop ranch. Mr. 
Peterson has always been prominently identified 
with every public enterprise in his section that 
tended to advance the welfare of the community. 
He has always been a strong supporter of the 
public schools and was one of the first school 
trustees of his district, and for many years 
served in that capacity. Politically he is a 
strong Democrat. He is a member of Ever- 
green Lodge, No. 161, I O. O. F., Sebastopol, 
also of the Santa Rosa Encampment, No. 53, 
I. O. O. F. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have had 
eleven children, viz.: Sterling Thomas, born 

January 15, ; Raford W., March 9, 

1858; Bronson L., February 24, 1860; Laura 
D., August 25, 1865; Andrew J., January 1, 
1868; Mark P., March 8, 1870; Lock, Novem- 
ber 17, 1873; Glen, October 17, 1876; and 
Florent Sheridan, October 25, 1879. The fourth 
child, Harriet D., born August 26, 1862, died 
January 12, 1880, and the fifth child, Margaret, 
died in infancy. Of Mr. Peterson's brothers 
who came to California are William and Augus- 
tus, -who came in 1850, and James, in 1857. In 
1860 his brother, the Rev. Nathaniel B. Peter- 
son, came, and shortly after his arrival died in 
San Francisco and is buried in San Jose. 



fOIIN F. MULGREW, County Clerk of 
Sonoma County, is a native of Rhode Is- 
land, born in October, 1851, and is the eld- 
est of the two sons of Felix Mulgrew, who came 
to California via the Isthmus route, when the 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



subject of tliis sketch was a year old. He set- 
tled in Ilealdsbiirg in 1857, when it was a fron- 
tier country, having lived in San Francisco 
three years. lie died in 1876, leaving a widow, 
two sons and tour daughters; all of the latter 
except the youngest have been teachers in 
Sonoma County for a number of years. The 
subject of this sketch was educated in 
Healdsburg, tirst attending the public schools 
and later, six years, the Sotoyome Institute, then 
a large and prosperous school. This institution 
had for years from 100 to 150 students in at- 
tendance. It was established by Professor J. 
W. Anderson, now superintendent of the San 
Francisco schools. It was later known as the 
Alexander Academy. After leaving school Mr. 
Mulgrew went as an apprentice into the office 
of the Democrnt'ic Standard, in Healdsburg. 
The paper subsecjuently became the Russian 
River Flag, of which Mr. Mulgrew was fore- 
man in two and a half j'ears after he began the 
trade, beginning at the age of fifteen years. He 
worked for nine years before becoming a news- 
paper proprietor, when, in 1876, he and his 
brother, F. B. Mulgrew, started the Healdsburg 
Enterprise, with which he was connected six 
years. In this enterprise they met with fair 
suci-ess, making a model weekly paper mechani- 
cally, which received many comments from the 
press of the State for its neat make up. 
Editorially, it was fully up to the standard of 
the best country newspapers. In December, 
1881, Mr. Mulgrew disposed of his interest in 
the paper and office to his brother, and removed 
to Santa Rosa to accept the position of deputy 
county clerk, under Robert A. Thompson, Esq. 
He served three years in that capacity, and at 
the end of that time he was elected county 
clerk on the Democratic ticket. The campaign 
for the nomination that year was hotly contested, 
there being a number of candidates for the 
place. Mr. Mulgrew was nominated by accla- 
mation in the convention. He was elected by 
a large majority, notwithstanding that was the 
year of the great "Blaine boom" in California. 
Upon the expiration of his term of two j'ears 



he was again nominated by his party by accla- 
mation and re-elected in 1886 by one of the 
largest majorities ever given in the county. 
His last term expired January 7, 1889. He 
declined to allow his name to be used for any 
office this year, and purposes to retire from pol- 
itics. It is universally conceded that he has 
made one of the most faithful and efficient offi- 
cers this county ever had. In 1876 Mr. Mul- 
grew M-as united in marriage with Miss Mary 
F. "Wood. She is a native of New York, was 
reared in Wisconsin, and came to California in 
1872. They have had three sons, two of whom 
are living, Frank and "Walter, aged- twelve and 
four years i-espectively. 



TLLIAM HILL.— The subject of this 
sketch was born in Cortland County, 
JSfew York, September 8, 1829. His 
parents, Alexander and Ann (Kenyon) Hill, 
were natives of Washington County, that State, 
and died when William was thirteen or fourteen 
years old. He consequently remembers very 
little about them. He attended the common 
schools of his neighborhood up to the age of 
twelve years, after which he went to school but 
little. He had a good home and worked on his 
father's farm until he was lifteen, when he left 
New York and went to Wisconsin, where he 
worked by the day and month during the sum- 
mer, herding and driving cattle on the plains of 
northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Af- 
terward he turned his attention to the cooper's 
trade and worked at it the most of the time up 
to 1853, when, having saved his earnings, he was 
able to procure an outfit of horses and mules 
and other equipments, and started across the 
plains for California. He left Racine March 25. 
and arrived at Hangtown, now Placerville, 
August 10, following. Like the majority of 
early Californians he had an uncontrollable 
desire to visit the mines, so accordingly went to 
those at Missouri Flat and Coloma, where he . 
prospected for a while, until his money was 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



about gone, when lie liired out by the day. 
After he had been there about three muntlis, 
and bad earned money enough he came down to 
Sonoma County. He took up a piece of govern- 
ment land, whicli had two Spanish claims 
against it, although the title was afterward 
proven to be all riglit. He put up a cabin and 
went to work at chopping wood which he sold 
to tlie San Francisco market. In the fall of the 
following year he was taken sick and was unable 
to do anything for over two months. He came 
over to Petaluma and soon after went into the 
mercantile business, in which he continued 
until I860.- During this time he had bought a 
farm near Stony Point, and after going out of 
business moved on to it, remaining there in 
agricultural pursuits for five years, then return- 
ing to Petaluma. In 1866 the bank of Sonoma 
County was organized and Mr. Hill was elected 
its first president, which position he held for 
twenty years. It was started with a capital of 
$90,000, and during the years that Mr. Hill 
was at the head of the bank there was some- 
thing like $375,000 paid in dividends to the 
stockholders, and $210,000 of its earnings cap- 
italized, which shows an able management of 
the affairs of the institution. He severed his 
connection with the bank in August, 1886. On 
January 1, 1887, the banking house of William 
Hill & Son was organized, "William Hill, presi- 
dent, and A. B. Hill, cashiei-. The bank was 
started with a capital of $100,000, which was 
afterward increased to $150,000. Mr. Hill's 
business career has generally been attended 
with marked success. He is one of the largest 
real estate owners in the county, having at this 
time, in Sonoma and Marin counties, about 
6,000 acres, and in Old Me.xico about 100,000 
acres. That in this locality is all improved 
land. He is also largely engaged in grape 
growing and wine making, and has a vineyard 
of 200 acres situated near the town of Forest- 
ville, and in connection with this is a winery. 
The vines are all in good bearing condition, the 
yield last year being about 350 tons of grapes, 
which made about 47,000 gallons of wine. This 



was produced off his own place, and the amount 
made from otlier grapes would be nearly double 
this. He is also largely engaged in fruit grow- 
ing, having on the same property about 100 acres 
in orchard, the most of which is bearing, devoted 
to the principal varieties of fruit. Mr. Hill is 
a stockholder and director in the Sonoma 
County "Water Company, having been identified 
with the corporation since its organization. He 
has also been identified with the railroad in- 
terest of the county; was president of the sub- 
sidy started in building the Donahue Railroad, 
before the company sold to its present managers. 
He was instrumental in starting the woolen 
mill in this city and was president of the com- 
pany which managed it at the time, and in fact 
is more or less connected with the history of 
Petaluma from its earliest existence, in various 
ways, and is always willing to encourage a pub- 
lic enterprise which will result in good for the 
city or county. Mr. Hill was married in 1862 
to Josephine P., daughter of James Pilkington. 
She was born in Mendota, La Salle County, Illi- 
nois. They have four children: Alexander P., 
Raymond P., "William K., and James Y. It 
can be truthfully said of the subject of this 
sketch that he has always regarded toil as manly 
and ennobling, and after passing through an 
honorable yet checkered life, he is now enjoying 
the comforts of a happy home with the wife of 
his youth, beloved by his children and friends, 
and respected by the citizens of the State in 
which he lives. 



fOSEPH H. P. MORRIS.— One of the best 
and most favorably known men among the 
-vi older residents of Sonoma County is the 
subject of this sketch. He was born in Miami 
County, Ohio, January 19, 1828, and is a descend- 
ant of the Massachusetts colonists of 1632. His 
father, David H. Morris, was born in New Jersey 
in 1769 and served in the Revolutionary war 
under General "Wayne. He was also one of 
the earliest pioneers of Ohio, and was engaged 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



in building the first house in Dayton, Ohio. 
His mother, Eva Ann (Sayler) Morris, was the 
daughter of Jacob Sayler, a native of Germany 
who emigrated to the United States and settled 
in Virginia (where Mrs. Morris was born) and in 
1798 removed to Ohio. Mr. Morris was reared 
upon a farm at the same time receiving such 
an education as tlie schools of that date atibrded. 
In 1843 the death of his father left him an 
orphan (his mother having died in 1835) and 
he went to Dayton, where he engaged as a clerk 
in a dry goods store. He continued this occu- 
pation until 1849, when the gold fever induced 
him to start for California. He commenced his 
overland journey, but at St. Joseph, Missouri, 
he was taken sick and compelled to abandon the 
project. He returned to Ohio, and the next year 
went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he entered 
the employ of the wholesale dry goods house of 
Eddy, Jameson & Company, continuing in their 
employ until 1853. In Mr. Morris' first venture 
for California he embarked all his capital, 
$3,000, in outfit, etc., but his sickness and 
forced abandonment of the trip swept away his 
means, and it was not until 1853 that he found 
himself able to carry out his original design of 
coming to the Golden State. In the spring of 
tliat year he started overland, arriving in Sep- 
tember, locating at Miliar ite Walker's trading 
post, now Sebastopol, Sonoma County. His 
first employment was as a clerk for J. M. Mil- 
lar. He was so engaged until the ne.xt year 
when he opened a grocery store on the present 
site of Sebastopol. In 1855 he took uf) 120 
acres of government land and laid out the town, 
which he called Pine Grove, and offered a lot to 
any one who would build and start any business 
enterprise. Mr. John Dougherty accepted the 
ofier and in the same year started his store. 
Mr. Morris relates a rather amusing incident 
which caused this embryo town to lose the ap- 
propriate name of Pine Grove, and take up the 
formidable Russian cognomen. It was as follows: 
Two men, Jeif Stevens and a man named Hibbs, 
got into a tight. Stevens proved the better man 
and Hibbs retreated and ran into Dougherty's 



store. Stevens followed him, but Mr. Dough- 
erty would not lot Stevens enter the store after 
Hibbs. This was during the Crimean war when 
the allies were besieging Sebastopol, which it 
was supposed they could not capture. The 
Pine Grove boys were disgusted at the termi- 
nation of the Stevens and Hibbs fight, and 
cried out that Dougherty's store was Hibbs' 
Sebastopol. A great deal of talk was made over 
the affair, and the name became so familiar that 
the town itself soon became known by the name 
of Sebastopol. Mr. Morris continued his bus- 
iness at this point, and was always the prime 
mover in building up the town. In 1858 he 
purchased 456 acres of land just west of the 
town site, and the next year sold out his grocery 
store. In 1860 he married Miss Maria L. Bul- 
len, a native of England. Until 1862 he was 
engaged in various enterprises, and in the latter 
year he went to the mines on John Day River 
in Oregon, but not meeting with the desired 
success he soon returned to his old home and 
opened a variety store. He was also appointed 
postmaster of Sebastopol. He continued this 
business until 1865 when he sold out and re- 
signed his ofiice, and until 1868 was not 
engaged in any business. In the latter year he 
took charge of the Coleman Yalley Lumber 
Mills, which lie conducted until 1870. In that 
year he went to Guerneville, and was for some 
years the bookkeeper of Heald & Guerne, and 
was also in charge of their mills and yard, and 
later was the superintendent of Corbell & Bros, 
mill on Russian River. In 1875 he returned to 
Sebastopol and established a meat market, a 
business he has successfully conducted since 
that date. Mr. and Mrs. Morris have two chil- 
dren, Harry B. and Eva. In 1886 Mr. Morris 
took his son, Harry B. Morris, into partner- 
ship with him in his market business, and ic 
has since been conducted under the firm name 
of Morris & Son. It is the best appointed and 
equipped market in the town, one that is well 
patronized by the farming community as well 
as town people. Throughout Mr. Morris' whole, 
career in Sonoma County, he has been, more 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



tlian any otlier man, identified and associated 
with all movements that tended to advance the 
interests of the section in which he has resided. 
He is a strong su{)porter of schools and churches, 
and in fact every enterprise that has tended to 
advance the welfare and morals ot the com- 
munity. In politics he is a strong and con- 
sistent Republican, and though never seeking 
office, has always been a prominent member of 
the party, always advocating what he considered 
to be for the best interests of the party, rather 
than individuals. He is a charter member ot 
Lafayette Lod^e, Eo. 126, F. & A. M., of Se- 
bastopol, also a charter member of Sebastopol 
Lodge, No. 167, I. O. G. T. For twenty-tive 
years Mr. Morris was the efficient secretary of 
the F. & A. M. lodge. His son, Harry 13., mar- 
ried Miss Albie Howell, daughter of L. V. H. 
Howell of San Francisco, formerly a resident of 
Sonoma County. His daughter Eva is a resi- 
dent of San Francisco. Mr. Morris is the 
owner of the building in which he conducts his 
business, and also owns a fine residence and 25 
acres of land in Sebastopol. Upon the land are 
attractive picnic grounds and a beautiful park. 
He also devotes considerable land to pasturing 
the stock needed in his business, which is quite 
extensive and requires the constant attention of 
both himself and son. 



~^m 



■^,f^ 



jj^ -^ 



;^KORGE A. TUPPER, one of the early 
'.\ (■ settlers and active business men of So- 
^' noina County, was born in Macomb 
County, Michigan, November 27, 1833. In 
1850 he left there and went to New York, and 
in the fall of 1852 sailed for California, arriving 
in San Francisco November 27 of that year. 
Like nearly all the California immigrants of 
that day he sought his fortune in the mines and 
spent the years from 1852 to 1856 in searching 
for the yellow dust. Then coining to Sonoma 
County, he bought a farm five miles south of 
Santa Rosa on the Petaluma road, which he 
cultivated si.x years. Desiring a change of 



occupation, he moved to Santa Rosa and en- 
gaged in merchandising in a general store, in 
which he continued for fourteen years. On the 
completion of the Occidental Hotel, he became 
projjrietor of the house in 1876, conducted it 
two years and sold out, but bought it back in 
December, 1879, and has continued as proprie- 
tor since that time. Mr. Tupper has always 
taken an active interest in politics in a local 
way, and is one of the most zealous and efll'ective 
workers for the Republican principles in Sonoma 
County. Soonafter settling in Santa Rosa he 
served several years in the common council, and 
was a member of the Board of Supervisors during 
the years 1873, 1874 and 1875. In 1884 he was 
nominated for treasurer of Sonoma County on 
the Republican ticket, and, despite the hitherto 
strong Democratic majority in the county, was 
elected, being the first Republican elected to 
that office in the coimty. Two years later he 
was again elected as his own successor. He 
was liot a candidate for the office in 1888, and 
retired from it January 1, 1889. Mr. Tupper 
is an active and energetic worker in whatever 
he undertakes; being naturally public-spirited 
he is usually associated with every movement 
inaugurated for the advancement of the interests 
of the city or county. In 1857 he was joined 
in marriage with Miss Harriet Cooper, a native 
of Will County, Illinois, and daughter of John 
and Rhoda Cooper, pioneers of Sonoma County. 
Mr. and Mrs. Tupper's children are Emma 
(now Mrs. Thomas), Charles V., Hattie (now 
Mrs. Cooper), Aquilla L., Clinton 11., John A. 
C. and Harry Tapper. 



•^ 



m. 



ILLIAM HENRY WORTH was born 
March 28, 1829, in Troy, New York. 
'^)fe?-i His father, William Ellison Worth, a 
native of Burlington, Vermont, settled in New 
York State about 1826. He married in Ver- 
mont, Frances Curtis, a native of that State. 
In 1832 the family moved to Albany, New 
York, where Mr. Worth made his home until 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



1850, when he came to California. He was a 
machinist and followed that trade in Albany 
about twelve years in tlie manufacture of fire 
engines and tobacco cutting machines. He 
came to San Francisco and was engaged in the 
Union Iron Works, run by Peter and James 
Donahue, where he remained for about four 
years. He built the first hand fire engine that 
was put up in California, the work being done 
by H. J. Booth on Davis street, and the journey 
man work was done by George W. Frescott. 
Mr. Worth then founded the Fulton Iron Works 
under the firm Tiame of Worth, Hyde & Field. 
They ran the business on Davis street until 
about 1859, wiien it was moved to First street, 
to the place uow occupied by Horace Davis' 
flouring mill. Mr. Worth continued in the 
business until 1865 when he sold out to Hinck- 
ley cfe Company, after vvliich he moved to Oak- 
land and lived a retired life and died June 30, 
1879. His first wife died in the East about 1846. 
She was the mother of seven children, five, sons 
and two daughters. Four sons and one daugh- 
ter died when children. In 1849 he married 
his second wife, Margaret Furguson. They had 
three children, two sons and onedaughter. One 
son and daughter died in infancy. In 1865 he 
married Mrs. Thayer. His third wife had no chil- 
dren. William Henry Worth, the subject of this 
sketch, is the eldest child. When he was twelve 
years old and while going to school, he built his 
first model engine of about five-eighth inch bore 
and two inch stroke. Two years later he left 
school and was apprenticed to his trade in the 
machine shops of his father and a man named 
Dwelle, under the firm name of Dwelle & 
AVortli, with whom he worked for eight years, 
six of which were devoted to learning the trade 
and two years as a journeyman. He then left 
and went to Detroit, Michigan, on the Michigan 
Central Railroad; remained about two years and 
left there for the Hudson River Railroad at 
Greenbush, Xew York, as gang boss in the re- 
pair of locomotives in the company's shops, 
where he remained about two years. William 
Cessford, an engineer on the Hudson River Rail- 



road, had been appointed master mechanic of 
the Michigan Soutiiern & Northern Indiana 
Railroad at La Forte, Indiana, and induced Mr. 
Worth to come there and take the same position 
of gang boss and superintendent of locomotive 
repairs for the Michigan Southern ct Nortiiern 
Indiana Railroad. After l)eing there about a 
year and a half he went back East and was mar- 
ried in November, 1853, to Ellen J. Salisbury, 
a native of Bethlehem, New York, a town ad- 
joining Albany. He then returned to La Porte, 
Indiana, and resumed his position where he re- 
mained about a year longer. He then left and 
went to Alton, Illinois, for the Chicago, Alton 
tfe St. Louis Railroad, as foreman in the shops 
there. About a year and a half later the com- 
pany sent him to Bloomington, on the main line 
of the road, where the main shops were being 
built, Mr. Worth acting as superintendent in 
the erecting of all the machinery. When this 
was completed the company gave him his choice 
of going to Joliet or Alton. Preferring the 
latter place he moved his family tliere, where 
he remained as foreman and master mechanic 
in the shops for two years. David Lawrence, 
master mechanic of the shops at Quincy, Illinois, 
for the N orthern Cross Railroad, now the Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy, induced Mr. Worth to join 
him, which he did, and was superintendent and 
foreman of the erecting and repairing of machin- 
ery for four years. He then went to Canton, Mis- 
souri, and started'a machine shop with Leonard 
Finlay, where they remained until the breaking 
out of the war. Being Union men and in a 
secession country they were compelled to close 
their shops and leave the neighborhood. Mr. 
Worth went down to Hannibal, on the Hanni- 
bal & St. Joe Railroad, and acted as superin- 
tendent of repairs in their shops. In 1861 and 
1862 he, with other employes of the railroad 
shops, enlisted in the Hotne Guard, being sworn 
into the United States service for one j-ear. 
When the time expired he went to Amboy, Illi- 
nois, on the Illinois Central Railroad, and re- 
mained in their employ as gang boss until 1864. 
In that year he came to San Francisco and went 



HISTORY OF SOISOMA COUNTY. 



357 



to work for his fatlier in tlie Fulton Iron Works, 
tlie firm then heinu; Hinckley & Company. 
After being there about a year he went to the 
old Vulcan Iron "Works, and while employed 
there had an offer of a position as master me- 
clianio on the Western Pacific Railroad. He 
run tlie first locomotive during the construction 
of the first twenty-two miles of the road, and 
when the completion of the first twenty-five 
miles was made the road was sold to the Cen- 
tral Pacific Company and further work was 
stopped. Mr. Worth then returned to San 
Francisco and went to work in the Union Iron 
Works as a journeyman, and after being there 
six months was promoted to assistant foi-eman. 
While acting in this capacity he was sent to the 
i\ew Almaden Mines as chief engineer, where 
he remained about three years, when II. J. 
Booth & Company, proprietors of the Union 
Iron works, induced him to take a position as 
chief engineer in tlie Eberhart Mills at White 
Pine, which at that time was the largest mill in 
the country. He was here, however, only a few 
months. After completing the mill he left and 
took charge of tlie machinery department as 
foreman and superintendent in the Union Iron 
Works, who employed about 500 men, where he 
remained for ten years. The firm sent him to 
Alvarado for the company and took charge of 
tiie erecting of the machinery in the Beet Sugar 
Works, remaining there four months, complet- 
ing the erection of the works. He then re- 
turned to this city and for three months was 
superintendent of the com])any's machinery 
warehouse. Hearing that the foundry and 
machine shops at Petaluma were for sale, he 
came here and purchased them. He is devot- 
ing tiie most of his time to the manufacture of 
!>i8 wine machinery, having secured four patents 
of his own invention, and at the present time is 
at work on another. Mr. Worth's first wife 
died in J une,1873. He was married again in De- 
cember, 1876, to Mrs. Mary A. Lapum, a native of 
Napanee Canada. By his first marriage tiierewere 
two ciiildren, who died in infancy, and three now 
living, Arthur, Frank and Cora. By his pres- 



ent wife he has one child, William Ellison. Mr. 
Worth was appointed to the board of city 
trustees May 12, 1888. He is a Mason, having 
joined the Mission Lodge of San Francisco in 
1865, and was demitted from that lodge to the 
Petaluma lodge in 1880. 



fOHN G. UNDERHILL, deceased, was 
born in Marshall County, Tennessee, April 
11, 1831. In 1843 his parents removed to 
Greene County, Missouri, a county then passing 
through the early stages of its history. In that 
county Mr. Underhill spent the following nine 
years in farm labor. Attaining his majority, in 
1852, with an ox team, he set out on the long, 
weary overland journey to this State, being six 
months en route. He was not long in deter- 
mining npon Sonoma County as his future 
home. The winter following his coming he 
built, for a man named Armsby Elliott, the first 
house ever erected in Rincon Valley. This was 
upon the farm afterward owned and occupied 
until his death by Mr. Underhill. Upon the 
estate still owned by the family the old house 
still stands, used as part of a barn. Mr. Under- 
hill planted the fii'st orchard in Rincon Valley. 
Energetic and ambitious, he led in man}' a new 
enterprise, and was one of the first in this part 
of the State to commence the breeding of thor- 
oughbred horses. He was a great lover of that 
noble animal and devotedly fond of the turf, and 
to his credit we record that no horse owned or 
controlled by him was ever started in a race for 
any other purpose than an honest trial of speed. 
Thoroughly honest and true in all else, Mr. Un- 
derhill made racing no exception. No suspicion 
of being a turf gambler ever attached to him. 
Going back to his early life in Sonoma County, 
we record that August 9, 1855, Mr. Underhill 
married Miss Millie Dunbar, daughter of Alex- 
ander and Mary Dunbar. She was born in Dade 
County, Missouri, April 23, 1839, and came to 
California with her parents in 1849. They set- 
tled in (jJen Ellen. Both are now deceased, their 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



last years having been spent in San Luis Obispo 
County. In the year 1863 Mr. Uuderhill es- 
tablislied his residence near tiie liead of llincon 
Yalley on the farm where, as before stated, he 
had erected tlie tirst dwelling-house in the val- 
ley. The work of improving the estate of 400 
acres of choice land progressed year by year. 
The comfortable, commodious cottage residence 
standing on an eminence gives a tine view of 
the lower valley. Few rural homes in any coun- 
try are more picturesquely located. There Mr. 
Qnderhi 11 passed away August 9, 1882. Few 
inen in Sonoma County were more widely 
known, and sufficient be it to say, lie had no 
enemy. Ten years he served his district as 
seliool trustee. For many years he affiliated 
with Santa Rosa Lodge, Iso. 53, L O. O. F. 
Upon the estate Mrs. Underbill and a part of 
her family reside. She is the mother of seven 
children, viz.: William, born May 29, 1856, is 
engaged in tbe livery business i!i Santa Rosa; 
Charles, born September 15, 1857, resides with 
his mother and is the manager of the estate; 
Kate, born November 9, 1858, died August 8, 
1885; Mary, born March 16, 1860; Sarah, born 
October 7, 1861; John Lea, born January 16, 
1870, and Neva, born June 9, 1877. 



^RANCIS C. WRIGHT, of Russian River 
^H Township, has a handsome farm of 125 
^F' acres, on the main highway between Wind- 
sor and Healdsburg. Of tliis land he has seven 
acres in grapes, mostly foreign varieties, with 
some Mission grapes, and ranging in age from 
two to four years. There are also on the place 
some 600 fruit trees, mostly pears, apples, 
peaches, nectarines, almonds, etc., and nearly 
all in bearing. It is his intention to engage 
more extensively in fruit culture. The farm has 
a good location, convenient to markets, and the 
land is of excellent quality. The place presents 
an attractive appearance, and all the improve- 
ments have been made by Mr. Wrigiit. Mr. 
Wright is a native of New York City, born 



May 5, 1845, his parents being Captain John 
T. and Eliza (Lawrence) Wriglit. His father 
was a large shipowner and was tlie possessor of 
many vessels engaged in the merchant service. 
Among tbem may be mentioned the well-known 
Daniel Webster, Andrew Johnson, Peerless, 
America, Globe, etc. He brought the Seabird 
around Cape Horn to California in 1849. He 
made this State his home for a number of years, 
but just prior to the war he returned to his 
country seat at Throg's Neck, New York. There 
he lived until his death, which occurred Novem- 
ber 1, 1868. His wife had preceded him to the 
grave, having died at Long Island, February 1, 
1852. Francis C.AVright was educated at Flash- 
ing, Long Island. His early life was spent in 
pursuits dictated by his pleasure, sometimes 
with his father at sea, again at home. He was 
married at Santa Rosa to Miss Catherine Kel- 
ley, a native of Pittstield, Massachusetts. They 
have three children, viz.: Frederick Lawrence, 
Walter Francis and Flora Agnes. Mr. Wright 
is a member of the Presbyterian church. 



imLEXANDER W. RODGERS, deceased.— 
'Wi This esteemed and honored citizen, for 
^5^5^ many years a resident of Petaluina, was a 
native of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, and was 
born February 5, 1816. His mother was Rachel 
Cessna, a native of Pennsylvania, born February 
7, 1797, and was an aunt of Hon. John Cessna, 
who for many years was a Congressman of that 
Siate. After her marriage to Elias Rodgers, 
the father of the subject of this sketch, death 
soon separated them, after which she became 
the wife of Samuel B. Jackson, of Kentucky. 
She moved from Kentucky to Ohio, and from 
there to Indiana, thence to Holt County, Mis- 
souri, and from there to Council Bluffs, Iowa, 
where she died January 1, 1881. Ale.xander 
Rodgers was the only child by her tirst marriage. 
He grew to manhood in Ohio, and was married 
in Indiana, in 1841, to Mary Rogers, a native 
of Franklin County, that State. His wile's 




^ 'B<c£ 



^n^an. 



nrsrour of sonoma county. 



maiden name was the same as his, but spelled 
differently. After a residence of a few years in 
Indiana, he moved to Andrew County, Missouri, 
and engaged in the flouring mill business until 
about 1850, when he removed to Savannah, 
Missouri, and conducted a liveiy stable and 
stage line between Savannah and St. Joseph 
until 1854, when, on account of ill liealth, lie 
closed his business there and came to California, 
crossing the plains and arriving in Snisun, 
Solano County, in the fall of the same year. 
He had a residence there of about two years, 
during whicli time he was elected justice of the 
peace, holding the office till tlie fall of 1856, 
when he removed with his family to Petaluma. 
He turned his attention to buying and selling 
grain for about three years, after which he en- 
gaged in farming, and was so employed until 
1868. He then established himself in the real 
estate business in Petaluma, and followed this 
until liis death, July 15, 1873. His farm of 
160 acres was just south of the town, a part of 
which is now within the city limits. His wife 
lived until November 3, 1885, when she passed 
away at the age of filty-tJiree years. Mr. and 
Mrs. Rodgers were the parents of eight children, 
of whom all are deceased but one daughter and 
a son, J. P. Rodgers, of this city. 



fR. WILLIAM L. DICKENSON, proprie- 
tor of " Brookside Villa," in Rincon 
Valley. The life of the subject of this 
sketch is so interwoven with the history of the 
American occupation of California, with the war 
which led to its acquisition by our government, 
of the opening up of this sunny land to Ameri- 
can civilization, and to the laying broad and 
deep the foundations of its present and ever- 
increasing prosperity, tliat it is fitting that a 
brief review should be given in this historic 
work. Dr. Dickenson was born in the State of 
Tennessee, in February, 1831, son of G. D. and 
Isabella Dickenson. His earliest recollections 
are connected with life in Western Missouri, 



where his parents settled in 1834; there his 
boyhood days were spent; there liis rudimentary 
educatio.'i was received. His father, a man of 
great force of character, and endowed by nature 
with the qualities which tit men for leaders, and 
withal a man whose sterling worth and business 
qualifications commanded the respect and confi- 
dence of all who knew him, was possessed of a 
daring sjjirit of adventure; and, having heard 
much of the genial skies, healthful climate and 
fertile soil of the far-away Mexican province of 
California, he was led by the same restless ambi- 
tion which led him from the old State of Ten- 
nessee to the frontier State of Missouri, to 
organize a band of haidy emigrants for the long 
journey over almost trackless plains, mountains, 
and deserts, to this coast. May 1, 1846, a train 
well supplied for the long journey, with o.x 
teams, under tlie command of Captain Dicken- 
son, left their rendezvous near Independence, 
Missouri. At first about fifty families -were 
together on the route, and a portion of the time 
near them was the ill-starred Donner party, 
whose sad fate so tragically illustrates the dan- 
gers and perils liable to be encountered in com- 
ing to California in those days. However, 
Captain Dickenson and those who remained 
under his charge after many battles with In- 
dians and other hardships, safely reached Santa 
Clara Mission November 1, the same year. The 
reader will the better realize wliat such a jour- 
ney of six months means when he reflects that 
now, over steel roadways, drawn by the iron 
horse, the journey from ocean to ocean is made 
in as many days ! They found the country in 
the turmoil of war. William L. Dickenson, 
whose name heads this sketch, though but in his 
sixteenth year, at once offered his services and 
enlisted in the company commanded by Captain 
Aram, and in the closing scenes of the drama in 
Northern California, which were enacted in 
Santa Clara Valley, he did his part gallantly and 
well. Here the writer must digress to pay a 
tribute to the American volunteer. It was not 
the paid soldiery of the United States army 
that wrested this glorious land from Mexican 



HrSTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



domination, but the volunteer. Tiie hardy 
American settlers, strangers to military disci- 
pline but trained to the use of the rifle, sprang at 
once to arms, and from tlie raising of the " bear 
flag" to the end of tlie war were its heroes. 
To the hardy men who had braved all the 
dangers of coining here, the work of wresting 
this land from Mexico was but a pastime. 
Captain Dickenson, father of the subject of this 
sketch, and liis family remained at Santa Clara 
Mission until peace came with its protection. 
Ke then went to Monterey, and there burned 
the tirst kiln of brick and erected the first brick 
house built in Caiifotiiia. The building still 
stands in a good state of preservation, near the 
Custom House. In 1848 the family moved to 
the mines on Weber Creek, later to the South 
Fork of the American River, thence to Mormon 
Island, thence to Mokelumne, and to Stockton 
in 1849. There Captain Dickenson erected 
one of the pioneer hotels, the '■ Dickenson 
House,'' and by General Riley, military Gover- 
nor of California, was appointed prefect. In 
1852, with his family, he removed to Stanislaus 
County, and, securing a large tract of land, he 
located on the Tuolumne River and established 
what was afterward known as " Dickenson's 
Ferry;" also built and conducted a hotel. There 
manyj'ears Captain Dickenson led an active life, 
engaged in stock-raising and general farming. 
He was one of the leading men of that section and 
one of the most honored citizens. Besides be- 
ing postmaster many years, he held many posi- 
tions of public trust, serving several years as 
justice of the peace and .associate judge. His 
death occurred in Merced County, in 1872, at 
the age of sixty-six years. For his manly 
integrity, kindly nature, and genuine hospital- 
ity, he will be remembered while life lasts, by 
all pioneers and early settlers who knew him 
well. His widow survived him but two or three 
years, her death occurring at San Jose in her 
sixty-seventh year. The names of her six chil- 
dren living are: James, who resides in Fresno 
County; William L., whose name heads this 
sketch; Samuel, of Fresno County; George W., 



in Merced County; Mrs. Lucy Stoneroad, in 
Las Vegas, New Mexico; and Mrs. M. E. Law- 
rey, a widow, who resides in Monterey County. 
Doctor Dickenson, the subject of this sketch, 
has been in the fullest sense of the word, the 
architect of his own fortunes. Deprived, in a 
large degree, of the early advantages for an 
education so common to all youth of to-day, he 
not only became liberally educated but also 
proficient in the practice of the highest science 
known to civilized man. He commenced the 
study of medicine under the preceptorship of 
Dr. Z. C. Graves, at Kingsville, Ashtabula 
County, Ohio; remaining with him three years, 
and afterward was a teaclier at the Mary Sharp 
Institute, in Tennessee, one year and later com- 
pleted a course under Professor Goodiiough in 
Cleveland Commercial College. He also studied 
with Dr. T. D. John.-ou, of San Jose, for some 
time. Returning to California early in 185-4, 
he commenced an active professional and busi- 
ness cai'eer, and laid the foundations of the pros- 
perity which he now enjoys. Always interested 
in public aflairs, he, while never aspiring to 
high public position, has beeu somewhat promi- 
nent in the councils of the Democratic party. 
Loyal to the Nation and devotedly so to the 
State he helped to acquire and build up, he ad- 
hered to his party throughout the civil war, and 
was elected to the General Assembly of the 
State from Stanislaus County, and was one of the 
nine Democrat c members of that body. At San 
Jose, August 28, 1865, Dr. Dickenson was united 
in marriage with Miss Luella Jolmson, daughter 
of his medical preceptor. From 1865 to 1873 he 
was engaged in the practice of his profession 
at San Jose. He then abandoned a professional 
life and removed to San Francisco, since which 
time he has been engaged in the management of 
his lar^^e estates, having one tract of 21,000 
acres in Stanislaus and Merced counties, devoted 
to grain culture, and one of grazing lands near 
Las Vegas, New Mexico, containing 13,000 
acres. He also owns valuable property in San 
Francisco. For many years he has lived at the 
Palace Hotel in San Francisco, but in April, 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



1888, purchased and expects to occupy as a sum- 
mer residence, " IJroolcside Villa," three miles 
east of Santa Rusa on the Sonoma road. This 
is the finest rural lioine in Sonoma County: 140 
acres of choice valley land makes the ranch one 
of importance in view of its productions. Fifty 
acres are in orchard and twenty acres in vine- 
yard. In the orchard are to be found 4,000 
Bartlett pears, and several varieties of plums, 
apricots, peaches and prunes. The vineyard is 
mostly devoted to the Zinfandel wine grape. 
The magnificent building improvements erected 
by a formei- owner, Mr. F. R. Wetmore, were 
built in 1884-'85. The residence is commodi- 
ous and substantial. The eminence upon which 
all the buildings stand gives a view of the 
picturesque Riiicon Valley, stretching northward 
and to the right and left, unequaled from any 
other stand-point. One of tlie most noticeable 
features of the place is the large building three 
stories above its basement, intended for canning 
fruit and the manufacture of jelly. It was built 
without regard to cost, 823,000 having been ex- 
pended upon it. As yet it has never been used 
for its intended purpose. Besides the residence 
occupied during a portion of the year by Dr. 
Dickenson and his family, there is another fine 
commodious two story dwelling-house, and a 
neat cottage of moderate dimensions. The 
grounds, possessed as they are of great natural 
original beauty, enhanced as they have been by 
the expenditure in their improvement of §80,000, 
make a charminw rural home. 



i->-t> is><-' ,gr' » 



fOHJs W. WARBOYS, one of Santa Rosa's 
most prosperous and prominent business 
men, is an Englishman by hirth, but came 
with his parents to America in 1854, when three 
years of age. He is the second of twelve chil- 
dren, all now living, of John Warboys, who, on 
arriving in this country settled in Genesee 
County, New York, where the family still re- 
sides on the farm he first purchased. After 
finishing a course in the public schools, the sul>- 

23 



ject of this sketch attended the State Normal 
School four years. He then engaged in teach- 
ing for some time, and in 1876 crossed the con- 
tinent to California. Considerable difficulty 
was experienced in obtaining employment, but 
he finally secured the school in Fairfield, Solano 
County, which he taught a year and a half. 
Upon leaving the school Mr. Warboys passed a 
short time in the mines, and in the latter part 
of 1877 went to (Oakland and embarked in the 
drug business, continuing until he came to 
Santa Rosa in 1881. In locating here he bought 
the drug store of Walter Hall, on the north- 
west corner of Fourth and B streets, where the 
Santa Rosa National Bank now is, and three 
months later moved to his present store at 509 
Fourth street. This store is 25x80 feet in 
size, with a laboratory and wareroom in the 
rear, and is probably the finest furnished and 
prettiest drug store in interior California. The 
counters, which are of Warboy's own designing, 
are constructed of plate glass, with the interiors 
arranged for displaying fine goods, and hence 
are all splendid show cases of mammoth size, 
filled with choice fancy and toilet articles, 
producing a very novel and beautiful effect. Mr. 
Warboys carries a large stock of pure and staple 
drugs, chemicals, patent medicines and toilet 
goods, and gives special attention to compound- 
ing prescriptions. The store is centrally located 
and does a large volume of business. Mr. War- 
boys is one of the charter members of the Santa 
Rosa board of trade and is its secretary; is an 
active member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows 
orders, also of the A. O. U. W. In the spring 
of 1888 he was elected to the city council on 
the Republican ticket, and is one of its most 
active and efficient members, laboring with con- 
scientious zeal for the material and moral wel- 
fare of the city. In 1882 Mr. Warboys married 
Miss Jennie Lemon, daughter of John B. 
Lemon, a prominent farmer and stock-grower of 
Solano County, where he settled before the 
birth of Mrs. Warboys, and is now (1888) treas- 
urer of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Warboys 
have one child, a son, and reside in a cozy home 



ycr. 



insTonV iiF SOSOMA COUNTY. 



on Fourth street, enjoying themselves as they 
proceed on the journey of life. Mr. Warboys 
is now, and always has been, a strictly temper- 
ate man. 



irprHOMAS LAKE HARRIS.— Perhaps to 
\\'s no other man is ISononia County more in- 
%SJ debted than to the subject of this sketch 
for illustrating what ca])ital combined with well 
directed energy can do in converting the appar- 
ently barren hills into lands teeming with 
wealth and abounding in beautiful homes. iS'o 
one passes over the highway leading from Santa 
Rosa to Ilealdsburg without noticing with great 
interest the Fountaingrove estate lying in the 
foot-hills on the east side of the beautiful val- 
ley, two and one-half miles north of the first 
named city. Upon a plateau, approached from 
the highway by an avenue winding its wa}' over 
an easy and almost uniform grade, stands the 
palatial residence of Mr. Harris. Near it is 
the residence of others associated witli him, 
which is also a grand structure, and a little east 
stands the massive winery, a three-story brick 
building, 182x112 feet, heated by steam and 
furnished completely throughout with the best 
of modern machinery. This establishment has 
a capacity for the storage of 600,000 gallons. 
Tiie output for 18S8 was over 200,000 gallons. 
A brief history of .the development of 
" The Fountaingrove Vineyard and Winery " 
gives the following facts. In 1875 Mr. 
Harris was compelled to leave the East on 
account of failing liealth, and decided to 
make Sonoma County his home. He pur- 
chased 700 acres of land, 200 acres of which was 
located on the flats, or what was then swamps, 
in the valley west of the Healdsburg road and 
opposite his residence. He soon commenced a 
system of drainage. Twenty-three miles of 
tiling fitted 200 acres of this land for a wheat 
crop, and in 1879 over lifty-three bushels per 
acre were harvested. The planting of vineyards 
and orchards was energetically pushed forward 



on the hills, and the purchase of additional 
lands made until the estate assumed-magnili- 
cent proportions, now comprising nearly 2,000 
acres, all of which when purchased was in a 
state of nature. At this writing (1888) over 
400 acres are in vineyards and a somewhat less 
number of acres in orchards, nearly all of bear- 
ing age. The vineyards are stocked with wine 
grapes principally, though the choicest of table 
grapes are raised. In the orchards almost every 
variet}' of indigenous fruits are found. From 
the valley the estate reaches over five plateaus 
to the summit of the mountain known as the 
" Vine Mountain," and again as the •' Harris 
Mountain." From the Healdsburg road a wind- 
ing road (passing over one-quarter of a mile to the 
residence) leads three miles through a succes- 
sion of vineyards to a mesa on the top of the 
mountain, 300 acres in e.xteut, from which a 
view- of the ocean may be had from the west. 
On the northeast the estate borders upon a crest 
of rocks overlooking the beautiful Rincon Val- 
ley. In this property a capital of over $300,000 
is represented. Mr. Harris also owns, north of 
this property, 400 acres as yet unimproved. 
The "Fountaingrove Vineyard and Winery" is. 
in the possession of Lay, Clark »fe Co., of New 
York and Santa Rosa. The Fountaingrove 
wines have established a distinguished reputa- 
tion abroad for purity and excellence; being 
ranked in merit with the superior French Bur- 
gundies. Agencies for their sale are established 
in London, Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow, 
Great Britain. Their principal sale is, however, 
in the Eastern States, the depot and cellar being 
at 62 Vesey street, New York, under the man- 
agement of Jonathan W. Lay, senior partner of 
the firm. An illustrated journal, the Fountain- 
grove 'Wine Press, published in Santa Rosa and 
New York, is devoted exclusively to these 
viticultural interests. Ray P. Clark is the resi- 
dent general manager, while the junior partner, 
Kanaye Nagasava, formerly of the Japanese 
legation at Washington, assumes the general 
charge of the vineyards. Dr. John S. Hyde, 
M. D., well known as an eminent expert in 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



wines, exercises a supervisory cliarge of the 
wines in tlie cellars. In closing this sketch a 
passing mention of the life of Mr. Harris, be- 
fore coming to Sonoma County, it is titling 
slionld be made. He dates his birth at Fenny 
Stratford, England, May 15, 1823, and is a de- 
scendant in tiie fifth degree of Leonard Harris, 
an officer under Cromwell, who was present at 
the execution of tlie unfortunate Charles I. 
The family trace tlieir descent from a Welsh 
knight, who, at the expense of his own life, 
saved the life of King Edward IV at Agincourt, 
and whose dead body was knighted upon the 
Held of battle, in 1445. Thomas Harris, the 
father of the subject of this sketch, was a mer- 
chant who came to the United States bringing 
his son with him in 1827. After living in 
New York City for a time, he removed to the 
interior of the State. The mother of Thomas 
Lake Harris died when he was quite j-oung. In 
the fullest meaning of the words he may be 
called a self-made man, commencing life for 
himself at eleven years of age. lie became 
largely his own teacher, and at an early age he 
showed strong religious tendencies and a poeti- 
cal imagination. At seventeen years of age he 
began to write for the press and soon became 
known as a frequent contributor. At twenty- 
two he became the pastor of the congregation 
now worshiping in the Church of the Divine 
Paternity, on Fifth avenue, Xew York City, 
bailing healtli compelled him to relinquish 
his trust and the eloquent Ilev. Dr. E. H. 
Chapin became his immediate successor. The 
writings of Mr. Harris at this early period 
and afterward attracted attention in the New 
York I'rihune, Kniekerljocker, Graliani's Mag- 
azine and other popular periodicals of the time. 
He was also for several years editor of the Gavel 
at Albany, and of the Herald of Light., New 
York. - In 1861, after having spent some 
years in Europe, he .purchased property iu 
Dutchess County, New York, where, at Amenia, 
he, established the First National Rank. Selling 
his interests in 18G7, be established himself on 
the shores of Lake Erie in western New York, 



becoming the owner of large landed properties. 
From there Mr. Harris came to Sonoma County. 
He has been a great traveler and has many 
times visited Europe. During the reign of the 
Commune in 1871 he was in Paris. Mr. Harris 
is the possessor of perhaps the most extensive 
library in nortliern California. Much of his 
time is spent in scientific researches and the 
pursuits of literature. He is the author of sev- 
eral works both of poetry and prose, and they 
exhibit a mind of extraordinary power and 
cultivation. 



J|jpICTOR PIEZZL— This well known and 
%\\i. Successful dairyman is a native of Tesin, 

'^' Switzerland. He dates his birth from 
April 12, I'SSS. His parents, John and Lucia 
(Piezzi) Piezzi, were also natives of Switzerland, 
and his father, a mason by trade, lost his life in 
the mountains of that country, having been 
frozen to death when Victor was about eighteen 
months old. Until the age of fourteen the 
subject of this sketch attended the public schools 
and received a good education. At that age he 
engaged in farm labor and the herding of stock, 
which he continued until 1869. In that year, 
at the age of sixteen, he emigrated to the L'nited 
States. Immediately upon his landing in New 
York, he started via the Isthmus route for San 
Francisco, at which place he arrived June 3, 
1869. After a short stay there he came to So- 
noma County, and engaged in work for Ben 
Sartori on the Winfield "Wright dairy farm on 
Russian River. He worked for Mr. Sartori 
until 1872, and then went to Marin County, 
where he continued his occupation as a dairy- 
man until the fall of that year. He then pro- 
ceeded to Contra Costa County and took up the 
occupation of a miner in the Mt. Diablo coal 
mines, remaining there until 1874. He then 
returned to Sonoma County and entered the 
employ of Mr. Winfield Wright. The next 
year he entered into partnership with I. Sartori. 
They rented land from John Walker, near Sebas- 



Ilisrour OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



topol, and established a dairy of fifty cows. Mr. 
Sartori afterward sold out his interest to Will- 
iam Irwin. In 1877 Mr. Piezzi was united in 
marriage with Miss Luwella "Wile}', daughter 
of Joiia and Lucy (White) Wiley, pioneers of 
Sonoma County and residents of (Treeii Valley. 
The partnership between Mr. Piezzi and ^Ir. 
Irwin existed until 1878, when he purchased 
his partner's interest and since that date has 
conducted the enterprise alone. In 1881 he 
purchased 160 acres of land located on the 
Ilea'.dsburg and Petalunia road. He still 
rented the Walker lands and constantly enlarged 
his business and increased his landed possessions 
until he is now (1888) the owner of 480 acres 
of productive farming land, situated on the 
liealdsburg and Petaluma road, in the Hall 
School District, about five miles west of Santa 
Ilosa. Mr. Piezzi although devoting most of iiis 
attention to stock-raising and dairy business is 
still interested in fruit and vine culture. He 
has a fine orchard of twenty acres, pi'oducing 
Bartlett pears, apples, peaches and plums, and 
many other varieties. He also has twenty acres 
of vineyard, in which are nearly twenty varieties 
of wine and table grapes. The rest of his land 
is devoted to hay and stock piirposes. He is 
greatly interested in improving the cattle stock 
of Sonoma County, and has some splendid speci- 
mens of shorthorn Durhams, at the head of 
which is the famous bull " Fingermark." Ilis 
stock has been awarded several premiums in the 
agricultural fairs of Sonoma County. He is 
also raising some good draft and road horses. 
The products of his well known dairy are first- 
class in every respect, always commanding the 
highest market price. He has several times 
exhibited his dairy productions in the State and 
county fairs, where he has carried away the first 
pi'ize. Among the improvements on his dairy 
farm is a substantial dairy 16 by 28 feet, and a 
cellar 20 by 20 feet, well supplied with pure 
cold water. Mr. Piezzi is a practical dairyman, 
well schooled and versed in all tliat pertains to 
his calling. His success in the business is due, 
to a large extent, to his personal supervision 



over all the details in tlie management of his 
dairy. Mr. Piezzi came to Sonoma County a 
poor boy, with no ca])ital but sterling honesty 
and manly qualities coupled with energetic and 
industrious habits. They have rendered him 
successful in his calling and secured him a fair 
competency, and what is more than tliat, they 
have gained him the universal respect and esteem 
of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. 
He is a member of the following fraternal 
societies and orders: Evergreen Lodge, Xo. 
161, I. O. O. F., of Sebastopol; Rebecca Degree 
Lodge, No. 4-4, I. O. O. F. of Sebastopol; Santa 
Rosa Encampment, No. 53, I. O. O. F. ; Santa 
Rosa Lodge No. S7, K. of P.; Santa Rosa Divi- 
sion, No. 18, of the same order; Santa Rosa 
Lodge, No. 2208, K. of H.; Santa Rosa Grove, 
No. 47, U. A. D. He is a Past Arch of this 
Grove, and is now (1888) Grand Guardian of 
the Grand Grove of California, also District 
Deputy Arch of District No. 34. He is a 
school trustee in his district, and has for the past 
three years served as the clerk of the board and 
district. In politics he is a strong and consist- 
ent Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Piezzi have the 
following children: Lucy, born June 16, 1870; 
Julius J., April 5, 1881; and Benjamin Victor, 
January 7, 1886. 



fAPTAlN DANIEL G. JEWETT, of 
Healdsburg, is a native of Maine, born at 
Palmyra, Somerset County, December 1, 
1830, his parents being David H. and Hannah 
(Gale) Jewett, Both parents were representa- 
tives of old New England families, tiie paternal 
and maternal grandfathers of Daniel G. Jewett 
having both removed from New Hampshire to 
Maine. The subject of this sketch was reared 
to the age of sixteen years at the place of his 
birth; his parents then removed to Madison, 
Wisconsin. There he grew to manhood, and on 
reaching tiie age of twenty-one years he started 
out for himself, going to work in the pineries. 
His work there was varied with carpentering 



HlSTUliY OF tSONOMA COUNTY. 



36U 



and contracting until tiie breaking out of the 
Civil war. The first signal of the country's 
danger found him ready to offer his services in 
defense of the flag, and in April, 1861, his name 
was enrolled as a volunteer under the three 
months' call issued by President Lincoln. He 
jji-oceeded to Camp Utley, Racine, Wisconsin, 
where it was found that his services could not 
be accepted, as the State's quota had been fllled 
from other places, thus barring him and others 
out. His patriotic ardor was not dampened by 
this condition of affairs, and he took advantage 
of the first opportunity to enlist in the three- 
year service, being enrolled in Company I, 
Fourth Wisconsin, as a private. He proceeded 
with his command to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 
where muskets were served out, and then the 
regiment went to Baltimore, and were stationed 
at the Relay House, and in dstachments guarded 
railroads, bridges, and the Pikesville Arsenal. 
In the fall the regiment, with others, went on 
the Eastern Shore expedition, being on the pur- 
suit of AVise. Returning to JJaltimore, at 
Patterson Park they erected the Wisconsin 
Barracks. In the spring of 1862 they took 
passage opposite Norfolk, on the Great Eastern, 
for Ship Island, the regiment having been 
assigned to Butler's Division, Nineteenth Army 
Corps. After Farragut bad passed the forts at 
New Orleans, and the city had been siezed, the 
regiment went there as a part of the army of 
occupation. The monotony was broken during 
the summer by the movement up to Baton 
Rouge, and the next service of the command 
was on the first canal undertaken to flank the 
defenses of Vicksburg. While there. Captain 
Jewett witnessed the passage of the first Union 
gunboat under the guns of the rebel Gibraltar. 
The following winter was spent at Baton Rouge, 
where he was engaged during the Confederate 
attempt to take the city. From there he went 
to New Orleans, and was very sick in tlie hos- 
pital when the regiment went on Banks' Red 
River expedition, and it was only on their re- 
turn that he again joined his command, just 
before the investment of Port Hudson. Frum 



the 27th of May, when the advance on Port 
Hudson commenced, he was six days under fire 
with his command. He was in the raid to 
Clinton on the 3d of June. He led Company 
I, of tiie Fourth Wisconsin, in the assault on 
Port Hudson of June 14tli, his regiment and 
the Eighth New Hampshire being in advance. 
He led his company to the ditch in front of the 
batteries, which they gained before daylight. 
A charge of buckshot was fired at him, one ball 
grazing his arm and entering his thigh. While 
still standing in the same position, looking down 
the line, he saw a Confederate soldier looking 
over the works at him, with his piece aimed. 
He raised his own revolver to fire, but was too 
late, and the musket ball of the Confederate 
struck him full below the left eye, passing out 
behind the ear, a part of which member was 
taken ofl". All that day he lay where he fell, 
unconscious. When he recovered his senses it 
was night, but he saw lights moving about, and 
he was soon a prisoner. He remained in dur- 
ance until July 5th, the day of the surrender. 
He was furloughed, but remained in the service 
about a year, and was mustered out June 24, 
1864, at Sparta, Wisconsin, his wounds having 
left him in too battered a condition to allow of 
further service in the war. From Sparta he 
came to California in September, 1869. After 
three months at San Jose he came to Healds- 
burg. On his handsome place there are nine 
acres of choice fruit, the varieties being apples, 
peaches and plums. There are two acres of 
grapes which had been planted previous to his 
purchase of the place. The attractive appear- 
ance of the place is due to the taste and pains 
of Captain and Mrs. Jewett. TJieir marriage 
occurred at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, September 
22, 1863. Mrs. Jewett was formerly Miss Mary 
Merrill, a nati%^e of Maine, born in Glenbourn, 
near Bangor, and daughter of Andrew and Mary 
(Cummings) Merrill. Her father died in Maine, 
but her mother, who was born in 1800, is now 
living in Wisconsin. Mrs. Jewett is a lady of 
fine intellect; was a promoter of the Loyal 
Ladies' League, No. 4, Healdsburg (now K<ian- 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



oke Circle, JS'o. 4, Ladies of the 6. A. K.), and 
was its first president. Slie was elected senior 
vice of tlie State Department in 1887, and held 
the office one year. Captain Jewett is a mem- 
ber of Rod. Matlieson Post, G. A. R., of 
Healdsburg, and is a past commander. His 
record in the war was one of honorable service 
and promotion. He was appointed Sergeant of 
his company while yet- in Wisconsin, and at 
Baltimore, in December, 1861, was commis- 
sioned Second Lieutenant. His commission as 
First Lieutenant was given him at Baton Roiige, 
and as Captain at the same place in August, 
1863. 



f|f J. LUDWIG.— The study of human 
^; v character, as presented in the life-history 
•^^ ® of the successful man, is always both in- 
teresting and valuable, aftbrding, as it does, to 
others, and especially to the younger genera- 
tions, a series of practical lessons and examples 
of what should be done to make " life worth liv- 
ing." This is especially the case where the biog- 
raphy presented is that of a self-made man, 
one who, in the face of odds and difficulties that 
would deter most, yet manfully presses his way 
onward and wins victory from defeat, reaping 
the sweet fruition of success from the sterlie 
field of opposition and obstacle. It is always 
the most acceptable duty of the biographer to 
be assigned the pleasant task of writing the life 
of such a one, and such a one par excellence is 
the gentleman whose name heads "this sketch. 
He is a man of indomitable will, of persistent 
energy, of wonderful business capacity, and pos- 
sesses that most admirable quality of regarding 
difficulties and discouragements rather as the 
spnr to greater effort, than to yield to them in 
despair. Mr. Ludwig is descended from an old 
German family long resident in the State of 
Pennsylvania, where his parents lived near 
Carlisle until the year 1823, when they removed 
to Seneca County, Ohio, and settled at a point 
near the city of Tiffin. It was there that Mr. 



Ludwig was born in 1841. His father's name 
was Daniel Ludwig and his mother's maiden 
name was Miss Julia Frost. Mr. Ludwig re- 
mained at home until he reached liis majority, 
obtaining his education from the schools of the 
neighborhood, but gaining much more benefit 
from the correct bringing up at home, and the 
knowledge that a quick judgment gave him with 
increasing experience. From early childhood 
he displayed a most remarkable aptitude for 
construction and mechanism, and this proved to 
be the dominant and motive power in shaping 
his after career. At twelve years of age he 
began to learn the carpenter's trade, and at seven- 
teen he had full charge of a gang of men as fore- 
man, and from that time to the present has been 
actively engaged in the building and contract- 
ing business. In the year 1861 he married, the 
bride of his choice being Miss Mary R. Wolf, 
also a native of Seneca County, and a playmate 
of his youth. He then set out for himself, en- 
gaging in contracting and building in Seneca, 
Wyandot and adjoining counties, making his 
headquarters in and about McCutchenville. 
This he continued for some six years, when he 
perceived that the field was too limited for the 
full scope of his genius, and accordingly re- 
moved to Kansas City, then in the fall flood of 
its early boom days. During the five years of 
his residence there, which lasted from 1867 to 
1872, he was undoubtedly the heaviest contract- 
or and took and carried out the largest under- 
takings in that city up to and at that time. In 
1872 he decided to seek a more congenial cli- 
mate and removed to Colorado Springs in the 
State of Colorado. During the eigliteen months 
stay in that pleasant little town he was busily 
engaged in his profession, putting up among 
other buildings the well-known hotel, the Mani- 
tou Mansions, still the finest hosteh-y of that 
section. Finally, in 1874, he made his final 
change to this State, removing hither with his 
family, and locating permanently in Santa Rosa, 
the " City of the Roses." The coining of Mr. 
Ludwig to Santa Rosa has been a public bless- 
ing, and in fact it is currently said that " he has 



lIIbTOHY OF SONOMA VOUNTY. 



built the city," and tliat " he has done more for 
Santa liosa than any other man." That this is 
true one cannot help believing who will only 
take the trouble to inquire who erected these 
buildings by which the city is adorned. From 
the graceful and elegant Athenfeum Building 
and the substantial business blocks of the busi- 
ness center to scores of the handsome residences 
and endless numbers of smaller constructions, 
all of them liave been built by T. J Ludwig. 
In fact, every one of the tine brick blocks for 
which Santa Rosa is noted have been erected by 
Mr. Ludwig with the exception of two only, 
while hundreds of beautiful dwellings all attest 
his skill and energy. From the day he first 
arrived in the city he has held the front rank in 
his profession, and almost without a competitor. 
The mode of doing business is an entirely new 
one, and so meritorious that we give some little 
detail. Possessing a remarkable talent not 
alone for the carrying to completion of prepared 
designs, but as well, asingularlj' correct concep- 
tion of the principles upon which the different 
systems of architecture are based, and having 
extended practical experience in combining 
them, he makes rough designs of buildings, with 
dimensions, etc. These are dashed off hastily, 
but not crudely, and then passed into the hands 
of a skilled draftsman who is employed for the 
sole purpose of elaborating these designs, and 
completing the plans. Scores of these finished 
plans are kept in his office and are open to the 
inspection of those contemplating building, for 
the purpose of making a selection. It may be 
stated here in passing that his otiiee is one of 
peculiarly good taste and elegance and is hand- 
somely and appropriately fitted and furnished. 
In 1885 he converted his shops which stood 
opposite his home on B street, intoa first-class 
livery stable, by almost rebuilding them. In 
connection with Mr. George C. Tuttlehe isnow 
running what is undoubtedly one of the best 
and most modern livery stables in the State. 
But the lines mentioned do not include the full 
round of Mr. Ludwig's activities; for, besides 
lieingby far the greatest l)iiilder and contractor 



in this part of the State, if not the country, and 
interested in a livery stable, he is very exten- 
sively engaged with others in the manufacture 
of brick. Tliey are at present turning out 4.000,- 
000 a year and for a long time have been produc- 
ing nearly as many. Much of this great product 
is employed by Mr. Ludwig in the erection of his 
own buildings. He was a joint owner, also, 
until last spring, in the Santa Rosa planing 
mills and lumber company, one of the largest 
and finest mills on the Pacific slope, which con- 
verts millions of feet of the Ijeautiful and valu- 
able redwood timber into house furnishing 
materials of every kind. They own extensive 
limits of redwood in the coast range. Of 
course in all these varied enterprises a great 
force of men is employed, causing a continuous 
stream of money to flow into the hands of the 
business men and others, and promoting in a 
marked degree the prosperity of the section, or 
we may almost say, creating it. He disposed 
of his interests in these mills last spring, how- 
ever, in order to pay all his attention to his 
enormous and growing business of building in 
all its various departments. In September, 1887, 
he purchased thirty-one acres of land, formerly 
owned by Mr. Spridgeon, which lay southwest 
of Santa Rosa. This has been laid off into 128 
building lots and goes under the name of Lud- 
wig's Addition to Santa Rosa. It has been ex- 
tensively improved in the way of graded streets 
skirted by shade trees, and upon the lots which 
have each a frontage of fifty feet have been 
erected and sold some of the most elegant resi- 
dences in Santa Rosa, and as this addition lies 
only an easy ten minutes walk from the center 
of the city, it is l)ecoming the choicest residence 
quarter. A most noteworthy home residence 
of great beauty and elegance has been lately 
erected there by Mr. Harry Brown, certainly 
the finest .of its kind in the city. Mr. Ludwig 
also owns sixteen acres immediately south of 
that tract, which he has laid off into seventy-two 
town lots, and has already ten buildings con- 
structed upon it or noiv in course of completion. 
Two mill's southwest of the citv he owns KjO 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



acres which has been laid oif into five and ten 
acre tracts, and is now being planted out in fruit 
trees of various kinds, sucli as pears, plums, etc. 
Mr. Ludvvig is a great fancier of fine hor^e 
flesh, and owns one of the most complete and 
valuable stables in the interior of the State. 
Being a good judge of the desirable " points " 
in an animal, he has purchased promising colts 
and developed them into animals of great value. 
He recently sold a pair of Belmont mares for 
§1,600, and a horse of the Alexander breed, for 
wliicli he paid §400, he sold soon after for 
82,000. " George W," a full brother of the 
latter, with a record of 2:40 as a two-year-old, 
is still owned by him and valued at §5,000. 
The date of Mr. Liidwig's marriage has already 
been given. They have had five children, of 
whom three sons are living and a son and a 
daughter deceased. The home of Mr. Ludwig 
on B street, opposite his oiSce aud stables, is 
one of great beauty and elegance, and will bear 
comparison with the handsomest residences in 
Northern California. Mr. Ludwig is a man of 
the very highest type of American manhood, 
manly, direct, and go-ahead, with a pluck and 
energy that cannot be beaten down. He is a 
man of fine personal appearance, every feature 
glowing with individuality and ideas all his own, 
and possessing a strength of character all his 
own, and that magnetism which carries convic- 
tion with his ever}' act, yet withal he is kindly 
in disposition, generous and public-hearted and 
beloved by all. The citizens of Santa Rosa, as 
well as himself, feel a pride in his accomplish- 
ments, and as they look along Fourth street 
from the City PI all and the Santa Rosa Bank, 
which is by all means the handsomest and most 
attractive building in the city, down along to 
the depot, and recollect that every brick build- 
ing on both sides of the street with a single e.x- 
ception of the Occidental Hotel, are all his 
work, they cannot help a feeling of elation at 
the tremendous energy of one man, who has 
almost built a city. At the time of writing 
■he has under construction no less than fourteen 
stores with residence flats above and nine cot- 



tages in different parts of the city, and fifty 
buildings a year would be a low average fur his 
work. 



T^T 1 LL. HUNTLEY, of the real estate firm 
1/ \/ "t Abraham it Huntley, Healdsburg, is 

I'n^yPTi a native of Meigs County, Ohio, born 
July 13, 1844, and is a son of John and Louisa 
(Conner) Huntley. His father is a native of 
New York ('ity, and his mother of Meigs 
County, Ohio. When the subject of this sketch 
was three j-ears of age, his parents removed to 
Hancock County, Illinois, arriving at Warsaw 
the night that the Mormon temple at the neigh- 
boring town of Nauvoo v,as burned. The 
mother died during the following fall at the 
family home on the AVest Fork of Crooked 
Creek, Hancock County. In 1860 the father, 
together with a brother and his son Will, set 
out for California across the plains. The land 
marks of the journey were Nebraska City (where 
they crossed the Missouri), Fort Kearney (where 
they crossed the Platte), Independence Rock 
and Lander's cut-olf, thence to the head waters 
of the Humboldt, this route being chosen on 
account of hostile Indians, and as wagons enough 
could not be got together to protect themselves 
over other and more frequented ways. There 
were but three wagons in the party until they 
got to Independence Rock, when a train was 
made up of forty-five men capable of bearing 
arms. After reaching Susan ville they journeyed 
east of Shasta Butte and Yreka, crossed the 
Siskiyou to Oregon, and located at Dry Diggings, 
on Rogue River, near what is now Grant's Pass. 
The subject of this sketch attended Umpqua 
Academy at Wilbur, during the season of 
1863-'4, and in the summer assisted his father 
in farming. In the fall of that year he started 
out in life for himself and engaged in lumber- 
ing on the coast. The terms of 1864-'5 were 
again spent at Umpqua Academy, and during 
the summer of 1865 he taught school at Wil- 
bur. He assisted John M. Eberlein in starting 



BISTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



37a 



a mill on the South Umpqua, and was engaged 
in the lumber business for a time after its com- 
pletion; he also helped his father in the work 
of starting a saw-mill in Cammas Valley. 
When the work was completed he went again 
to Eberlein's mill and during the summer was 
engaged in harvesting in Umpqua Yallcy. 
Next he drove a number of hogs to Ashland 
Mills, Rogue River Yalley, and while there was 
employed in the work ol' carpentering, a trade 
he had previously become familiar with. In 
the winter of 1868 he returned to the Umpqua 
country, locating at Ten-Mile. In 1870 he 
went to Portland, Oregon, and after a month or 
two, to Vancouver, Washington Territory. 
Thence he returned to Portland, and in May 
went to the Dalles, east of the Cascade Moun- 
tains, and from there to the head waters of 
North Fork of John Day River, thence to 
Caiion City, on Middle Fork. After running a 
saw-mill there two months, he went to Camp 
Harney, and there engaged in making hay for 
the Government for two months. He then 
served in the quartermaster's department till 
January, 1871. Thence he went to Canon City, 
and to South Fork of John Day River, and then 
taught a term of school. In the summer of the 
same year he built a saw-mill for T. P. Dean, 
fifteen miles southwest of Canon City. During 
the winter of 1871-'2 he taught school near the 
latter place, and in the following summer ran a 
steam saw-mill. In the fall he went to Idaho, 
and engaged in teaching school on Dry Creek. 
In the summer of 1873 he built a large barn 
there, and that fall constructed a suspension 
bridge across Boise River for William Litell. 
Thence he traveled, mostly afoot, to Kelton, 
Utah, and from there to Salt Lake City, then 
back to Ogden, from there to Omaha, Burling- 
ton, Carthage, Illinois, and the vicinity of his 
old home in Hancock County, at Huntley's 
Mills. He spent the winter there and in Janu- 
ary went to Parsons, Kansas, taught school, and 
on the 6th of May started back to California. 
He went first to San Francisco, then to Liver- 
more. After that he returned to San Francisco 



and took an ocean steamer for Crescent City, 
thence overland to the mouth of Rogue River, 
and was engaged in mining until the spring of 
1881. During that time he made two trips 
back East, once via St. Louis to the Centennial 
at Philadelphia and back by the way of Chicago. 
In 1881 he went to Napa Yalley, and in the 
fall came to Healdsburg, where he engaged in 
carpentering. In 1888 he became a member of 
the firm of Abraham <fc Huntley, real estate, loan 
and insurance brokers. Mr. Huntley is a member 
of the Healdsburg Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and of 
the local fire department, being a member of 
the standing committee. Politically, he is a 
Republican. The life of Mr. Huntley has been 
an eventful one, full of adventures in unsettled 
regions. 



fREDERICK A. WOODWOPtTH, the can- 
didate of the American party for Repre- 
sentative from Sonoma County in the 
campaign of 1888, is a native of California, 
having been born in San Francisco October 12, 
1858. The Woodworths rank among the oldest 
of American families. AValter Woodworth, 
from whom the subject of this sketch is in the 
direct line of descent, is on record as having 
been appointed wolf-catcher by the authorities 
of Scituate, Massachusetts, in 1635. He was of 
English origin, and from him has sprung a 
family, many of whose representatives have 
made for themselves names high in the learned 
professions, in letters and in mercantile life. 
Samuel Woodworth, grandfather of F. A., was 
the author of the "Old Oaken Bucket," that 
most touching production which will ever have 
a place among the best of American songs. 
He was born and reared at Scituate, and drifted 
at an early age to New York, where he became 
a printer. His genius soon found for him fit 
associates, and he became connected with Morris, 
the poet, and Nathaniel B. Willis, and they to- 
gether edited the New York Mirror. He died 
while yet a resident of New York, but his re- 



HISTORY OP bONOMA COUNTY. 



mains have foiiud their final resting place in the 
Woochvorth family vault at San Francisco. 
Selim E. Woodworth, father of F. A., was one 
of a family of ten children. When sixteen 
years of age he went into the navy. When the 
troubles with Mexico came on in 1846, his ves- 
sel was cruising on the Pacific coast, and he 
took part in the naval portion of the war which 
followed. After the cessation of liostilities he 
resigned with the rank of Lieutenant and settled 
in California. He was chosen as member of 
the first Territorial Legislature of California, at 
Monterey, and bore an honorable part in its 
proceedings. He was one of the foremost pro- 
moters of the first San Francisco vigilance com- 
mittee (1851), and was its president. When 
the Civil war came on he again volunteered liis 
services in behalf of his country, and served 
through all that struggle as a commander in the 
navy. He liad become possessed of valuable 
real estate in the city and was tlie owner of the 
100-vara lot on which the Grand Hotel was 
built, and which propertj' is now owned by the 
familv. He was married in 1856 to Miss 
Lizette Flohr, a native of Baltimore. He died 
in San Francisco and his widow is now a resi- 
dent of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Frederick 
A. Woodworth, wliose name heads this sketch 
spent his early boyhood in Sau Francisco. 
For purposes of education he was sent to 
Europe, and for three years attended the schools 
at Dresden, afterward other institutions else- 
where in Germany and France. On his re- 
turn to America he attended military school at 
Sing Sing, New York, and in 1875 entered the 
Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, and 
subsequently entered Trinity College, Hartford, 
Connecticut. In 1877 he commenced attendance 
at Hasting's Law School, San Fi-ancisco, and 
for two years prosecuted his legal studies, read- 
ing with Delos Lake. After a trip to Europe, 
he located on a ranch in Fresno County and was 
one of the first to embark in grape growing 
there. He afterward removed to Tulare County, 
and from there to Sonoma County in May, 
1888. Here he has wliat is known as the 



Everett ranch, a mile and a quarter west of 
Healdsburg. It contains 247 acres, all of which 
is utilized tor pasture, farming or tlie cultiva- 
tion of the grape, with perhaps seven or eight 
acres of orchard. The vineyard of sixty acres 
contains mainly Zinfandel vines, while the re- 
mainder of the acreage is well divided between 
the different varieties of fine Frencli wine 
grapes. All the grapes are made into wine on 
the place, and there are now sufficient in bear- 
ing to make from 12,000 to 15,000 gallons of 
wine in 1888. It is the intention of Mr. Wood- 
worth to keep his wine a sufiicient length of 
time to realize for himself the benefits of the 
added age. The winery, a first- class stone struct- 
ure, with the best appointments, has storage arid 
capacity and cooperage for 50,000 gallons. The 
ranch is well watered by springs, all of the 
water from these sources being collected in two 
reservoirs, one a concrete aflfair of 25,000 gal- 
lons capacity. Mr. AVood worth devotes his time 
to the improvement and proper working of the 
place. He is a member of Fresno Parlor, No. 
42, N. S. G. W., of which he was one of the 
organizers, and also belongs to the Society of 
California Pioneers at San Francisco. He is a 
member of Fresno Lodge, No. 249, F. & A. M. 
While at Fresno he was active in the first efforts 
toward the establishment of the present Amer- 
ican party movement. 



*YKD S. YOUNG, M. D., one of the rep- 
resentative physicians of this county, and 
president of Sonoma County Medical So- 
ciety, was born of South Carolina parents, in 
Jackson County, Tennessee, in 1831. His fa- 
ther, James Young, was a planter and a mer- 
chant; served that count}' as sherift' for a !ium- 
ber of years, and was also a member of the State 
Legislature. The subject of this sketch began 
studying for the medical profession at the age 
of eighteen years, but before completing tlie 
course, on attaining his majority, he went into 
the mercantile business with his l)rother, contin- 




y /# Hhi^tt 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTT. 



uing several years. Concluding to complete 
the preparation for his chosen calling, Mr. 
Young attended school at Bnrritt College, Ten- 
nessee, and commenced practice in his native 
county with Dr. Paul Clay. Desiring to better 
equip himself by educational training for his 
profession, Dr. Young went to Chicago in the 
fall of 1857 and entered Rush Medical College, 
where he subsequently graduated. He at once 
began practice in that city under the direction 
of Dr. Brainard. In January, 1861, he returned 
to Tennessee, and again, in 1864, returning to 
Chicago, he purchased mules and other neces- 
sary articles for an outfit with which to cross 
the plains to California. The train he accom- 
panied, composed of fifty-four wagons, left Bur- 
lington, Iowa, April 12, 1864, and Omaha a 
month later. They stopped a week in Salt Lake 
City and a week in Sacramento, where heloaded 
his teams for Oakland, arriving there in Au- 
gust. He settled in Oakland and pursued his 
profession about two years, in which time his 
health became seriously impaired by the trying 
sea-shore climate, and he removed to St. Helena, 
Napa County. During the ten years of his res- 
idence there Dr. Young's health was entirely 
restored, and he enjoyed an extensive and lucra- 
tire practice. AVishing to give his two daugh- 
ters better educational advantages than the 
Napa Valley aftbrded, the Doctor removed, in 
1875, to Santa Rosa, where he soon secured and 
has maintained a fine professional business. In 
1856 Dr. Young was united in marriage with 
Miss Carrie B., daughter of Samuel Bell, a 
prominent citizen of Cayuga County, New 
York, and a warm personal friend of Hon. 
William H. Seward. Dr. and Mrs. Young have 
two children, Minnie E. and Neva, both of 
whom are graduates of the Pacific Methodist 
College. The eldest is married to Mr. Kolliker 
and resides in Sacramento. Dr. Young has 
taken an active interest in whatever tends to 
improve and elevate society in Santa Rosa, as 
well as in its material prosperity. He has served 
eight or ten years as a member of the city board 
of education; has been a trustee of Woodland 



College ever since it was chartered; was physi- 
cian of the Sonoma County Hospital three 
years; is a member of the California State 
Medical Society, and president of the Sonoma 
County Medical Society. Besides their beauti- 
ful home on East Fourth street, Dr. Young 
owns real estate interests in Tulare County and 
some redwood lands in Mendocino County. 



fHOMAS JEFFERSON PROCTOR was 
born April 12,1825, in Jessamine County, 
Kentucky. At the age of twenty-one 
years he entered the Mexican war as Lieutenant 
in Company F, United States Volunteers, un- 
der Captain Willis. He fought in the battle of 
Buena Vista two da^'s and a night withoutfood. 
After serving fourteen months he was dis- 
charged and returned home. Mr. Proctor was 
married May 4, 1848, to Joanna P. Thomas, a 
native of Mercer County, Kentucky. In 1851 
they moved to Trenton, Grundy County, Mis- 
souri. There Mr. Proctor was engaged in con- 
tracting and building for twelve years, and in 
that time did a great deal of business. May 4, 
1862, they left Trenton, came across the coun- 
try to Oregon, arrived in Powder River Valley 
September 7; resided in Baker County one 
year and in Union County four years. In 
the spring of 1863 he erected a large liotel be- 
tween Baker City and Union, known as the 
" Kentucky House," and conducted it four 
years, doing a large business. He sold it and 
in 1867 catne to Santa Itosa, where he passed 
the remainder of his life. Up to 1875 he was 
engaged in various business enterprises. That 
year he opened a real estate ofiice, founding the 
real estate firm of Proctor, lieynolds & Co., the 
oldest real estate ofiice in the city. He was 
appointed mayor of Santa Rosa September 24, 
1878, and was elected supervisor in 1883 or '84. 
Mr. Proctor was a member of the city council 
several years, and also served a number of years 
as a member of the board of education of Santa 
Rosa. He was an active mover in securing the 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



erection of the new court house, and in having 
the county hospital moved to the county tarni. 
He died December 6, 1S86, leaving a widow 
and one son, Thomas A. Proctor. Mr. and 
Mrs. Proctor lost two adult sons, Edward P. 
and "William M. Mr. Proctor was a tine speci- 
men of manhood and would attract attention in 
any crowd. He was a man of s\'mpathetic and 
benevolent nature, and contriljuted many a dol- 
lar, in a quiet way, to the worthy poor from 
whom his death wrung tears of sorrow for the 
loss of their benefactor. Thomas A. Proctor 
was born in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, January 
12, 1855. He was educated in Santa Rosa in 
tlie public schools, at the Pacific Methodist Col- 
lege, and also took a course in a business col- 
lege. Leaving school at the age of seventeen, 
he opened a gents" furiiishing store in Santa 
Rosa in 1873. and successfully conducted the 
same for thi-ee years, when, on account of ill- 
health, he sold out. lie was then employed as 
a bookkeeper for about a year, after which he 
entered the employ of "Wells, Fargo & Co. He 
has tilled various positions for the company in 
the past twelve years. October 12, 1884, he 
took charge of the company's office and business 
in Santa Rosa, and is manager of the Express 
and Western Union Telegraph business. He 
was married May 14, 1884, to Miss Mary E. 
McEwen, a San Francisco lady. In 1885 he 
built his beautiful home on Third street, east of 
D street. 



fAMES "W. KELLY.— The subject of this 
sketch is one of the representative and suc- 
cessful farmers and dairymen of Sonoma 
County. He was born in Cork, Ireland, in 1841, 
his parents being "William and Ellen (Kenfick) 
Kelly, both natives of the same country. His 
mother died when he was but a few years of age. 
Mr. Kelly was the only child in the family, and 
in 1850 his father emigrated to the United 
States, bringing his son with him. L'pon his 
arrival he located in Massachusetts, where the 



subject of this sketch was reared and schooled 
until 1854. At that early age he commenced 
life upon his own account. His first work was 
in a lumber mill. He worked there until 1856 
and then went to Keokuk, Towa, where he re- 
mained until the ne.xt year. He then proceeded 
to Monroe' County, Missouri, where he was en- 
gaged principally in farm labor until IStil. In 
that year he came to California and joined his fa- 
ther who hadpreceded him 1854. and was located 
in San Francisco. Soon after ilr. Kelly arrived 
at that place he engaged in work for John Mil- 
ler, in the furniture factory of the McDonald 
Bros, in that city. He continued this occupa- 
until 1863. He then went to Nevada with the 
intention of engaging in mining, but ill-health 
compelled an abandonment of that project, and 
he proceeded to Oregon, locating at Portland. 
There he engaged in the manufacture of furni- 
ture until 1865. He then returned to San Fran- 
cisco and resumed work for his old employer, 
]\Ir. Miller. In 18G7 Mr. Kelly married Miss 
Mary Pierce, a daughter of Patrick and Mary 
(Donlon) Pierce, nativesof Roscommon County, 
Ireland. He continued his work in the furni- 
ture manufactory until 1871. In that year he 
came to Sonoma County, and located at Clover- 
dale, where he rented land and entered upon 
farm operations. In 1872 he moved to Santa 
Rosa Township, and rented a farm on Santa 
Rosa Creek, where he remained for two years. 
He then rented a farm near John "Walker's place 
at Sebastopol, which he successfully conducted 
until 1876. In that year he rented a farm on 
the Santa Rosa and Sebastopol road, in the 
Llano school district, six miles west of Santa 
Rosa, and one mile east of Sebastopol. Here 
Mr. Kelly entered into farming and the dairy 
business, a business which he has successfully 
conducted since that date. He afterward pur- 
chased the farm which he rented and from time 
to time purchased adjoining lands until he 
owned a tract comprising 540 acres. A short 
time ago he sold off a portion of his land and 
now (1888) is the owner of 815 acres of pro- 
I ductive farm lands. Among the improvements 



UISTOUY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



he lias made upon his hiiul is the planting oF 
thirty acres in grape vines of the Zinfandel va- 
riety for wine purposes, also a family vineyard 
coiitaininfra large variety of table grapes. Hehas 
seven acres in orchard producing apples, peaches, 
French prunes, ])ears, plums and other fruit. 
One hundred acres are in hay and grain, and the 
rest is devoted to stock-raising. There are eighty 
head of cattle upon this farm, forty of which 
are milch cows used for dairy purposes. These 
cattle are mostly Durham stock. Mr. Kelly 
raises only such horses as are required on the 
farm. The subject of this sketch is well known 
in Sonoma County as an enterprising and pub- 
lic spirited citizen. His success in life has 
been due to his sterling (Qualities and straight 
forward dealing, coupled with an energetic pros- 
ecution of his business. He is a member of 
Evergreen Lodge, No. 161, I. O. O. F., at St- 
bastopol, and of Santa Rosa Encampment, No. 
53, I. O. 0. F. He is also a member of the 
A. O. U. W. of Santa liosa, and of the Se- 
bastopol Lodge of Chosen Friends. He is a 
school trustee of his district, and has ever 
taken a deep interest in the public schools. 
Politically, he is a liberal and conservative Dem- 
ocrat. The following are the children of Mr. 
and Mrs. Kelly: William H., J. P., Edward T., 
Frank, George Ivobert and Thomas E. The 
fourth child, John Josejih, died at the age of 
eight years. 

JI^ILLIAM H. MANION is one of So- 
wvtiv'll noma County's favorite sons. He dates 
l-!^J^ his birth in Bennett Valley, Santa Rosa 
Township, October 16, 1856. He is the son 
of William and Elizabeth (Barnett) Manion, 
early settlers of Sonoma County. Mr. Mat)ion 
was reared to farm life upon his father's farm, 
receiving his education in the public schools of 
his district, and later in the Santa Rosa College. 
After the death of iiis father, which occurred in 
October, 1887, Mr. Manion commenced the im- 
provement and cultivation of his portion of the 



estate, which is situated on the Santa Rosa and 
Petaluraa road. He is also the owner of 400 
acres of land in Bennett Valley, which is devoted 
to stock-growing. Mr. Manion is a member 
of the Native Sons of the Golden West, and 
was a charter member of Parlor No. 28, of 
Santa Rosa. He is also a member of Santa Rosa 
Lodge, No. 53, L O. O. F. In 1887 he was 
united i^n marriage with Miss Sarah Johnson, 
the daughter of Snelling and Amanda (Pierce) 
Johnson, residents of Oregon, but formei'lj of 
Napa Count3\ 



JI^I^ILLIAM MANION, deceased.— Among 
'WmP ^^^^ pioneer and representative farmers 
I'-T^^I of Santa Rosa Township was the sub- 
ject of this sketch, a brief resume of whose life 
is well fitted to appear in the history of Sonoma 
County. Mr. Manion was the son of Edmund 
and Elizabeth Manion. natives of the State of 
Kentucky. Mr. Manion was born in the same 
State in the year 1816, and when a youth went 
with his father's family to Missouri, locating in 
Cooper County and afterward in La Fayette 
County, where the father was engaged in farm- 
ing and stock-raising. Mr. Manion was reared 
on a farm, receiving such educational advan- 
tages as the common schools of pioneer 
settlements aiforded. In 1847 he entered the 
Mexican war, enlisting in the Missouri Regiment 
of cavalry commanded by Colonel Doniphan. 
This regiment was engaged in Kqw Mexico and 
also on the plains against the Indians. Mr. 
Manion served until tlie discharge of tiie regi- 
ment from the service in 1848. Soon after his 
discharge he returned home and was united in 
marriage with Miss Rebecca Hatton, the dau'fh- 
ter of Joseph and Millie Hatton, residents of 
La Fayette County, Missouri. Mr. Manion 
engaged in farming and stock-raising in that 
county until 1850, in which year he crossed the 
plains to California, attracted here by the pio- 
neer instincts that were born in him as much as 
by the gold fever that was sweeping over the 



380 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



land. As before stated be was reared as a farm- 
er, but arriving in California in the tall of the 
year, when hills and valleys were sere and brown, 
he concluded the occupation of a farmer must 
be a hard one in this country, so he turned his 
attention to mining. In 1850 he had the 
misfortune to lose his wife. Slie had followed 
his fortunes even to the hardships of a miner's 
camp. This was more than her frail system 
could bear, and, after a brief illness, death called 
her home, ^so children were born from this 
marriage. Mr. Manion continued his mining 
wilh varying success until 1852, when, tired of 
that life, he sought a more congenial occupation 
in the fertile valleys of Sonoma County. His 
first location here was in Los Guilicos Valley, 
where he rented land from Martin Hudson until 
1853, when he located in Bennett Valley. In 
1852 he married for his second wife Miss Eliza- 
beth Barnett, the daughter of Jaines and Rebec- 
ca (Bryant) Barnett, natives of Kentucky. Mrs. 
Manion came across the plains to California in 
1851, accompanied by her brother, who died on 
the plains, leaving her to the care of her friends 
with whom they were traveling. The subject 
of this sketch was one of the pioneer farmers of 
Bennett Valley, and soon came to be recognized 
as a tine representative of his class, taking a lead 
in agriculture and stock-raising. He remained 
in that valley until 1873, when he moved to 
Santa Rosa Valley and located two miles south 
of Santa Rosa, on the Petaluma road, where he 
purchased 2(50 acres of choice lands upon which 
he continued his farming operations (also still 
owning 400 acres in Bennett Valley) until his 
death, which occurred October 11, 1887. In 
the death of Mr. Manion the community lost 
one of its most worthy and respected citizens. 
He was a man who for over thirty-five years had 
been identified with the best interests of Sono- 
ma County, a public spirited, enterprising, pro- 
gressive farmer, and one who ever stood ready 
to aid in any enterprise that tended to advance 
the welfare of and benefit the community in 
which he so long resided. To his family he 
was ever the indulgent husband, father and 



friend. He was a sincere and consistent mem- 
ber of the Christian church, practicing his pre- 
cepts in full. A strong supporter of churches 
and schools, he was always ready to aid in the 
establishing of both, without regard to denomi- 
nation or sect. In him the poor and needy 
always found a cheerful and liberal benefactor. 
From the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Manion 
there are four children living: William Henry, 
a sketch of whom appears in this work; Sarah 
Frances, born April 29, 1859, lives on a portion 
of the old homestead, and is the wife of W. C. 
WooUey; Lilly Belle, born June 24, 1864; and 
Louella, born November 27, 1866. Mrs. Man- 
ion and her two youngest daughters are residing 
on the old homestead. 



I^JCHARD E. LEWIS, one of the substan- 
^f^\ tial men of Mendocino Township, is a 
•=^ native of Wales, born February 22, 1829, 
and a son of Richard and Rachel (Evans) 
Lewis. In 1840 the family emigrated to* 
America and located on the bluffs of St. Clair 
County, Illinois, where Caseyville now stands. 
In 1848 R. E. Lewis took a trip to New Mex- 
ico as a teamster, and from there returned to 
St. Clair County, where he remained until 
1850. In March of the latter year he started 
with a St. Louis party for California. The 
train was made up between Independence, Mis- 
souri, and Westport, at which point they crossed 
the Missouri River. While on the Platte the 
train became aiflicted with cholera, and as a con- 
sequence, they split up in little parties. Mr. 
Lewis came via Salt Lake, at which point he 
and two friends traded their oxen for horses, and 
packed across to California, following the Car- 
son route, the men walking the most of the 
way. Before they had completed their journey 
their horses had all either given out or had been 
stolen, so that when they arrived at Sacramento, 
on the 20th of October, they had little to en- 
cumber them in the way of personal effects. 
Mr. Lewis went to the mines at Nevada City, 



lIItiTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



south of Yuba. He followed mining, however, 
only until February following, at which time he 
located on the Catata ranch, four miles below 
Santa Rosa. In 1S5C he sold out and took 
charge of the flouring mill of Felty Millei-, on 
Mill Creek, which he operated for six years. 
He then bought a ranch on Dry Creek, and after 
making many improvements, sold out in Janu- 
ary, 186S, and located where he now resides, on 
the Gnerneville road, four miles tVom Healds- 
burg. Mr. Lewis's ranch presents a fine ap- 
pearance to the passer-by. The vineyard, 
abutting upon the road, is splendidly kept, and 
through It a spacious avenue extends back to 
the residence, which occupies a good location 
near the center of the ranch. Back of this is 
the farming land. The vineyard covers sixty- 
five acres of ground, and all the vines were 
planted in 1883. Sixty-five acres are Zinfan- 
dels, while the remainder are selected varieties 
of table grapes. Their quality is excellent and 
he has had no difficulty in finding a shipping 
market for them. The only improvement of 
any note which Mr. Lewis has not put upon the 
place is an orchard of three acres, which is 
about thirty years old. The trees, which are 
apple, pear, plum, almond, etc., are yet pro- 
lific, and bear good fruit. The remainder of the 
place is devoted to general farming, corn, alfalfa 
and potatoes being the usual crops. The ground 
is so rich that these always do well. He usually 
has about forty acres in alfalfa, and this being 
cut three times per annum produces an average 
crop of six tons per acre. Corn, to which he 
usually devotes froin ten to twenty acres of 
bottom land, avernges fully forty bushels to the 
acre. All in all, this is a model farm, and re- 
flects credit upon ]\rr. Lewis, to whom its pres- 
ent prosperous condition is due. Mr. Lewis 
was married January 5, 1858, to Mrs. Nancy 
Poe (whose maiden name was Gunther), a native 
of McDonald County, Missouri, who came 
across the plains to California in 1857. Mr. 
and Mrs. Lewis have seven living children, viz. •, 
Rachel, wife of "William Keely; Rebecca, wife 
of Crook Martin, a resident of Santa Maria, 



Santa Barbara County; Adeline, wife of Clem- 
ent Mothorn; Cashia, wife of Perry Mothorn; 
Augusta, wife of Benjamin Nichols (the three 
latter are residents of Sonoma County); Lena 
and Prudie, at home. Mrs. Lewis has a daugh- 
ter by her first marriage, Mary, wife of William 
King, of SoTioma County. Politically Mr. Lewis 
is a Republican. He takes an active interest 
in educational affairs and has been a school 
trustee in his district for twenty years. He is 
one of the old settlers of Sonoma County, and 
has been an eye-witness to most of the changes 
which have transformed it from a wilderness to 
its present conditiuM. In 1860 he also located 
and obtained a State patent of 200 acres of 
timber land on Russian River where Gnerne- 
ville now stands, and still owns 258 acres ad- 
joining. In 1872 he discovered and located a 
quicksilvei- mine, four miles north of Gnerne- 
ville, called the Great Eastern Mine, of which 
at the present time he owns one-fourth interest 
and is manaser of same. 



m^ARRISOX WHITE.— Among the repre- 
Hp^ scntative and productive orchards of Santa 
^11 Rosa Township, that owned by the above 
named gentleman is worthy of special mention. 
Mr. White is the owner of twenty-five acres 
located on the Middle Petaluma road, in the 
Hearn school district, two miles south of Santa 
Rosa. This orchard was planted by Mr. White 
in 1883, and contains 2,878 trees, classified as 
follows: 1,750 French prunes, 400 Bartlett 
pears, 200 Newtown pippin apples, 75 Ben Davis 
apples, 50 each of winter Nellis pears, Easter- 
bury pears, and white winter pearmain apples, 
25 each of Oregon silver prunes, egg plums, 
and winter Bellflower apples, 100 trees of 
peaches and other varieties of fruit. Berries 
of all kinds are also successfully grown without 
irrigation. The improvements upon this place 
are first-class in every respect; among them is a 
handsome cottage residence of modern architect- 
ural design, well fitted with all the conveniences 



HI STORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



and comforts tliat cliaracterize a well ordered 
home. Mr. White was born in Buncoinbe 
Count}-, North Carolina, in 1S31, and is the 
son of William and Sarah (B:iker) White, the 
former a native of North Carolina and the lat- 
ter of Georgia. In his youth his parents moved 
to Georgia and later to Madison County, Mis- 
souri, where the subject of this sketch was 
reared as a farmer, and received liis education 
in the common schools. In 1852 lie came over- 
land to California, driving his own team. The 
train to which he was attached was the first to 
enter the State by the " Hennis Pass " route, 
and, upon their arrival at Hennis and Jack- 
son's ranch, they found their further progress 
with wagons impossible, and were compelled to 
disband and pack their effects over rough trails 
into Downieville. Arriving at that place Sep- 
tember 15, 1852, he immediately commenced 
mining, which he continued with fair success 
until the next year. He was also connected with 
White, Thacher & Co., in putting in a mining 
flume at Little Rich Bar, one and one half miles 
below Downieville, after which he wenttoOus- 
ley's Bar and worked for Jacob Wiser. In 
1854 he purchased the well-known Wiser ferry 
on the Yuba River, which he conducted for the 
next five years, at the same time being engaged 
in mercantile pursuits, and having a store at 
Ousley's Bar and one at Poverty Flat. He was 
also engaged in other well remembered enter- 
prises of that day, being largely interested in 
the Goodwin and Story Ditch, the Prairie Ditch 
(known as the Webb and Clark Ditch), and the 
Dry Creek toll bridge. Mr. White was success- 
ful in his business enterprises. He sold his 
ferry in 1859 to Elliott, Barnes ct Lloyd, who 
afterward moved the same to Jacin to on the Sac- 
ramento River, and in 1862 sold his interest in 
the Dry Creek bridge. In 1865 he located 
at Gold Run in Placer County, and, under 
the firm name of Mason & White, he and his 
partner established stores at Gold Run, Hunt's 
Hill, Truckee and You Bet. These various 
enterprises were successfully conducted until 
1872, when he sold out his interests and lo- 



cated in Humboldt County, where, in connec- 
tion with A. B. lluyck, he purchased the stock 
and ranch of Coleman & Graham, and for the 
next ten years was extensively engaged in wool 
growing, keeping from 3,500 to 4,000 head of 
sheep. He was later connected with J. B. Caster- 
lin, under the firm nameof White ifeCasterlin. 
In 1882 he sold out his interests to Dr. O. S. 
Phelps, and, after traveling extensively through 
the State, purchased sixteen acres of vineyard 
property near St Helena, upon which he resided 
until 1883, when he sold out and took up his 
present residence. Mr. White is an energetic 
and intelligent man with sound business prin- 
ciples, which he is applying to his horticultural 
industry, and, like his other enterprises, he is 
making a success of it. As a miner, merchant, 
stock-grower and capitalist, he is widely known 
in California and particularly in the mining 
districts. His consistent course of life and his 
honorable dealings with his fellow men have 
gained him a laVge circle of friends. Politi- 
cally, he is a Denaocrat. In 1869 Mr. White 
was united in marriage with Miss Sophia J. 
Holmes, a native of Maine. None of their four 
children are now livino-. 



AMUEL I. ALLEN, one of Santa Rosa's 
^1 most energetic and public-spirited busi- 
ness men, was born in Brown County, 
Ohio, forty-two years ago. His father, John 
D. Allen, was a native of Ireland, born July 3, 
1802. In the spring of 1875 the subject of 
this sketch left the Buckeye State for Califor- 
nia. After spending two years in Mendocino 
County, he came to Santa Rosa and for ten 
years he has been conducting a successful busi- 
ness in this city, in the way of fresh dressed 
meats. Mr. Allen is a man of positive convic- 
tions on all subjects, and being a Republican in 
politics, has taken an active part in advancing 
the interests of the party of his political faith. 
He served in the Legislature in the session of 
1884-'85, representing the Twenty-fourth Dis- 



UltiTOHY OF hiONOMA COUNTY. 



38;^ 



trict. Mr. Allen was chairinaii of the Repub- 
licaTi County Central Committee during the 
Presidental campaign of 1888. 

W% S. P.PtYANT, one of the old Californians 
T 'ijj now a resident of Sonoma County, was 
"Ss? ^ born at Cambridge, Massachnsetts, Sep- 
tember 28, 1823, his parents being Amos and 
Sophia (Orcutt) Bryant. Both parents came of 
old New England familiL'S, and both were of 
English descent. The paternal grandfather of 
D. S. Bryant was born at North Redding, ten 
miles from Boston. When the subject of this 
sketch was a mere child he lost his father by 
death. Mr. Bryant was reared in his native 
town, Cambridge, and in its public schools was 
fitted for Andover College. Before his inten- 
tion to enter that well known institution of 
learning could be carried out, circnmstances oc- 
curred which caused him to change his plans, 
and at the age of seventeen years he entered a 
Boston store as a clerk. This occupation en- 
gaged his attention, with the exception of one 
summer spent in New York, until 1849, when 
he joined the tide of emigration to California. 
From boyhood he had made natural history a 
study, and his decision to go to California was 
probably induced, more than from any otlier 
reason, by a knowledge that this coast would 
present a good field for labor in his chosen de- 
partment of science. Hence it was that among 
his effects was a complete taxidermist's outfit, 
and some fine specimens of sea fowl were capt- 
ured and stuffed by him on the voyage. His 
ship, the Ilannihal (Captain Willis), left I>os- 
ton in November, 1849, and after a pleasant 
journey, via Cape Horn, cast anchor in San 
Francisco harbor May 2, 1850. In that place 
Mr. Bryant found any kind of labor in demand, 
and at ])rices so remunerative that natural his- 
tory work was tem])orarily laid aside for more 
practical and more prosaic pursuits. A few 
months after landing he decided to go into the 
cattle business, choosing the Mission Dolores as 



temporary headquarters and purchasing a fifty 
vara lot from Jesus Noe about where the Jewish 
cemetery now is. This lot was part of the 
Mexican grant to Noe, who was much troubled 
with squatters, and when Mr. Bryant purchased 
the lot, paying $90 for it, he uidcnowingly made 
friends with the Mexicans, who ever after re- 
spected his brand and gave information where 
any stray cattle might be found with his iron 
upon tiiem. It was not the amount jiaid for 
the lot, but the fact of iiis admitting that Noe 
owned the land, and when the deed was made 
out in the old adobe adjoining the church, Mr. 
i^ryant was introduced to several of Senor Noe's 
friends as the "Americano who did not squat."' 
He resided at the Mission for about six months, 
then, in company with R. S. Eaton, bought the 
entire Visitacion Valley (1,100 acres). He 
built there a small house lor a residence, and 
continued buying and selling cattle in partner- 
ship with Mr. Eaton for eleven months, when 
he purchased the latter's interest and thus be- 
came possessed of everything on the ranch. 
After selling 300 acres to Henry Schwerin (who 
is still living on the land), the remainino- 800 
acres was sold in June, 1853, to Dr. William 
Gwyn, George Penn Johnston and Mr. Cook of 
Palmer, Cook & Co., together with the stock 
and tools. He then went East with no inten- 
tion of ever returning to the Pacific coast. In 
1857, however, he again came "West, via Pana- 
ma, and after a short stay in San Francisco, 
came to Sonoma County, and followed ranching 
in the vicinity of the town of Sonoma for 
five years. He then went to San Francisco and 
embarked in the grain business. After the 
third year the firm became Bryant & Cook, so 
continuing for twenty years until the death of 
Mr. Cook in 1886. His home, however, had 
been in Oakland. In October, 1887, Mr. 
Bryant purchased twenty-eight acres of choice 
land at Hassett's Grove, adjoining Healdsburor, 
and has since resided there. He has ten acres 
of Zinfandel grapes, the vines being in a very 
healthy condition and well cared for. There is 
no better land in California than in this tract, 



381 



nr^TORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



and the owner has made some substantial im- 
provements on the place. Mr. Bryant was mar 
ried at Marlborough, Massachusetts, in Decem- 
ber, 1853, to Miss Susan Hastings Ilowe, a 
native of that place and a representative of an 
old New England family. Mr. and Mrs. Bryant 
were the parents of lour children, of whom one, 
Herman B., is deceased. He was born at San 
Francisco, graduated from the high school in 
Oakland at the age of seventeen, and from the 
University of California at twenty-one, and 
went to San Diego. He died there at the age 
of twenty-three years and ten and a half months. 
The living children are Hattie B., widow of 
Melville C. Wilson (who died in 1883); Marcia 
L., who is a graduate of Oakland high school, 
and Walter E., who is a graduate ot the same 
school, and has been connected with the Academy 
of Sciences, in the department of ornithology, 
since early in 1887. Mr. Bryant is one of the 
successful California pioneers, and is a welcome 
addition to the population of Sonoma County. 



fOHN L. EDWARDS, proprietor of J. L. 
Edwards' grocery house, corner of Main 
and Third streets, is one of the sterling busi- 
ness men of Santa Rosa, and a Californian from 
boyhood. He was born in the town of Union, 
Franklin County, Missouri, forty-eight years 
ago. In the spring of 1857 his father started 
with his family, four men and three ox teams to 
cross the plains to California. On reaching 
Fort Laramie they overtook and joined an emi- 
grant train known as " Bona '' Wood's train, 
constituting a company of fifteen men. They 
also overtook and traveled with a train in charge 
of Dr. Burnett until near the Sierra Nevada 
Mountains, where they separated and Mr. Ed- 
wards and family came on to California alone. 
On the way they narrowly escaped several en- 
counters with hostile Indians; and were only 
half a day behind the company who were mur- 
dered in what is known as the Holiway mas- 
sacre. Mrs. Holiway, the lady who was scalped 



and left for dead on the scene of the tragedy, 
was discovered to be alive by a member of the 
Breedlove emigrant train (which was a short 
distance ahead of Mr. Edward's family), and 
was picked up and carried by him half a mile 
to the company's camp. She was brought 
through to California by them, and lived and 
died at Napa City, where the subject of this 
sketch met and took dinner with her, on which 
occasion she related some of the terrible exper- 
iences of that slaughter. The company which 
had picked Mrs. Holiway up, halted at a villain- 
ous trading post some distance farther on in 
their journey, where they discovered Mrs. Holi- 
way's reeking scalp on exhibition as a trophy, 
and listened to the proprietor laughingly 
tell the story of his purchase of it. He 
was taken by her indignant rescuers and 
tied to one of their wagons and shot to death. 
His effects were then gathered together and 
converted into a funeral pyre on which his 
body was burned. On reaching the Golden 
State Mr. Edw-ards' father settled in Napa 
City and engaged in merchandising for a year 
and a half; then sold his store and moved 
to St. Helena and bought a tract of 126 acres of 
land adjoining the village, for $25 per acre. The 
price was tiiought by the old settlers to be e.x- 
travagant, and Mr. Edwards was the subject of 
their mingled commiseration and ridicule. He 
planted a part of the land to grapes and was 
one of the pioneer vineyardists of that region. 
The property for which he paid $3,150 was sub- 
sequently sold in parcels, aggregating nearly 
$50,000. The subject of this memoir divided 
his time for several years between assisting his 
father on the ranch and clerking in stores there 
and elsewhere. Leaving St. Helena, he visited 
several points in the State, and finally entered 
the employ of the Central Pacific Railroad Com- 
pany in their repair department at Oakland; 
and afterward in charge of their freight and 
baggage business at Martinez, Contra Costa 
County. He resigned the latter position to ac- 
cept that of receiver in the money order depart- 
ment of the San Francisco postoffice, under 



IIISTOUY OF SONOMA COUNTi'. 



General S. W. Backus, which he tilled between 
five and six years. In the early jiart of 1887 
Mr. Edwards decided to engage in business on 
his own account, and resigning his place in the 
postoltice, bouglit the small stock of groceries 
owned by William S. Hosiner, and moved his 
family to Santa Kosa in April of that year. His 
store on the corner of Main and Third streets is 
a tine location, and is well stocked with staple 
and fancy groceries, crockery, glassware, fruits, 
vegetables, candies and tobaccos. Mr. Edwards' 
method of doing business makes a friend of every 
customer, and his trade is consequently growing 
and prosperous. He married Miss Carrie W. 
Backus, daughter of Gurdon Backus, a pioneer 
of Sacramento, at present agent for the Central 
Pacitic Kailroad at St Helena, Napa County. 
They have three children. Mr. Edwards is a Past 
Master of California Lodge, No. 1, A. O. U. W. 



^NDREW J. GALLAWAY, one of the 
(ffllf °'^ residents of Sonoma County, is a 
^^4=5=- native of Knox County, Tennessee, born 
November 14, 1817. At the age of sixteen 
years he removed with his parents to Morgan 
County, Indiana. Nine years later he went to 
Missouri and from there, after five years, to 
New Mexico. There he remained about one 
year and returned to Missouri. In the spring 
of 1850 he came to California, making the 
journey across the plains by teams. He at 
once engaged in mining in El Dorado County, 
and after three years went to Yolo County and 
engaged in farming and stock-raising. In 1857 
he returned to Missouri via Panama, but two 
years later came back to Yolo County, Califor- 
nia, bringing with him a band of cattle. After 
a few months he came to Sonoma County and 
purchased a farm about three miles north of 
Geyserville. In 18G4 lie located wiiere he now 
resides. He was married to Deborah Price, 
October 14, 1857. They were the parents of 
five children, viz.: Allen R., Nancy E., Henry 
M. (deceased), Andrew J. and Amandii A. The 



Gallaway ranch is beautifully located, adjoining 
Dry Creek, and presents every appearance of 
prosperity. Orchard and vineyard are kept up 
in a manner to attract favorable attention, and 
the proprietors have found tlie place, thus man- 
aged, a source of substantial revenue. Andrew 
J. Gallaway, Sr., no longer gives his personal 
care to the place, but his sons, the Gallaway 
■ Brothers (Allen R. and Andrew J., Jr.), man- 
age the business and superintend the details of 
work about the place. They have nearly sixty 
acres in grapes, of both wine and table varieties. 
The wine grapes are Zinfandel, Burgundy, Sau- 
vignon and Burger. The table varieties are 
Tokay, Coleman, etc. The first vines were 
planted in 18(33, and additions have been made 
at intervals until 188G, in the spring of wiiich 
year the last vines were set out. Tliev have 
about sixteen acres in choice fruits, mainly 
peaches, plums and prunes, though there are 
small numbers of trees of many other kinds of 
fruit. The bulk of the young orchard consists 
of Frencli and Silver prunes. They have had 
good success with all kinds of fruit and their 
exhibits at the Mechanics' Institute Fair, San 
Francisco, commanded favorable notice. The 
rest of the land is devoted to general farming 
purposes. Allen Rector Gallaway, the oldest 
son of A. J. Gallaway, Sr., was born in Gentry 
County, Missouri, August 3, 1858. He accom- 
panied his parents across the plains to Califor- 
nia, where he grew to manhood. He received 
his education in the schools of Healdsburg, at 
the Christian College, Santa Rosa, and at Pierce 
College, College City, Colusa County, graduat- 
ing at the latter place in the class of 1881. In 
order to make himself self-supporting while re- 
ceiving the education he had marked out for 
himself, he commenced teaching school in 1878, 
and since that time lias taught during every 
winter term except 1885. After graduating at 
Pierce College, he became one of the faculty 
and held the chair of history for two years 
(which position he resigned to take charge of 
his father's farm). The year 1888 is iiis third 
year as a teacher in Sonoma County. Mr. Galla- 



JllsToIir (IF SONOMA COUNT y. 



way is a Republican, politically, At the con- 
vention ol' that party for Sonoma County, in 
1888, at Santa Rosa, he was nominated on the 
25th of July as the Republican candidate for 
the General Assembly from the twenty-third dis- 
trict. The district being strongly Democratic 
he was defeated at the subsequent election by 
only a small plurality. He was married in 
Colusa County, August 20, 1884, to Miss Laura 
AI. Abel, a native of Wisconsin, reared in 
Solano and Colusa counties, Califoi'nia. They 
iiave one child— Alfred Russell. Mr. Gallaway 
is a member of the Healdsburg Lodge, A. O. 
U. AY., and is a member of the Christian church 
of the same place. Andrew J. Gallaway-, Jr., 
is a native son of the Golden West, having been 
born in Sonoma County, March 10, 1863. He 
was reared here and received his education at 
Healdsburg, at Santa Rosa and at Litton Springs 
College. Since completing his education he 
has given his entire attention to the interests of 
the ranch, and much of its success is due to his 
personal efforts. He is a member of Sotoyome 
Tarlor, No. 68, :N. S. G. W., at Healdsburg, 
and has held the office of recording secretary 
He is also a member of the Christian church at 
Healdsburg. He was married in Gilroy, Sep- 
tember 5, 1888, to Miss Xanie Enfield, of that 
place. 



tON. GEORGE A. JOHNSON.— In every 
great department of active life there are a 
few who, by innate superiority of mind and 
breadth of culture tower above the mass of their 
fellows, as the head above the body directing 
and controlling its movements, and giving to it 
power and character. In such a relation stands 
Attorney-General G. A. Johnson to the bar of 
California as one of its most eminent and hon- 
ored members. He was born in Salisbury, 
Maryland, in 1829. His mother dying in his 
early childhood, he was reared in the home and 
family of his maternal grandfather, Mr. Rider. 
His fatlier, Joshna Johnson, moved soon after 



Mrs. Johnson's death to New Castle, Indiana. 
Grandfather Rider was a zealous member of the 
Methodist Episco])al church and his house was 
the headquarters of Methodism in the town of 
Salisbury. Thus the grandson w-as surrounded 
by those moral inllueiices which made a perma- 
nent impression upon his plastic young mind, 
and stamped themselves upon his subsequent 
character. His early scholastic training was in 
the schools and academy of his native town, and 
at the age of nineteen he went West to his 
father's home and began the study of law in 
New Castle, Henry County, Indiana, but soon 
realizing the necessity of a more thorough edu- 
cation, he prepared himself and entered Yale 
College, from which he graduated in the class of 
1853. Among his associates were Hon. Wayne 
McVeigh, President Andrew D. White, District 
Attorney Phelps, and others distinguished 
in letters and statesmanship. During his col- 
lege course Mr. Johnson won several class prizes, 
and was elected and served as president of the 
board of editors of the Yale Literary Magazine. 
After his graduation he was tendered and ac- 
cepted the professorship of Latin and Greek in 
the Western Military Institute, at Drennon 
Springs, Kentucky, of which General Bushrod 
Johnson was President. Reniainii.g there but 
a few months, owing to an epidemic of typhoid 
fever, which closed the school, Mr. Johnson re- 
tuned to New Castle and resumed his law 
studies with Jehu T. Elliott, subsequently 
Judge of the Supreme Court of Indiana. After 
completing his course of reading and attending 
a terra in the law department of the State Uni- 
versity, he commenced the practice in 1855 in 
Cambridge City, Indiana, and the same year was 
joined in marriage with Miss Juliet M. Wayman, 
of that city. Pursuing a successful legal business 
until 1873, and attaining a high rank in his pro- 
fession, he was that year appointed Circuit Judge 
of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit by Governor 
Hendricks. The following year, 1874, owing 
partly to the ill-health of his wife. Judge Johnson 
immigrated to California, settled in Santa Rosa, 
and formed a law partnership with Hon. Barclay 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



387 



Henley. In the spring of 1878 he was elected 
mayor of Santa Rosa on the Democratic ticket 
over the working men's candidate. Upon the 
passage of the act that yearsuhinitting to tlie vote 
of the people the question of calling a convention 
to frame a new State Constitution (a measure 
which Judge Johnson zealously advocated and 
worked for, which was carried in the State, and 
in Sonoma County by about a thousand votes), 
he was chosen one of the delegates to the con- 
vention, and resigned the mayoralty. The 
Constitutional Convention met in September, 
1878, and was in session five months. Judge 
Johnson was at once recognized as one of the 
leaders in that distinguished body; and \vas 
chosen to compile and arrange the address to 
the people, a copy of which, together with a 
copy of the new constitution, was sent to 
every voter. He was also selected to deliver 
the presentation speech on the occasion of pre- 
senting President Hoge with a hundred vol- 
umes of choice literature by the members of the 
convention as a testimonial of their esteem for 
hira as their presiding officer. The address was 
a very appropriate and happy effort. The labors 
of the convention were endorsed by the people 
in the adoption of the constitution by a major- 
ity of 11,000 votes, and it went into effect Jan- 
uary 1, 1880. In 1879 Judge Johnson received 
the unanimous nomination of the Working- 
men's Convention for Supreme Judge, but de- 
clined to be their candidate. In 1882 he was 
elected to the State Senate, and re-elected in 
1884. Both terms he was chairman of the 
committee on city and towns, and reported a 
bill for establishing a uniform system for 
municipal governments, which became a law in 
1883 and fills about 150 pages of the statute 
book. During the legislative session of 1881- 
'85 he was also chairman of the committee on 
education. In 1880 he was elected Attorney- 
General of California for four years, and as- 
sumed the office the 1st of January, 1887. In 
January, 1888, he went to Washington City 
to argue the celebrated railroad ta.\ cases 
in the United States Supreme Court against 



some of the most eminent lawyer.s in this coun- 
try, among them Senators Edmunds and Evarts. 

Socially, Judge Johnson is pre-eminently a 
polished companionable gentleman, qualities 
which led him years ago to become a member 
of the order of Fi-ee Masons, and a Knight 
Templar, lie has taken thirty-two degrees in 
the order. He served as Worshipful Master in 
the lodge, and as High Priest and Eminent 
Commander of the Commandery in Cambridge 
City, Indiana. In 1878 be secured a dispensa- 
tion and organized Santa Rosa Commandery, 
No. 14, which has become one of the most 
prosperous in the State. He was chosen its 
first Eminent Commander and served four suc- 
cessive years by re-elections. He has filled 
the office of Grand Senior Warden two years 
in the Grand Commandery of Indiana, is now 
Grand Captain General of the Grand Com- 
mandery of the State of California, and in that 
capacity will attend the Triennial Conclave to 
be holden in the city of Washington in October, 
1889. 

Judge Johnson's estimable wife, and the 
mother of his five children — four sons and one 
daughter — passed from earth in October, 1888, 
leaving a large circle of mourning friends who 
knew her only to love her. 

The Legislature of 1889 employed the At- 
torney-General, John F. Swift and Stephen M. 
White to go to Washington and argue before 
the Supreme Court of the United States ex 
parte Chae Chan Ping, a habeas corpus case on 
appeal from this circuit. The idea was to assist 
the Attorney-Cxeneral of the United States, who 
is opposed by ex-Governor Iloadley and other 
eminent counsel for the Chinaman, in the so- 
lution of the question as to the constitutionality of 
the Exclusion Act which took effect October 1, 
1888, in excluding a Chinese laborer who has a 
return certificate, from returning here after this 
act took effect. The importance of this case 
cannot be overestimated. It is to be hoped that 
the State's counsel will succeed, that the consti- 
tutionality of the Exclusion Act will be upheld, 
and that the Sui)i>Miie Court will have tiiis 



UISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Chinaman remandedto bis ship, to be carried back 
to China, thus settling forever the doctrine that a 
later act of Congress must prevail over a treaty. 
As an orator Judge Johnson has few equals 
on the Pacitic coast; and this fact being recog- 
nized, his services are in frequent demand to 
deliver public addresses on various themes and 
occasions. Among his latest etibrts are an ora- 
tion delivered on the Fourth of July, 1888, at 
Sacramento,. and an address opening the Sonoma 
County Fair in August of the same year. As 
a sample of his style of eloquence and his lofty 
patriotism, the following extract is given from 
the former; and both for its oratorical and his- 
torical merit — dealing as it does with Sonoma 
County — the latter is worthy of a place in these 
pages, and is published in full elsewhere in this 
volume. 

THE ORATIOX. 

Attorney-General George A. Johnson was 
then introduced and delivered an eloquent ora- 
tion. He spoke in an earnest, impressive man- 
ner, and his patriotic sentiments were heartily 
applauded. He said: 

" Of all the days in the American calendar, 
this is the most patriotic. It belongs to no 
party, no clique; it belongs to all the people. 

" "We have other anniversaries, the birth of 
our children, of our mothers and sires, the 
plighted vow to some tender being. These we 
celebrate around the home altar, and bind each 
year with the circlet of our hopes, our fears, 
our smiles and our tears. 

" But to-day we celebrate the birth of a 
nation, the fairest and bravest, whose home is 
on the land and on the sea, on the mountain 
and in the valley, wherever waves the freeman's 
flag. It has given to us all the other holidays 
that we usually celebrate. 

***** 

" It is meet that this day should be celebrated 
amid the salvos of artillery, industrial displays, 
the music of instruments, the waving of ban- 
ners, the smiles of beauty, and the glad voices 
of children. So long as American liberty is of 
any worth this day will be welcomed. 



"We have given to the world a new dispen- 
sation, that all men are and of right ought to 
be free, that the people are the source of all 
power, that sovereign rights are inherent in 
tiiein, and not the gift of any purple-clad 
Cffisar. 

" We have tiirowu aside the hoary conceits 
of centuries, and installed in their place new 
ideas, ideas which have unfettered the human 
mind, educated the public conscience, taught 
men to think and act for themselves, inspired 
the hopes of the masses, made life worth living 
for, and sublimated all human endeavor. 

" We have crowned with flowers civil and re- 
ligious liberty, raised the down-trodden, sup- 
pressed the fagot and the stake, and illustrated 
history with the grandest achievements of war 
and peace. We have added to the civilization 
of the age, contributed to the general well- 
being, made home happy, government secure, 
and taught a lesson to all tyrants. 

" To perpetuate these blessings, we need no 
standing army, only eternal vigilance, which is 
the price of all liberty, only heroic effort at all 
times to do right, only self-discipline, self- 
illumination, and if need be millions of swords 
will leap from their scabbards to hand these 
cherished blessing down to our descendants. 
***** 

" When we recall to mind the struggles and 
privations of the Revolution, our own undisci- 
plined soldiery essaying to cope witli the first 
power in Europe, with troops which had seen 
service under Amherst at Montreal, and Wolfe 
on the Heights of Abraham ; when we recollect 
the bloody feet which stained the soil at Valley 
Forge, and hope deferred that made the heart 
eick, except the great heart of our Washington, 
and even he was thinking of a dernier resort 
across the Alleghanies — when we think of all 
this, before Saratoga and Yorktown were won, 
and the liberty bells rang out their glad clarion, 
we realize that it cosrs sometiiing to aciiieve 
liberty, and that our free institutions, thus ac- 
quired, necessitate the most vigilant care to be 
handed down unimpaired to our posterity. 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



When we recollect that our now commonest 
rights were denied before Washington fought 
and La Fayette bled for liberty, the heritage 
that we now enjoy becotne precious and ines- 
timable. When we go further back to the days 
when Brutus drove out the Tarquin, and an- 
other Brutus called aloud on TiiUy's name " and 
shook aloft his crimsoned steel;" when, again, 
all was lost at Philippi and the imperial purple 
was restored; when, again, another CiBsar 
lorded it over the Roman world and the Christ 
had not where to lay his head — we must prize 
the heroic achievements of the men of '76. 

" When we go further back to the days when 
the Persians swarmed over Greece, and were 
held at bay by the three hundred in the passes 
of Thermopylffi; when Athens was abandoned, 
and their Academic groves deserted; " where 
the Attic bird thrilled its thick-warbled notes 
the Summer long," and old and young took 
refuge within the wooden walls at Salamis; 
when Miltiades led at Marathon — Marathon, 
blessed name! which still sheds around the 
world the aroma of liberty, and which twenty- 
two centuries later led the English bard to 
sing, when thinking of freedom for modern 
Greece: 

" ' The mountains look on MaraUion, 

And Marathon looks on the sea; 
And musing there an hour alone, 

I dream'd that Greece might still be free.' 

"When we recall to mind all this, we cannot 
forget to love, cherish and perpetuate our free 
institutions. 

* » * * * 

" Here the General Government moves in its 
orbit, and the States move in theirs, without 
any collision or impingement; the one exercis- 
ing its granted powers for national purposes, 
including the preservation of its antonomy; the 
other retaining and exercising the grand re- 
siduum of popular rights to effectuate local pur- 
poses and local amelioration which may be 
denominated home rule. Such was the wise 
forethought of our fathers in distributing the 
powers of the National Government. They 



builded not for a generation but for all time, 
and left their ineffaceable impress upon the 
ages. 

"With their success in establishing free in- 
stitutions afterward came the success of other 

countries, notably that of France. 

***** 

" Thus we have paid the debt we owed to 
France for giving La Fayette as a co-laborer to 
Washington and for her assistance in the Revo- 
lutionary war, by placing before her a Republi- 
can example to imitate instead of the iron rule 
of her Merovingian, Carlovingian and Capetian 
Kings, the house of Valois, of Bourbon, and the 
imperial monarchy. 

***** 

" First the struargling Democracies of Athens 
and Rome; then the gradual acquisition of the 
great common law rights; then a General Gov- 
ernment and local Governments, each preserving 
its respective autonomy; then other free States, 
or countries essaying freedom at great odds. 

* * » * * 

" Never can we suthciently repay the debt of 
gratitude which we owe to the fathers of '76, 
and to the framers of the Constitution of the 
United States. 

* * ■ * * * 

" It will remain a standing monument for all 
time, how these men, in days of great responsi- 
bility and peril, without chart or compass, amid 
a new-born nation convulsed with excitement and 
discussion, and full of the gravest apprehensions, 
built up the sacred edifice of our liberties, laid 
deep and l)road its foundations, and made en- 
during its superstructure, until its grand pro- 
portions stand forth to-day unrivalled by modern 
art, the hope of the country and the despair of 
all etnulators. It could not have been done 
without the aid of Divine Providence, who 
makes the nothingness of man to praise Him, 
who before had made distraught the advisers of 
a senile king, and who, now that the fairest 
flower of George the Third's colonial possessions 
had been plucked from his grasp, would not 
permit old-world ideas to dominate the cIklscii 



390 



HISTOnr OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



seat of a better, more humane and more en- 

lislitened civilization. 



and force than anywhere on the face of the 
£rlobe. 



" The great central character of the times was 
our George, the leader of the American armies, 
tiie President of the Constitutional Convention, 
at all times patient, tlioughtfnl, hopeful, pi-ayer- 
ful; whom Thackeray, with all his British in- 
stincts, has characterized as the greatest, wisest 
and best of the Anglo-Saxon race. 

•' Had not the American Kevohition succeed- 
ed, civilization would have stood still on tlie 
dialplate of time; history would have to be re- 
written, and those grand heroic characters which 
now leap forth into ruddy life on its pictured 
pages would not be so much as a name or a 
memory. We could only muse, thinking of 
what might have been. 

" ' Some mute inglorious Milton here may rest, 
Some Cromwell guiltless of his country's Wood.' 

"Had not the American Revolution succeed- 
ed, the courses of English thought would have 
continued to run along the narrow channels of 
old England, instead of the majestic rivers and 
lakes of America. 

"George Wasliington would have lived and 
died a quiet, self-possessed, well-to-do country 
gentleman, given to hunting and hospitality, on 
the banks of the Potomac; Jackson would never 
havebuilt his entrenchments of sandbags at New 
Orleans, nor Lincoln have issued his Emancipa- 
tion Proclamation. Tiiis country would still have 
been under the Mexican domination; its untold 
mineral wealth, its cereals and its fruits would 
have existed nowhere except in the imagination 
of some dreamer. 

" But with American success came the bound 
less American endeavor and American enter- 
prise, until now we are the most numerous, the 
most cultured, the most flourishing, and the 
freest of the great English-speaking race. 

"And here will be written by-and-by the classics 
of our mother tongue, as already here is spoken 
the English language in greater purity, elegance 



" Small causes apparently very often precipi- 
tate momentous events. As the wrath of 
Achilles caused the Trojan war; as a hasty 
plate of soup spoiled General Scott's Presiden- 
tial prospects; as the noise and confusion which 
prevailed once upon a time, when General Cass 
was attempting to explain his views afl'ected his 
political aspirations; so the refusal of our fore- 
fathers to drink the English tea has given us a 
free and independent country, and added 
immeasurably to the world's civilization. 

" Xow, we can get along in the happiest ac- 
cord with our English brethren. They appre- 
ciate us and we appreciate them, for we are all 
of one i)lood and lineage. "We claim kinship 
w'ith their Shakespeare, their Milton, and their 
Gladstone, and they are entitled to share in the 
world-fame of our Washington, our Marshall 
and our Webster. 

" In perpetuating these blessings derived from 
our revolutionary forefathers, we need statesmeii 
at the helm of State. We need thoughtful 
men, men whose sympathies are as broad as tlie 
protecting shield of the Republic. The civil 
service of the country should be placed on a 
iiigh plane, and should be the reward only of a 
conscientious and faithful discharge of duty, 
and competeney for its performance. Men should 
be taught to regard the national honor as their 
own, and unscrupulous money-changers and 
their patrons driven from the place where en- 
throned duty should sit. Strong moral forces 
should lend a helping hand to the government 
of State, and these must be backed by education 
and an enlightenment of the public conscience. 

"We salute, tlierefore, this one hundred and 
twelfth anniversary of American Independence, 
this great country which is the recognized home 
of liberty the world over; we salute her hon- 
ored past, her prosperous present, her promis- 
ing future, the destined abiding-place of the 
millions to come who will blend with and add 
to the greatest of the English-speaking race; 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



whose drum-beat and martial-tread will be 
heard whenever the rights of the humblest of 
her citizens are trampled upon by any foreign 
power, or when any one of the increasing stars 
on her flag is sought to be dimmed. 

"We salute this anniversary, in this great 
Valley of the Sacramento, where nature has done 
so much and art so little; where there is room 
and plenty of room for the thousands, I might 
say, the millions to come; where on the one 
side may be seen an almost treeless expanse of 
waving grain, on the other the semi-tropical 
ruits mellowing into more than Eastern 
lusciousness, all around a climate, 

"Where summer first her robe unfurls, 
And where she longest tarries. 

With a people as generous and hospitable as the 
tempered airs which have grown thein. 

"And from this great valley we can point 
with pride to the unnumbered valleys scattered 
beyond, and to the hills as prolific as the 
valleys, with tlieir grain belts, their fruit 
belts, their mineral belts, their sanitary belts, all 
of which tend to reward industry, prolong life 
and make it enjoyable; to our colleges and ad- 
mii'able common school system; to a free and 
enlightened press; to a reading and thinking 
peojile; whether amid urban splendors or rural 
homes; to a fearless and incorruptible judiciary, 
and to the mass of our population, healthy, 

happy and contented. 

* * * * * 

"California has an area three times as great 
as that of the State of New York, and larger 
than that of Great Britain and Ireland, with 
Portugal added as a make-weight. 

" While, however, she has only about seven 
inhabitants to the square mile, Khode Island 
has 300 and Belgium has more than 500. Thus 
it will be apparent what advantages this State 
has for supporting a greatly increased popula- 
tion. She is among the greatest of the wheat- 
producing States, far ahead of any other in the 
production and value of her mines, and was at 
one time the greatest gold and silver producer 
in the Union. 



" To this is to be added, among otiier re- 
sources, the unrivaled wealth of her fruits, her 
lumber interests, her wool, most of which are 
constantly increasing. 

" From so much of retrospect, let us now look 
forward to tiie coming years, when the great 
Valley of the Sacramento will enrich and be 
enriched by the thousands M'ho will settle here; 
when every valley will begin to smile like a 
Vaca or a Capay; when California will, appar- 
ently, have arrived at the acme of her material 
development; when from the dome of the State 
Capitol shall float the same flag which flies 
there to-day, and the same songs be sung to tire 
the patriot's heart; when all over this great 
nation will be seen the same patriotic display, 
the arts and sciences prevailing, labor receiving 
an adequate requital, and fraternal ties binding 
the States and people together stronger than 
with ribs of steel; still even then, will we look 
hopefully forward to a still greater future, to a 
still more rythmical development, until we 
finally sink to rest beneath the sods of the great 
valley. 



I^ETH A. SEAVY.— One of the finest sub- 
1^1 '^'^^^'^ properties at Santa Rosa is the 
•if orchard home on Button avenue owned 
and occupied by the subject of this sketch. 
All the building improvements are noticeably 
good, es])ecially so the tine family residence. 
No better land than the twenty-tive acres owned 
by Mr. Seavy can be found in Sonoma County. 
It is all devoted to fruit culture and makes one 
of the best orchards in Santa Rosa Valley. 
Fifteen acres are in French prunes, and the rest 
principally in pears, apricots, peaches, apples, 
plums, cherries, tigs, choice table grapes, etc. 
It is also worthy of mention that berries of all 
descriptions are grown witliout irrigation. 
Strawberries are gathered from April to Decem- 
ber or until killed by frost. The greater part 
of the orchard was planted in 1884 by J. V. 
Franks. The property was purchased by Mr. 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Seavy in 1885, since which time, by care and 
thorough cultivation, he has produced remarka- 
ble results. A few pear trees on the place that 
were planted about 1873 produced, in 1888, 
fruit that sold at a price averaging from !?15 to 
.^25 per tree. Mr. Seavy dates his birth in 
Washington County, Maine, May 3, 1830, and 
is a descendant of an old New England family. 
His father, Sylvanus Seavy, was born in 1795. 
His mother, Cynthia O. Seavy, who yet lives in 
Maine, her native State, was born in tlie year 
1800. The youthful years of the subject of 
this sketch were spent in labor on his father's 
farm, receiving at the same time a fair educa- 
tion. His first labor away from home was in 
the forests and mills of his native State, in the 
manufacture of lumber. He spent some time 
on fishing voyages in his early manhood, and 
also became proficient in the carpenter's trade. 
Concluding to try his fortunes on this coast, he 
left home in 1858. After reaching San Fran- 
cisco he soon made his way to Washington Ter- 
ritory, where he engaged in lumbering until 
1860. In that year he returned to Maine, and 
upon the opening of the Civil war he volun- 
teered in defense of the Union, and served in 
General Keyes' division of the Army of the 
Potomac, participating in the Peninsular cam- 
paign until after the battle of Fair Oaks, when, 
prostrated by sickness, he soon received an 
honorable discharge. Years passed before his 
health was sufficiently well established to admit 
of any material progress in acquiring more 
than a maintenance. In 1864 he again came 
to California and spent the following year on a 
ranch in San Joaquin County. Leaving there, 
he went to Humboldt County where he was 
employed by lumber manufacturers until 1868. 
Later he spent two years in San Mateo County 
in farm labor. In 1870 he came to this county 
and for two seasons rented and conducted a 
dairy farm near Lakeville. Mr. Seavy then 
went to San Joaquin County, purchased 160 
acres of land near Stockton and engaged in the 
raising of grain. Four years later he rented 
800 acres and by a succession of poor crops was 



nearly ruined, financially; but, with character 
istic energy, he ventured buying 640 acres, 
which, fortunately, his first crop paid for. 
There Mr. Seavy lived until, in 1885, as stated, 
he left San Joacjuin County and established his 
present residence. He still owns a splendid 
ranch of 480 acres in San Joaquin County. In 
1855, in his native State, Mr. Seavy wedded 
Miss Eliza G. Baker, daughter of Zebulon and 
Deborah (Hanscom) Baker. Their six children 
are: Lorenzo, who resides upon the ranch 
already referred to in San Joaquin County; 
Kittie, wife of James Clendenning of Santa 
Rosa; Fred, Frank, Mattie and Minnie, the 
last four being still under the parental roof. 
Mr. Seavy is a member of Ellsworth Post, No. 
20, G. A. R., of Santa Rosa. Both he and his 
wife are members of long standing of the 
Methodist church. Politically, Mr. Seavy is a 
radical Republican. He has served Santa Rosa 
as school trustee, and his church as trustee 
many years. Few men are more interested in 
promoting the cause of religion and education 
than he, and few, in proportion to their means, 
devote moi'e time or money to these causes. 



fcEUBEN M. SWAIN is a native of Michi- 
and was reared in Massachusetts. 
His father, Charles A. Swain, was a cap- 
tain of a whaling ship, and was in the harbor 
of San Francisco with his vessel as early as. 
1829. In 1854 Mr. Swain's family came to 
California via the Isthmus route, and settled in 
San Francisco, where, after leaving the sea, he 
held a Government position for eight years. 
He died in San Francisco five years ago. Reu- 
ben M. Swain was educated in the University of 
the Pacific, located at Santa Clara, Santa Clara 
County, after having '-kept batch" in the rear 
room of an old house, living on §7.50 per 
month, and working on a farm for three years 
in order to earn the money with which to de- 
fray his e.xpenses at college. He and two other 
students boarded themselves, rooming in an old 



UISTORT OF SONOMA COUNT r. 



school-house, their chief diet being potatoes, 
griddle cakes and molasses. They enjoyed the 
luxury of coffee every Sunday morning, and 
meat every two weeks. lie left the college in 
1863, broken down in health, and went to work 
in a wagon shop, where he remained several 
months. Pie then obtained a position as sales- 
man in a mercantile house in San Francisco, 
and while thus employed began the study of 
law. While there his salary was increased to 
$100 per month. In 1869 he went to Napa 
County and engaged in farming, using his odd 
time in reading law. In 1871 he was admitted 
to the District C'ourt of Napa County, when he 
ceased farming and soon after moved his family 
into Napa City. Being appointed under-sheriff, 
he served the term of two years, and upon retir- 
ing from that office he was elected justice and 
police magistrate of Napa City, and served two 
terms of two years each, practicing law in the 
meantime. At the expiration of his second term 
he was appointed United States Ganger for Napa 
and Sonoma counties. After serving six months 
he resigned, moved to San Francisco and en- 
tered wholly into the practice of law. While 
there he served over a year as assistant prose- 
cuting attorney in the police court. No. 1, which 
gave him a wide experience in criminal matters. 
He continued the prac ice of law in that city 
until May, 1887, at which timehe was compelled 
to leave on account of broken health, and came 
to Santa Rosa. He settled here a total stranger, 
and has already obtained a fine practice. He 
has successfully conducted a number of impor- 
tant criminal cases, and is already acknowledged 
as among tlie leading members of Sonoma 
County's unusually strong bar. Within the 
year he has defended two murder cases, the first 
he cleared, and the second was given man- 
slaughter. Being a pronounced Republican in 
politics, he lias the courage of his convictions, 
and is a live worker in the party for the benefit 
of his friends, but seeks no office and wields a 
free lance. He is chairman of the twenty- 
fourth assembly district for the Republicans. 
He has been acting as city attorney several 



months, and is a trustee and secretary of the 
city library -board. Refore Mr. Swain began 
the study of law, while acting as salesman in 
San Francisco, he married Miss Mitchell, a 
member of the Mitchell family of Nantucket, 
Massachusetts, who had lived in California for a 
number of years. They were married in Octo- 
ber, 1864, on her mother's forty-first birthday. 
To them have been born three sons and one 
daughter, two sons now deceased, one dying in 
infancy. The other, a civil engineer, acting as 
draughtsman for the Southern Pacific Railroad, 
died from the eft'ects of drinking alkali water, 
in southern California, after an illness of three 
days. Having fully recovered his health since 
locating in Santa Rosa, Mr. Swain has 
determined to make this his permanent home. 

fTIS ALLEN. — Among the prominent 
farmers and representative men of Green 
Valley, Analy Township, is the subject 
of this sketch, a brief review of whose life is 
as follows: He is a descendant of theearliest 
settlers of the State of Maine, and dates his 
birth in York County, that State, in 1829. 
His parents were Amos and Eleanor (Ridley) 
Allen, both natives of Maine. His father was 
a farmer, and Mr. Allen was from his early 
youth schooled to the hard labor attending farm- 
ing operations in the comparatively sterile soil 
of his native State, receiving at the same time 
such educational facilities as were afforded by 
the common schools of that date. When nine- 
teen years of age he left home and took up his 
residence in Boston, Massachusetts. There he en- 
gaged in teaming for about three years. In 1851 
he came via the Isthmus route to California, 
arriving in San Francisco in tliefall of that year. 
Soon after his arrival he proceeded to Butte 
County, where he engaged in mining. He fol- 
lowed this calling with varying success until 
1853, at which time he abandoned mining and 
engaged in teaming in San Francisco. During 
the vears of 1855 and 185t), when it became 



U I STORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



necessary for the vigilantes to establish order 
and protect life in the mining districts, he was 
a member of. that organization, and was promi- 
nent in a service that finally rid the conntry of 
thieves, gamblers and other criminal elements. 
In 1858 the subject of this sketch came to Sonoma 
Connty and located in Green Yalley. At this 
time Mr. Allen became interested in hop culti- 
vation, and entered into partnership with Mr. 
Amasa Bushnell, a practical hop cultivator who 
was confident that Sonoma Valley soil and cli- 
mate were well adapted to that industry. They 
planted their vines and soon had a harvest of 
fine hops. Mr. Allen is confident that these 
were the first hops ever raised in the State and 
also the first ever produced on the Pacific coast. 
Their first crop readily sold for one dollar a 
pound. Since that time Mr. Allen has been a 
strong advocate for hop cultivation in Sonoma 
County. He conducted the business with Mr. 
Bushnell until about 1860, when they divided 
their property and Mr. Allen took the portion 
npon which he now resides. It is located in the 
Laguna school district, one and one-half miles 
north of Sebastopol. He is the owner of 200 
acres of fine land at this point, twenty acres of 
which are in hops. Fifteen acres are devoted 
to grapes of the Zinfandel and St. Mecaire vari- 
eties. He has also a large variety of table 
grapes. There are two acres in orchard, produc- 
ing a large variety of fruit such as is grown in 
that section of the county. The rest of his land 
is devoted to hay, grain and stock-raising. 
Among the stock are twenty head of cattle 
improved by Durham and Jersey stock, also 
some fine horses by " Butler," " Alexander," 
and "Twilight" breeds. Among the many 
improvements npon his farm is a commodious 
dry house with a capacity sufficient to cure 
and dry the products of his twenty-acre hop 
field. He has also just completed one of the 
most beautiful and substantial dwelling-houses 
to be found in Green Valley. In this he has 
placed all the conveniences and comforts that 
characterize a well ordered home. Mr. Allen is 
well known as one of the most public-spirited 



and progressive citizens of his district, ever 
ready to aid in all enterprises that tend to pro- 
mote the welfare and growth of his section and 
the county. In political matters, he is a strong 
and consistent Republican, and though never 
seeking office his infiuence has been felt in the 
party, and always for its best interests. A strong 
snpporter of public schools, he has served for 
years as a school trustee in his district. Pie is 
a member of Lafayette Lodge, No. 126, F. & 
A. M., of Sebastopol. In 1863 Mr. Allen mar- 
ried Miss Harriet Sebring, the daughter of 
Thomas and Margaret (Piper) Sebring, resi- 
dents of Sebastopol. The following named 
children hav'e been born to them: George Otis, 
Margaret E., Sarah Elois and Mary C. 

'^ ♦ ^^' 

Jf^ipiLLIAM E. FIFIELD, M. L»., was born 
Wfwl ^" ^'-^^'^ Kedfield, Kennebec County, 
l^'fi^J Maine, September 18, 1826. He was 
educated at the common schools of his native 
State, and at the Maine Wesleyan Seminary; 
he began his medical studies in 1848, with Dr. 
H. H. Hill, of Augusta, with whom he re- 
mained two years, during which time he attend- 
ed one course of medical lectures at the Bow- 
doin College in 1849. In November, 1850, he 
went to Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and 
opened an oflice, where he practiced until March, 
1852. On the 26th of April of that year, he 
sailed from New York for California, via Pana- 
ma, and landed in San Francisco about the 18th 
of May. His brother, A. C. Fifield, came with 
him and is now a wealthy farmer of San Joaquin 
Connty. After being in the mining district on 
the Mokelnmne River until 185<), he com- 
menced the practice of medicine in Amador 
Coant}^ and also opened a drug store, which he 
conducted in connection with his practice, he 
being the only physician in that neighborhood. 
While there he built two hotels at a cost of 
about S12,000 each, one of which was destroyed 
by fire and the other is still standing. He was 
also postmaster of the place, having the oflice 



///.STO/lY OF .SONOMA COUNTY. 



397 



in his drug store. In 1868 lie went back to 
Maine on a visit, and while there obtained the 
degree of M. D. from the old college which he 
had pi'eviously atteiide<l. In the fall of the 
same year he returned to California, and soon 
after he left the mines in Sutter Creek and 
moved to Linden, San Joaquin County, where 
he practiced his profession until 187(). He then 
went to San Francisco and entered the Medical 
College of the Pacific (now the Cooper Medical 
College), and graduated there November 2, 
1876. The same j'ear he removed to Madison, 
Yolo County, and practiced there until March 
23, 1883, when he opened an office in San Fran- 
cisco. He continued the practice of his profes- 
sion there until coming to Fetahuna in -May, 
1886. He was married March 15, 1877, to 
Ella J. Roice. They have one daughter, Mary 
Ella, born November 10, 1880. Dr. Filield is 
now engaged in the active practice of medicine 
with his wife, who is a regular graduate, and 
they are among the most prominent and success- 
ful physicians in this city. 

^-m-^ 



f^LLA. J. FIFIELD, M. D.— This accom- 
plished and intelligent lady is a native 
!• of Wisconsin, where she was born April 
15, 1851, in the town of Lyons, Walworth 
County. She was a mere child when her par- 
ents moved to Minnesota. In that Stale she 
was educated at the public schools and later at 
the State Normal at Mankato. In 1872 she 
commenced teaching school, and after teaching 
two years in Minnesota she came to California, 
in 1874, and taught for two years more in this 
State. After her marriage to Dr. William E. 
Fifield, she began the study of medicine, in 1878, 
and in 1880 entered the Cooper Medical Col 
lege of San Francisco, graduating at that insti- 
tution on November 7, 1883. She then en- 
tered the Chihlren's Hospital of that city as 
attending phy.sician, where she remained one 
year and a half, during which time she was also 
an attending physician for the Boys and Girls 



Aid Society. She came to Petaluma, August 
7, 1885, and opened an ofKce, where she has 
been a most successful practitioner in the science 
of medicine. 



,-5^^f.,J« 



['OSEPH B. EEID dates his birth in the 
State of Alabama, November 4, 1835, and 
is the son of William F. and Elizabeth 
(Shores) Reid. He was reared to a farm life 
in his native State until at the age of eighteen 
years, when he emigrated with the family to 
Washington County, Arkansas. From there 
the family, consisting of the parents and four- 
teen children, crossed the plains and mountains 
to this State in 1857, making the journey with 
o,\ teams. They established their hotne in Yolo 
County, where William F. Reid bought 640 
acres of land and engaged in grain and stock- 
raising. The subject of this sketch remained 
with his father until 1864. In that year he 
wedded Miss Louisa Range, daughter of Charles 
and Elizabeth (Klepper) Range, natives of Ten- 
nessee,but at that time residen ts of Solano Cou n ty, 
and now living near neighbors to Mr. and Mrs. 
Reid in Sonoma County. (See biography of 
Charles Range.) After this marriage Mr. Reid 
commenced farming upon his own account in 
Yolo County, remaining there until 1867 and 
then coming to Sonoma County. He bought 
ninety acres of choice land on the Ilealdsburg 
road, one and one-half miles north of Santa 
Rosa, and established the residence he has ever 
since occupied. His purchase in all respects 
was a fortunate one. The land so well adapted 
to agriculture became of great value by its for- 
tunate location near the growing city of Santa 
Rosa with all its commercial and social advan- 
tages, and in 1887 Mr. Reid sold all but his 
residence and a reservation of thirteen acres. 
His residence and other building improvements 
are among the best of the neighborhood, and 
were erected by him, utility and convenience 
being the main object to be attained. Fine 
family orchards, vineyard, etc., are a part of the 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



iinproveiiieiits to he t'l'und on the land retained 
hj Mr. Eeid. The parents of Mr. lieid are yet 
living in Yolo County. His father was born 
in 1812 and his mother in 1816. In political 
action Mr. Eeid is in full accord with the prin- 
ciples of the Deniocratic party. His residence 
in Sonoma County has been marked by an in- 
creasing devotion to the welfare and true inter- 
ests of the county. Never behind in co-opera- 
tion witii any and all measures tending to 
advance the interests of the community, lie is 
now reaping in [lart hi» reward. 



'"■- % - l " l - i "- 

fUDGE JOHN BROWN is one of the old- 
est living settlers in Sonoma County, hav- 
ing come here in 1855, across the plains 
from his native State — Tennessee. He arrived 
July 29, 1849, and opened a grocery store in 
Ringgold, El Dorado County, in which he 
continued two years. In the meantime an 
Indian war broke out with the Digger Indians, 
and he was appointed quartermaster of the 
northern portion of California by Governor 
McDougal. In the spring of 1851 he was sent 
with supplies across the Sierra Nevada Moun- 
tains to Carson Valley, to relieve the emigrants 
coming to Califorrda. He returned in the win- 
ter of the same year and stopped in Sacramento, 
which he made his headquarters until coming 
to Santa Rosa in 1855. While in Sacramento 
he was a member of the grocery firm of Brown 
& Co., located on Front street. April 15, 1852, 
the firm was burned out, and the same fire 
destroyed a large hotel owned by Judge Brown. 
This hotel was situated on I street, and it with 
all the furniture was completely' consumed. By 
that tire Mr. Brown suffered a loss of §50,000. 
He then spent considerable time in traveling 
and prospecting, and in the latter part of 1855 
came to Santa Rosa and has since been a resi- 
dent of this place. He was appointed deputy 
clerk, auditor and recorder of Sonoma County, 
of which Mendocino County formed a part, as- 
suming the duties of the office on April 6, 1856. 



He had the entire charge of the business, his 
elective superior having turned over to liim the 
full control of the oftice. He served the term 
of office of his superior, two years, and for a 
year after the expiration of that term. Having 
been appointed notary public by Governor J. B. 
Weller, he opened an office and began the prac- 
tice of law, to which practice he had been ad- 
mitted in 1858. He enjoyed a lucrative 
practice until he was elected justice of the peace 
in 1862, and has been his own successor until 
the present time, having held the office twenty- 
six consecutive years. Until the last few years 
he enjoyed his full share of law pi-actice, having 
had a large volume of legal business in the 
Federal Courts, Department of the Interioi-, 
and the Treasury, in the Land Department, he 
having made a specialty of land practice, of 
which there has been a large amount of busi- 
ness, owing to the system of land grants in this 
State. In 1869 or 1870 he purchased 207 acres 
of land lying immediately south of Santa Rosa 
Creek, embracing what is now the South Park 
Addition to Santa Rosa, and a portion of the 
city contiguous to the creek. He laid out that 
part of it north of what was then called the 
Bennett Valley road, in five-acre tracts, being 
the pioneer in that line of sub-division, antici- 
pating that men would want small tracts of a 
few acres to build on and occupy as homes. 
This was in 1872. The same time he sold the 
rest of the original tract to John Richards, a 
colored barber and e.x-slave, who afterward died 
here, and in the settlement of his estate — Judge 
Brown being the attorney — sold the land now 
comprising South Park Addition for §6,000 to 
a man named Fitzpatrick. Seven years later, 
in 1S87, the last named gentleman sold it to B. 
M. Spencer and Guy E. Grosse for $27,000. At 
the time of Judge Brown's coming to Santa 
Rosa, soon after the removal of the county seat 
to that place, William Churchman was county 
judge, and E. W. McKinstry was district judge. 
Judge Hopkins was the first district judge of 
this judicial district, of which Sonoma County 
formed a part. Judge Brown has been identi- 



IIIsrOllT OF SONOMA COUNTT. 



ficd eitlier as attorney or in liis otiicial capacity 
witli most of tlie important trials ami litigation 
in the courts of this place for a third of a cent- 
ury. When he came here he only found two 
small stores, one a general store and the other 
a grocery. And at that time there were but 
two lawyers, Jackson Temple, now one of the 
supreme judges of the State, and William Ross, 
an Ohio man who came here in 1852 and died 
about eight years ago, leaving a valuable estate 
in Santa Hosa. Both of the judge's grandsires, 
Richard Wheeling and Thomas Brown, fought 
in the Revolutionary war. The former, an 
Irishman, fought for the colonists, and the lat- 
ter, a Scotchman, combatted for the crown. 
The father of Judge Brown was a native of 
North Carolina, and his mother of Virginia, 
born where Wheeling now is. Judge Brown 
grew to manhood in his native county in Ten- 
nessee, and on the breaking out of the Mexican 
war, he enlisted in the very beginning of the 
conflict as a member of the Second Tennessee 
Infantry, commanded by Colonel AVilliam F. 
Haskell, and in Captain J. D. Lowery's com- 
pany. He served the term of his enlistment, 
one year as a private in that company, and re- 
enlisted in the Fifth Tennessee, under the 
regulation of the United States army, as Second 
Lieutenant of his company, and served in that 
capacity till the close of the war. He now 
draws a pension as a Me.xicaii veteran. He was 
in General Taylor's command until after the 
battle of Monterey. Then he went with 
General Patterson and General Pillow to Tam- 
pico, there joined General Scott's command, and 
with it was in the battles of Vera Cruz, Cerro 
Gordo, and went to the City of Mexico after its 
surrender. He was also at Queretaro, where 
the treaty of peace was signed. The last year 
of his service he was appointed by the division 
commander to the position of quartermaster, 
and served in that capacity till the close of the 
war, and went to Washington, D. C, to settle 
witii the Government. July 3, 18G6, he mar- 
ried Miss Whallen, daughter of General Murray 
Whallen, now a resident of Petaluma. She was 



born at Erie, Pennsylvania, from whence the 
family came a few years previous to her mar- 
riage. They have three sons and one daugiiter, 
their ages ranging from twenty-one to twelve 
years. The eldest son, Frank W., is a clerk for 
Rohrer, Einhorn & Co. The other cliildren are 
in school and at home. 



.|P[E()RGE BLOCH is one of the well-known 
ft^ wine makers of Sonoma County. The 
wl- Dry Creek Winery, of which lie is propri- 
etor, was established in 1872 by George Bloch 
and Alexander Colson, who continued its opera- 
tion until 1884, since which time Mr. Bloch has 
been sole proprietor. The place is on the Dry 
Creek road less than three miles from 
Healdsburg, and among its features are 3,000 
vines, mostly Zinfandel with a few Mission and 
other varieties, and all in bearing. The out-put 
of the Dry Creek AYinery is about 35,000 gal- 
lons per annum, a market being found at San 
Francisco, and also a number of private custom- 
ers at different points on the coast. The storage 
capacity is 35,000 gallons, and some 4:,000 
gallons are annually carried over to receive the 
advantages of the added age. George Bloch is 
a native of France, born in Alsace April 23, 
1829, his parents being Francois and Catherine 
(Jaunt) Bloch. His father, who entered the 
French army at the age of sixteen years, was a 
soldier under Napoleon I. George Bloch was 
reared in his native place and in early life fol- 
lowed various occupations. In 1850 he came 
to America, sailing from Havre to New York on 
the Carola America. He remained in New 
York City sixteen months, and then started for 
California on the steamer Uncle Sam. His 
route was via the Isthmus of Panama, which he 
crossed, and on the Pacific side took the steamer 
Sierra Nevada for San Francisco, at which 
place he arrived in March, 1853. He remained 
for a time in that city, and then went to the 
mining districts. He followed mining on Fra- 
zer River, at Foster's Bar, and then returned to 



JIISTonr OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



San Francisco. After a connection of thirteen 
years with a restaurant on Unpont street, he came 
to Sonoma County in 1870, bouglitwliere he now 
resides, and coninienced improving tiie place- 
He was married in San Francisco to Rosina 
Clare, a native of France and also born in Al- 
sace. They have three children, viz.: George; 
Rosina, wife of Charles Austin, and Albert. 
Mr. Bloch is a member of the French Hospital 
Association, San Francisco. Politically, he is a 
Democrat. 

fHARLES AUSTIN is a native of New 
York City, born October 7, 1836, and a son 
■^ of Wiliam and Winnifred (Swift) Austin. 
His father, a cotton merchant and broker, was 
a native of Scotland, while his mother was of 
American birth, diaries Austin was reared and 
educated in the American metropolis, and in 1858 
came to California via Panama. For three years 
he was interested in tiie mines of Calaveras 
County, and since that time he has been identi- 
fied with various interests on the coast and in 
the western territories. Since 1886 lie has been 
a resident of Sonoma County. July 5, 1885, he 
was united in niarriauje with Miss Rosina, daugh- 
ter of George Rloch, whose sketch precedes this. 



tLBERT G. BURNETT, a member of the 
law firm of Gale & Burnett, is a native of 
^^s=- the Pacific coast, born in Oregon in 1856. 
His father. Rev. G. O. Burnett, a native of 
Tennessee, immigrated to Oregon from Missouri, 
in 1846, and settled in the AVillamette Yalley, 
Polk County, where he improved a farm of 640 
acres. In 185S he removed with his family to San 
Jose, California, and for twenty-five years there- 
after was engaged in the ministry of the Chris- 
tian church, mostly in California, but partly in 
Oregon, wliere he lived a portion of the inter- 
vening time. Obedient to the summons of the 
Silent Reaper he passed away in July, 1886, in 



the city of Santa Rosa, where he had been living 
since 1873, having done valiant service for 
Christianity many years as one of the pioneer 
preachers on this coast. His brother, Hon. 
Peter H. Burnett, went to Oregon still earlier, 
in 1843, and from there came to California in 
1848. He was elected in 1849 as the first 
Governor of California, which office he resigned 
in 1851. Albert G. was educated in Hesperian 
College at Woodland, and in the Christian Col- 
lege in Santa Rosa where he graduated in 1875. 
During the summer vacation two years previous, 
when but seventeen years of age, he had begun 
teaching school, and after his graduation lie re- 
sumed the pedagogical profession, first teaching 
a year in the country schools. He then accepted 
the professorship of Latin and Greek languages 
in his Alma Mater, the Ciiristian College, filling 
that chair two years. The college becoming 
embarrassed financially and passing into other 
hands. Professor Burnett taught a year in the 
public schools of Santa Rosa; was then elected 
to the principalship of the Healdsburg schools 
and filled thai position four years. The two 
years following he was principal of the Peta- 
Inma grammar school, then principal of the 
Petaluina high school for a year and a half. 
While teaching, Mr. Burnett had devoted all 
his spare time to the study of law and attained 
such proficiency in knowledge of legal lore that 
he was admitted to the bar of the Supreme 
Court of California in 1886, six months before 
he resigned his position in the Petalnma high 
school, which he did in May, 1887, to open a 
law office in Santa Rosa, as a partner with D. R. 
Gale. Though less than two years old this law 
firm already enjoys a fine business in both the civil 
and criminal branches of their practice. They 
are both young men of marked ability, are close 
students, inspired by a zeal born of love for their 
profession, and being gentlemen of unquestioned 
integrity of character, they are destined to occupy 
the front rank among the law firms of Califor- 
nia in the near future. During the year 1887 
Mr. Burnett served as a member ot the Sonoma 
County board of education, and chosen presi- 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



dent of that body. lie was president of the 
Yoniig Men's Republican Club during tlie pre.i- 
idential campaign of 1888, and was the Repub- 
lican nominee for district attorney, to which 
office he was elected November (i, 1888. Mr. 
Burnett is universally conceded to have but few 
e(|uals in the State as a political orator. At the 
November election, 1888, Mr. Burnett was 
elected to the office of prosecuting attorney. 
The high esteem in which he is held by the 
citizens of this county is shown by the very 
large majority he received at this election, run- 
ning as he did far ahead of the party vote. Of 
the twelve children composing iiis father's family, 
only one, a twin sister, resides in Santa Rosa 
with the widowed mother. Mr. Burnett in 
1878, was united in marriage with Miss Dora 
Hood, a native of Santa Rosa, and daughter of 
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas B. Ilood, pioneers of 
Sonoma County. 



fOIIN T. PEPPER, residing on Dutton 
avenue, in the suburbs of Santa Rosa, is a 
new accession to Sonoma County, and one 
of a class that is giving to the county an impe- 
u s in the right direction, so welcome to all in- 
terested in the county's best and greatest good 
— fruit culture. Mr. Pepper came to California 
and located in Marin County in 1875. A brief 
review of his former life gives the following 
facts: He was born in Genesee County, New 
York, August 27, 1837, and is the son of 
Robert and Lydia (Irwin) Pepper, both of whom 
were born in Ireland. The subject of this 
sketch was an infant when the family moved 
from the State of New York to Oakland County, 
Michigan. There he was reared on a farm, 
spen'ding a portion of the years of his youth in 
school attendance. At the age of twentj'-one 
he left the parental home and encountered life 
in his own behalf About two j'ears later he re- 
turned home and worked his father's farm on 
shares. In 1869 he engaged in mercantile busi 
ness at Davisburg, (Oakland County, Michigan, 



and conducted a successful business until 1875. 
In that year he came to California. He rented 
a large dairy farm, with 150 cows, of Charles 
Webb Howard, in Alarin County. This busi- 
ness Mr. Pepper conducted with profit to him- 
self until 1888, when, in October of that year, 
he bought the property he now owns and 
occupies, one of the finest suburban properties 
to be found at Santa Rosa. The building 
improvements, including the elegant cottage 
residence, are first-class in all respects. Of the 
forty-four acres of very choice land, as yet Init 
twenty acres are in orchard, comprising every 
variety of deciduous fruitsand all showing thrift. 
The rest of the land — now devoted to general 
agriculture — will in the near future be appro- 
priated to fruit culture. The same enterprise 
and enei'gy, combined with intelligent applica- 
tion, whicli has characterized his life in the 
past, will pniduce grand results in the favored 
Santa Rosa Valley as the reward of Mr. Pepper's 
efforts in horticulture. In 1870, in the State of 
Michigan, the subject of this sketch wedded 
Miss Mary L., daughter of Frank and Fanny 
Skinner, of New York. Three children have 
been born to them, viz.: Lydia Evelyn, born 
June 16, 1872; John Raymond, December 30, 
1877; Ada Elaine, December 11, 1884. Mr. 
Pepper in political action is fully identified with 
the Republican party, having voted for every 
Republican president since the party was formed. 



-*}--l-f 



W^ 



k 



J. McGAUGHEY, druggist, corner of 
Mendocino and Fourth streets, has been 
in business in that location since May, 
1887. She succeeded W. C. Reed in the bus- 
iness, whom she bought out and who was one 
of the oldest druggists in the city, having 
moved to the present location upon the com- 
pletion of the building in the fall of 1885. 
Miss McGanghey is a professional pharmacist, 
have attended the California College of Phar- 
macy, a branch of the State University. Siie 
graduated first at the Winona high school, and 



IllsniHY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



then at the Minnesota normal school in 1878, 
and has been a teacher tor seven years. She 
came to California for her healtl', in 1881, spent 
six months with her sister, Dr. Stuart, in Santa 
J3arbara, and then came to Sonoma County. 
Before purcliasing the drug store she taught 
here between three and four years. She holds 
a State teacher's diploma, which entitles her to 
teach in any grammer school in the State. 
From her girlhood, while in the high school, 
TVIiss McGanghey had an ambition to become a 
druggist, and shaped her course with that end 
in view. She is one of tlie three proprietresses 
of drug stores in the State, and was the third 
lady to enter the College of Pharmacy. Al- 
though the business was an old one, it has stead- 
ily increased during her ownership, and has 
prospered beyond her anticipations. She com- 
pounds prescriptions and performs every kind 
of pharmaceutical work done in a drug store. 
She employs one assistant. With a woman's 
natural tact for beautifying and improving, she 
has made her drug store one of the handsomest 
in the interior of California. Miss McGaughey 
was born in Macomb, McDonough County, Illi- 
nois, but since eleven years old resided in 
Minnesota until coming to California. Two of 
her brothers and one sister are physicians. Mrs. 
Dr. Stuart, and Mrs. Martin, county superin- 
tendent of schools of Sonoma County, reside in 
this county. 



fARATA, of Ilussian River Township, has 
a ranch of 144 acres on the Santa Rosa 
® and Healdsburg road, less than a mile 
north of Windsor. He purchased the place in 
1884, and the next spring planted fifteen acres 
of fruit trees. They are peaches, pears, apples, 
prunes, egg plums, apricots, cherries, etc., and 
are all in good condition. He has eighteen 
acres in grapes, the greater portion of which 
acreage is planted to the Zinfandel, the remain- 
der being divided among a number of choice 
varieties. The rest of the place is devoted 



to general farming purjioses. Mr. Arata is 
a native . of Italy, born eighteen miles south 
of Genoa, October 1, 1831. His father was 
a captain of a ship, and marine searcher 
for coral all the time, and the subject 
of this sketcii was reared to a sea-faring life, 
going on board sliip wiien a mere lad of seven 
years. Until 1858 he followed the sea, his 
travels embracing the paths of commerce all 
over the world. In 1858 he came to California 
to reside, locating in Calaveras County, where 
he engaged in mining, and one year later he en- 
tered into mercantile business. In 1870 he 
went to farming in Calaveras County, and was 
thus employed there until he came to Sonoma 
County and located on his present farm. While 
a resident of Calaveras County he was married 
to Teresa Alviso, July G, 1868, a native of 
Mexico, born in Sonora, August 5, 1849, a 
daughter of Juan and Susanna (Banlecea) 
Alviso. Her father was a stock dealer and 
owned a large ranch. In 1858 the family came 
to Calaveras County, California, where the 
father followed ranching until 1886, when he 
moved his family back to Mexico, where the 
parents now reside. Senor Alviso is a promi- 
nent man and has held positions of trust and 
honor. Mr. Arata's parents, August and Cath- 
erine (Novera) Arata, are both deceased, the 
former having died in 1874, and the latter in 
1871. His father was born at San Miguel, 
Italy, eighteen miles south of Genoa, May 1, 
1782. Mr. and Mrs. Arata have six children, 
viz.: Augusta, Rosa, Louis, Oelestina, John and 
Katie. Politically, Mr. Arata is a Republican. 



m: 



■ 1 LLIAM COMSTOCK was born in Fair- 
field County, Connecticut, August 9, 
\rtj^n 1825, the son of Watts Comstock, 
of one of the old Connecticut families. The 
old homestead was the birth place of the father 
and grandfather of the subject of this sketch, 
and is still in the hands of the family. His 
grandparents on both sides were enrolled in the 



IIISTOHY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



patriot army in the war of the Revolution. Will- 
iam Comstock was reared to a farm life, and edu- 
cated in the New England schools, remaining at 
tiie old home until reaching manhood. The dis- 
covery of gold in California determined his future, 
and the family home for three generations was left 
Lehind, for, in 1849, he was enrolled among the 
Argonauts, and reached this State via the Isth- 
mus. The following six months he was en- 
gaged in milling on the north fork of the 
American River and the nortii fork of the 
Yuma River.. Later he engaged in agricultural 
pursuits in Contra Costa County, and in 1858 
came to this county, locating in Vallejo Town- 
ship. In 1860 he wedded Miss Clara Stone, 
who was born in the State of Michigan and 
came, in 1856, with her father, Elias Stone, to 
this State. Mr. Stone (now deceased) made his 
home in Contra Costa County. In 1871 Mr. 
Comstock with iiis family established their 
present homo. The homestead of 160 acres of 
choice valley land is situated on the Santa Rosa 
and Petaluma road, six miles soutli of the 
former city. From almost a state of nature 
Mr. Comstock has brought the place to its 
present improved condition. The homestead 
now, in quality of improvements and value of 
productions, is ranked among the best in tiie 
beautiful Santa Rosa Valley. Hurbert G. Com- 
stock, the only son and the only living child of 
Mr. and Mrs. Comstock, has his home with his 
parents, and is his father's assistant in the 
labors and cares of the farm. Florence, their 
only daughter, died at the age of sixteen years. 
Mr. Comstock, in eary life, was politically a 
Whig, but in 1862 became identified with the 
Republican party. 



(APTAIN HENRY D. FITCH, whose 



sp I of early events in Sonoma County, was a 
native of Boston, Massachusetts, born in that 
portion of t)ie city which was then separately 
incorporated under the name of Charlestown, 



May 7, 1799. His mother's -maiden name was 
Delano. His father, Henry Fitch, was captain 
of an English trading ship, and brought up his 
son to a sea faring life. In 1822 ihe young 
mariner made his first voyage as commander of a 
vessel. A captain in the serviceof the large ship- 
owning firm of Bryan, Sturgis & Co., of Boston, 
had died, and the infiuence of Captain Henry Fitch 
secured for his son, Henry D., the command. 
He took the vessel around Cape Horn to the 
Pacific coast of this continent, and to the Sand- 
wich Islands. While in command of this ship 
and in harbor in a California port, he met Donna 
Josefa Carrillo, daughter of a Mexican military 
otficer and native of San Diego. Tlie result of 
their acquaintance was an agreement to unite 
their fortunes, but to their marriage there was 
a serious obstacle. The father of the lady, be- 
ing an ardent Catiiolic, would not allow an in- 
fraction of the unwritten law which forbade the 
marriage of a Catholic to a non-member of tlie 
faith, and his decision was irrevocably against 
the proposed nnion. General Vallejo and Cap- 
tain Cooper, who had married sisters of the 
young lady, interfered, however, and by their 
efforts she was placed on board the captain's 
vessel, and on the arrival of the ship at Valpa- 
raiso, they were formally united in marriage. 
The paternal blessing was finally obtained, how- 
ever, and the couple settled down in San Diego. 
In 1844 the Mexican government granted Cap- 
tain Fitch eleven leagues of land, whicli was 
located in Sonoma County and became cele- 
brated as the Sotoyome grant. Captain Fitcli 
sent Cyrils Alexander to take charge of the 
landed interests here, and he also gave considera- 
ble personal attention to the property. He built 
two adobe houses in that portion of the grant 
which is now the Bailhache estate, both of which 
are standing, and one, modernized, is the pres- 
ent ranch residence. Captain Fitch was a man 
far above the average in point of intellect. He 
passed through many of the most stirring scenes 
in the history of this coast, but did not live to 
see California a State of the Union, his death 
having occurred February 14, 1849. His widow. 



lll^TiiHY '//■' SOSiiMA I'OL'NVr. 



wbo was born in April, 1810, snrvives him, 
making her home with her daugliter, Mrs. John 
D. Grant. She retains an intellect and memory 
nniinpaired, thongh she has lived to see three 
nations in succession control the land of her 
birtli. I'"itch Mountain, which stands like a 
sentinel over the beautiful little city of Healds- 
burg, will always be a monument to the man 
whose name it bears. lie built the Urst mill in 
Sonoma County (saw-mill and grist-mill com- 
bined), bringing the macliiuery from Boston by 
Sc'a. A short time before his death be was ap- 
pointed as the representative of the Pacific Mail 
Steamship Company, but never qualified. 



fOHN D. GllANT, of Russian River Town- 
ship, is a native of Clinton, Hunterdon 
County, New Jersey, born October 2i 
1828, his parents being William and Catherine 
(Wyckoff) Grant, both of whom were born in 
New Jtrsey. When he had reached the age of 
fourteen years John U. Grant went to New 
Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey, and 
there learned the carpenter's trade. In 1849 
he became one of a company of thirty-eight 
who purchased The Roe, a schooner of 164 tons 
burden, to take them to California. They sailed 
out of New York harbor on the 26th of Janu- 
ary, 1849, and after a fair voyage, which took 
thetn through the Straits of Magellan, they 
landed at San Francisco on the 30rh of June. 
The investment in the schooner proved a jirutit- 
able one to the owners, and Mr. Grant who had 
started with $350, had $700 clear of his pas- 
sage after the sale of the vessel. He pioceeded 
to Sacramento where he obtained employment 
at his trade, making his residence there until 
1858. He made his first trip to Sonoma 
County, however, in 1852, and then formed ac- 
quaintances and obtained such a knowledge of 
the country as induced him finally to make the 
county his permanent home, and since the 
spring of 1859 he has resided on his present 
ranch. He has been twice married. His first 



wife to whom he was united in matrimony in 
November, 1858, was Isabel Fitch, daughter of 
Captain Henry D. Fitch, whose sketch precedes 
this article. She died in 1861. By this mar- 
riage there were two children, of whom one, 
Fred, is deceased. The other, Henry C, is an 
engineer in the employ of the San Francisco & • 
Northern Pacific Railroad Company. Mr.Grant"s 
present wife was formerly Miss Anita Fitch, 
also a daughter of Captain Henry D. Fitch. 
Mrs. Grant is a lady of rare attainments, and 
has acquired a high reputation as a vocalist on 
this coast. She has devoted considerable at- 
tention to the study and preservation of the 
language of the native Indian races, and it is 
due to her efforts that these Indian dialects have 
taken a preservable written form. The living 
children of Mr. and Mrs. Grant are: Charles 
F., M. D., who is separately mentioned; Josefa, 
Ben E., John and Fred. Mr. Grant is politi- 
cally a Democrat. He was for four years a 
supervisor of Sonoma County; and is a charter 
member of the Healdsburg Lodge, A. F. & A. 
M. The (xrant ranch consists of 600 acres, 
occupying a favored portion of the Russian 
River Valley, on the Healdsburg and Santa 
Rosa road, within two miles of the former city. 
Mr. Grant was the pioneer hop raiser of Healds- 
burg, having embarked in tliat industry in 1872. 
His hop yard contains twenty acres, and is 
always depended on for a good return, the yield 
per acre having ranged from 1,200 to 2,000 
pound.-i. He has thirty-five acres in grapes, 
ranching in age from two to eight years. Of 
these one-third are Zinfandel, the remainder 
Mission and several foreign varieties. A twenty- 
year-old apple orchard of eight acres still bears 
well. There are also 400 Bartlett pears and 500 
French prunes, planted in 1888. About sixty 
acres are usually devoted to alfalfa. One field 
of ten acres turned out about seventy tons in 
1888. The land is very rich, and one year a 
corn field of twenty acres, planted after the 
rains were finished, turned out a big crop of 
corn, the stalks being thirteen feet high, with- 
out water from any source other than what 



UlSTOHY OF HONUMA COUNTY. 



moisture the groinid retained. The year 1S54 
was the best he has experienced for wheat. In 
that year; from fonr acres he cut and threshed 
280 bushels. 



fHARLES F. GRANT, M. D., son of John 
D. and Anita (Fitch) (rrant, was born in 
Sonoma County, April (I, 18(U. He at 
tended the scliools of Ilealdsbnrg and Litton 
Springs Academy, and begun the study of med- 
icine with Dr. F. M. Sponagle, of Ilealdsbnrg. 
He commenced attendance at Long Island Hos- 
pital College in January, 1885, and graduated 
at that celebrated institution in June, 188G. 
He was for a time in San Francisco, but is now 
practicing his profession in Mendocino County. 
He is a member of the Sonoma County Medi- 
cal Society. 



^jOBERT CRAiSTE, one of the Argonauts 
and one of Sonoma County's pioneer ag- 
^^^ riculturists, was born in Mercer County, 
Kentucky, December 8, 1822, son of Tarltou L. 
and Pally (Beales) Crane, who were natives of 
Virginia and North Carolina, respectively. 
Their marriage occurred in 1811. Robert Crane 
is one of a family of seventeen children, four- 
teen sons and three daughters, he being the 
eighth child and fifth son of this large family. 
Eight sons and two daughters are still living, 
George, the eldest, now (1888) being seventy- 
si.K years of age. He lives in Marion County, 
Missouri. Nelson, the youngest, is fifty-three 
years of age. The subject of this sketch was 
reared to a farm life in Washington County, 
Kentucky, whither his j)arents had moved when 
he was a child. There he received his educa- 
tion and lived until he was seventeen years old. 
He then accompanied his parents to Marion 
County, Missouri. In that county his father 
died June 21, 1849, aged sixty-six years, his 
mother having died January 21, 1844, aged 



forty-eight years. Besides the two brothers 
already mentioned, another, Richard H., a 
wealthy and prosperous farmer, lives on a ranch 
adjoining the one owned and occupied by the 
subject of this sketch. All the other living 
members of the family have their homes in Mis- 
souri. Caught by the overland ebl) of emigra- 
tion caused by gold discovery, Mr. Crane, in 
company with his brother Richard, left the 
Missouri home and started for the new El Do- 
rado. The train of which they formed a part 
consisted of sixteen wagons, fifty yoke of cattle, 
and a two-horse team and wagon for cooking. 
There were thirty-two men in the company, five 
of whom were attached to the culinary depart- 
ment. The day after crossing the Missouri 
River at St. Joseph ten men were prostrated 
with cholera, of whom two died. Beyond this 
no unusual sickness occurred and the journey 
was attended by no unusual or untoward event. 
Fifteen wagons and nearly all the stock were 
brought through safely. The party reached 
Cold Springs, El Dorado County, October 13, 
1849. After selling off their stock at auction, 
Mr. Crane and his brother engaged in mining 
in partnership with others at Georgetown. In 
the spring of 1850 they opened a grocery and 
mining supply store, Mr. Crane being most of 
the time on the road bringing supplies, paying as 
high as $28 for flour at Sacramento. This 
business was energetically carried on till tl a 
following spring when the store was sold, and 
the pan and rocker was resumed at Peru, foui 
miles below Georgetown. In June, 1852, M^ 
Crane visited this county and made a claim upon 
the land where he now lives. In October he 
returned, driving 100 head of cattle to his future 
home. In the stock business he had for part- 
ners his brother and two others. In the au- 
tumn of 1853 the Cranes bought out the 
interests of the others and remained in partner- 
ship two or three years longer. The original 
claim of 160 acres proved to be part of the 
" Cotato " grant, Mr. Crane acquiring a title in 
1858. In 1864 he added to his estate by pur- 
chase of 326 acres. This fine estate is located 



IIISTURY OF SONOMA COUNTY 



against the foot-bills, in Santa Rosa Yalley, 
seven miles south of Santa Rosa, on the road 
leading to Petalnma. November 3, 1853, Mr. 
Crane married Miss Susan C. Davidson, who 
was born in Kentucky, March 24, 1833, and 
who, with her parents, Jacob E. and Mary 
(Bolles) Davidson, crossed the plains to this 
State in 1852. Mrs. Crane is one of a family 
of twelve children, six boys and si.x girls. Her 
parents settled near Santa Rosa, where her 
father died at the age of eighty-one years and her 
mother at eighty. Mrs. Crane is the mother of 
twelve children, viz.: Mary Jane, wife of J. J. 
Lowry, of Santa Rosa; George Silas, farmer 
and stock ranchman of Morrow County, Oregon; 
Charles Bnrdon, stock farmer of the same 
county; Martha K.. wife of Thomas B. Ward, 
died at her home in Santa Rosa Township, June 
28, 1888; James Alexander, a resident of Yolo 
County; Hattie Forest, who died December 23, 
1886; Thomas Jackson, of Yolo County; Rob- 
ert Lee, residing at home; Roland Archie, who 
died February 18, 1874, iu her sixth year; Har- 
lan Smith, who died in February, 1874, aged 
six months and twenty-four days; Estella Hope, 
who at this writing is a pupil at Highland I'ark 
School at Oakland; and Wade Hampton, the 
youngest. Mr. and Mrs. Crau'i are members 
of the Missionary Baptist church. In politics 
Mr. Crane calls himself an old-fashioned Dem 
ocrat. He has held many official positions of 
trust, and is worthy of the honor and high 
coniidence so freely bestowed upon him by his 
friends and fellow citizens. Over thirty years 
ago he was first elected a magistrate of Sonoma 
County. He has twice served the county on 
the board of supervisors. 



tEV. W. H. MARTIN', pastor of the Santa 
Rosa Christian church, is a native of the 
State of Kentucky, born in Mercer County, 
in 1844. After taking a preparatory course of 
study he entered the Kentucky University at 
Lexington in 186fi. HI health caused him to 



leave the University a few months before 
graduation. Li the s])ring of 1873 he went to 
Australia to take pastoral charge of a Christian 
church in tlie city of Melbourne, where he con- 
tinued his ministerial labors nearly five years. 
The failing health of his wife induced him to 
resign his charge and come to California in 1878; 
and after a year's pastoral work in the city of 
Colusa, he accepted the professorship of Eng- 
lish literature in Hesperian College at Wood- 
land, the oldest Christian college in California. 
While filling the chair in college Mr. Martin 
also discharged the duties of pastor of the Chris- 
tian church in Woodland, one of the largest and 
most flourishing societies of that denomination 
in the State. Finding those combined labors 
too arduous to continue them longer, he resigned 
the professorship at the end of four years and 
devoted himself entirely to the work of the 
church. During the eight years which he had 
charge of the church it was exceptionally pros- 
perous. In October, 1887, he received and 
accepted a call to the pastorate of the Christian 
church of Santa Rosa, and has actively officiated 
in that capacity ever since. He found the 
church in this city suffering from lack of zeal 
and unanimity of effort and depleied in nuTU- 
bers; but he soon inspired its members with 
some of his own religious fervor, rekindled the 
smouldering altar fires, and it began at once to 
grow in enthusiasm and numbers. At one pro- 
tracted meeting thirty new members were added, 
and a steady growth and prosperity have re- 
warded his ministerial labors. The society now 
numbers a hundred and fifty member^ in good 
standing. Mr. Martin is very earnest, impres- 
sive and eloquent in his pulpit efforts, command- 
ing the undivided attention and interest of his 
auditors by his forcible and logical presentation 
of the doctrines of Christianity. Possessing a 
highly nervous, sanguine temperament, he is 
quick in thought and action, doing with his 
might what his hands and brain find to do, and 
always with the courage of his convictions. Mr. 
Martin has been twice married. His first wife 
was Miss Mary Longmire, whom he wedded in 



UISTORY OF SONOMA VOUNl'V 



Missouri before going to the " Dark Continent," 
iiiid who died soon after they reached California, 
leaving two children, a daughter and a son. He 
married his present wife, formerly Miss Carrie 
Miller, of Stockton. Califurnia, in 1884. One 
child blesses their union. 



niOMAS JEFFERSON BROOKE.— An 

®ff jf early settler and representative farmer and 
=^^ live-stock grower of California, left his 
birth place in northern Georgia in the spring 
of 1851 — being then in the flower of young 
manhood (twenty years of age) — to seek his 
home and fortune in the new El Dorado of the 
Pacific coast. Cuming by the southern route 
he passed up through the great San Joaquin 
Valley, and was so impressed with the beauty 
and possibilities of that vast country that 
he resolved to become the owner of some 
of its fertile soil. But, like most of those earlj' 
pioneers, he must first have some experience in 
tlie fascinating lottery of hunting for gold in 
nature's rock-bound repositories. Accordingly 
he proceeded to Sonora, Tuolumne County, and 
there spent six months in mining with quite 
flattering success, as he averaged $8 to $10 a 
day. and the last day's work yielded him $24. 
Mining life, with its wild, weird experiences 
and rough associations, not proving agreeable to 
his taste, Mr Brooke resolved to engage in the 
more congenial occupation of the agriculturist; 
and, giving his claim and tools to a friend, he 
started eatly in the summer of 1852 for the San 
Joaquin Valley to select a location for a farm. 
On the second of July he settled on a 160- acre 
tract of land twenty miles east of Stockton, a 
young friend of his taking up an adjoining 
quarter-section. The next 'stej) was to provide 
a place of shelter. For tliis purpose Mr. Brooke 
bought a rude structure several miles distant on 
the St(;ckton road, which had been nsed as a 
restaurant or lunch room, and, loading it on a 
wagon, hauled it to his land and fitted it up for 
his habitation. Tiiis abode was neither ornate 



nor elegant. No plate glass, plank floor, nor 
even water-tight roof, entered into its construc- 
tion. The front was composed of boards and 
the other sides of canvas, and the single apart- 
ment it comprised served as kitchen, dining- 
room, sitting-room and parlor. Having com- 
pleted all arrangements for living — including 
the purchase of a dozen chickens, for which he 
paid $60, to keep him company — Mr. Brooke 
and his partner (the young man above men- 
tioned), waited patiently for the fall raiits to 
come so they conld plow and sow for the com- 
ing year's crop. A six mule team, owned by 
his friend, and o.xen purchased from immigrants 
served them for this purpose, and they put in 
a hundred acres of grain that fall and winter. 
Mr. Brooke was the housekeeper of the Arm, 
and, of course, did the cooking. The winter of 
1852-'53 was an unusually rainy one and the 
roof of their batchelor home leaked so badly 
tliat tlio mud became ankle deep between the 
door and the cook-stove. Cyrus McCormick 
had not yet perfected his reaper, which subse- 
quently wrought such revolution in the harvest 
flelds of the world, and these young husband- 
men were compelled to cut all their crop with 
cradles, paying $6 a day for harvest hands. 
Besides cooking for nine men — baking a dozen _ 
pies each day, in addition to bread, meats and 
other substantial, Mr. Brooke made a hand in 
the field with his cradle, only loosing an hour a 
day to prepare the noon meal. The first crop 
they raised was barley, which brought four 
cents per pound for feed. Little wheat was 
sown until late in the fifties, partly for the rea- 
son that there was at that time no general 
market for it, but chiefly because the parasitic 
fungus known as smut prevailed here to such an 
extent in early days that it destroyed half the 
wheat crop in California and damaged the re- 
mainder to some degree; and it was believed by 
the old settlers that this State never conld be- 
come a successful wheat growing country for 
that reason. But a remedy for this blight was 
to be provided, and to Mr. Brooke belongs the 
credit and the trratitudc of California wheat 



UISTORT OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



growers for first introducing the smut destroyer, 
tlie use of which lias made tliis the banner State 
for the production of tiiat great staple which 
dominates the cereal markets of the world. He 
remembered that his father, back in Georgia, 
used a weak solution of "blue stone " — blue 
vitriol — to soak his seed wheat in before sowing 
to prevent the smut, and, concluding that tlie 
same antidote would be eifective in California) 
he made the experiment, much to the amuse- 
men-t of his incredulous neighbors. Dissolving 
a quantity of vitriol — or blue-stone — as it is 
properly called, in water, he soaked a portion of 
his seed wheat in it for aliout an honr before 
sowing it. The demonstration was completely 
successful, the seed thus treated producing a 
splendid crop almost entirely free from smut, 
while the crop grown right by the side of it in 
the same field from seed not so treated was half 
destroyed by the smut. Mr. Brooke's remedy 
was at once recognized and went into general 
use all over the State, and has been worth un- 
told millions of dollars to the farmers of Cali- 
fornia. About 1865 the first ship load of wheat 
was shipped from San Francisco to Liverpool, 
and the market thus opened stimulated a rapid 
increase in the acreage planted. In 1853 Mr. 
Brooke erected a two-story dwelling on his 
farm, and the following spring returned to 
Georgia and brought back a young bride to pre- 
side over the new home. With a zeal born of 
bright prospects and new hopes he resumed the 
labor of improving and cultivating his farm. 
But those hopes were destined to be Ijlasted by 
the withering scourge of affliction. Death en- 
tered his happy home and laid his relentless 
hand upon the wife and mother, who passed 
away in August, 1857, and within a single 
month their two children followed her across 
the dark river. The loss of his entire family 
was a crushing blow to the husband and father, 
the light of whose life had gone out. Five 
years passed, and in 1862 he was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Mary Worle\', a native of 
Georgia, whose father, Silas Worley, came to 
California during the early gold excitement, 



and several vears later brought his t'aiiiily to 
this State. Tliey now reside on their farm near 
Cliico, Butte County. Mr. Brooke remained on 
his farm developing it and increasing its acreage 
until 1873, when he accepted the management 
of the granger' general merchandise and agri- 
cultural implement store in Stockton, and moved 
liis family to that place. A little more than a 
year after, upon the failure of E. E. Morgan &, 
Son, who had been handling the farm products 
for the grangers of California, Mr. Brooke was 
solicited to take charge of the business of that 
organization in the State. He accepted, re- 
moveTl his family to San Francisco and super- 
intended their business from the spring of 1875 
till the spring of 1877. He then resigned and 
started a commission store on his own account 
and carried it on four years. Since closing it out 
he has retired from all active business save the 
supervision of his great ranch in the San .Toa- 
quin Valley which now comprises 2,400 acres, 
devoted to grain and stock growing, and is one 
of the finest farms in that magnificent valley. 
Desiring to give their children superior educa- 
tional advantages, Mr. and Mrs. Brooke removed 
their family to Santa Rosa in 1878. His wife 
and daughters soon became strongly attached to 
the City of Roses and its people, and, deciding 
to make it their permanent home, Mr. Brooke 
purchased half a block of land on Cherry street, 
east of Mendocino, and in 1883 built their ele- 
gant residence, at a cost, for all improvements, 
of $14,000. This family home is a model of 
beauty, taste and refinement. Of their three 
children, Annie A. and Melissa C. were gradu- 
ated from Pacific Methodist College, in 1883, 
and Thomas F., aged fourteen years, is attend- 
ing the public school. Mr. and Mrs. Brooke 
are also rearing three nieces, Fannie Bell and 
Ella and Ettie Worley. Miss Bell is also a 
graduate of the college. Mr. Brooke has been 
associated with this institution in an official 
capacity for a number of years as a member of 
the board of trustees, and is now the secretary 
of the finance committee of the board. In the 
spring of 1884 he was elected to the Santa Rosa 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



409 



city council and served fom" years. In the 
spring of 1888 he was nominated for maj'or of 
the city on tiie Democratic ticket, but his farm 
interests requiring him to be absent from home 
a portion of the time, he declined the proffered 
honor. Mr. Brooke is a charter member of 
Yalley Lodge, No. 135, in Linden, San Joa- 
quin County. Jolm P. Brooke, the father of 
the subject of this memoir, was born on the 
ocean when liis parents were en route to America 
from L'eland, theii' native land. He married 
Miss Esther Bennett, an English lady, who bore 
liim thirteen cliiidren, of whom Mr. Brooke is 
the tentli. His fatlier died in 1880 at the ripe 
age of eighty-four, and his mother died in 1882, 
aged eighty-six years. The old gentleman was 
a farmer by occupation. 



I^[0NRAD HAEIIL is the proprietor of the 
flK Mount Vineyard and Winery, adjoining 
^■^i Cioverdale. The ranch contains 158 acres, 
of which twenty-two acres are in vines, ranging 
in age from two to ten years. The varieties are: 
Zinfandel, Riesling, Chasselas, and a few Mis- 
sion, Rose of Peru, Muscat, Tokay, Black Ham- 
burg, Black Malvoise, Isabella. The winery, 
which is two stories in height, and 40 x 50 feet in 
ground dimensions, was erected in the spring of 
1886. There is a storage room for 75,000 gal- 
lons, and from 12,000 to 20,000 gallons are 
manufactured annuall}'. The quality is excel- 
lent and the wines command a ready sale. Much 
study has been given by Mr. Ilaehl to the sub- 
ject of wine-making, and this coupled with his 
many years of experience, has tended to the 
advancement of the industry in this section. 
Mr. Ilaehl is a native of Indiana, born in Shelby 
County, May 11, 18-16, iiis parents being John 
Jacob and Catherine (Carwine) Ilaehl, both of 
whom were natives of Bavaria. The father was in 
the wine business in Germany. In 1832 he came 
to America and, after a short stay in Cincinnati, 
located in Indiana, where he was an early set- 
ter, and l)ought Government land at $1.25 an 



acre. The subject of this sketcli was reared in 
his native county, and in 1868 he came to Cali- 
fornia, via New York and Panama, taking tlie 
steamer Ileiiry Chauncey on the Atlantic side, 
and landing at San Francisco July 1, 1868, from 
the steamer Montana. After a short staj' in 
the city he went to Mendicino County, where he 
had a brotlier. Two years later he went back 
East, and he and his brother and a brother-in- 
law were engaged in the California wine Imsi- 
ness at Indianapolis. Conrad Haehl returned 
to California and bought and shipped wine to 
his partners for several years. When on a trip 
to Indiana, in 1874, he was married and brought 
to California his wife and also his parents. His 
mother died here in December, 1882, and his 
father in February, 1884. Mr. Flaehl's wed- 
ding occurred in June, 1874, and his wife, a 
native of Brookville, Indiana, was formerly Miss 
Rosa H. Tirpank. They have four children 
living: Carl, Otto, Fred., and Edward. They 
lost one by death, Gustav. Mr. Haehl has taken 
an active part in the advancement of the grape 
and wine industry and was one of the main fac- 
tors in the organization of the Grape-Growers' 
Association. 

---^-^^^ 



i'^S ^^- SHAW, who owns and occupies an 
Iwl *^''clii"'d home one mile east of Sonoma^ 
^^^ has been identified with the horticultural 
and viticultural interests of Sonoma Valley 
many years. In company with his brother, S. 
W. Shaw, now a resident of San Francisco, he 
planted the first vineyard of foreign grapes 
designed for market ever planted in northern 
California. The cuttings from imported stock 
were brought from Los Angeles County, where 
they were bought at S150 per thousand. The 
first crops were sold at twenty-five cents per 
pound. At first the vineyard comprised six 
acres, but it was enlarged afterward and is still 
in existence, making part of the property known 
as " Maple Lodge," situated less than one mile 
east of Sonoma, and owned by William Pickett. 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNT F. 



Mr. Shaw was one of four brothers who came to 
California in the days of its early history. His 
brothers, S. ^Y. and S. L. Shaw, were among 
the Argonauts of 1849 (the latter is now de- 
ceased), and anotlier brother, who now lives in 
this neighborhood, came in 1856. The subject 
of this sketch was born in Windsor County, 
Vermont, in 1835. His father, Seth Shaw, 
died when he was but thirteen years of age. 
In 1856 he came to Sonoma County, and until 
the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion his 
time was variously empIo3'ed, a part of that time 
working in vineyards and also teaching school. 
In February, 1863, he enlisted in Company E, 
California Battalion, an organization which 
later became a part of the Second Massachusetts 
Cavalry. His service of eighteen months was 
in the Army of the Potomac. His discharge 
for disability becoming necessary, he became 
a resident of the State of Massachusetts, where, 
at Lynn and Gloucester he engaged several years 
in merchandising. At Lynn he wedded Miss 
Annie Porter, now deceased. Their only son, 
L. H. Shaw, is a resident of Lynn, and is en- 
gaged in the boot and shoe business. Mr. 
Shaw's present wife was formerly of Gloucester, 
Massachusetts. By her he has three children : 
Susie M., Gracie E., and Plelena P. In 1877 
Mr. Shaw again became a resident of C'alifornia, 
and again made his home in Sonoma Valley. 
The following year he established his residence 
at his present home. He is a member of Temple 
Lodge, No. 14, F. & A. M., and a charter mem- 
ber of the Colonel Allen Post, No. 45, G. A. 
K., of Gloucester, Massachusetts. The promi- 
nent part that Mv. Shaw has liad the past few 
years in making the County of Sonoma known 
for its horticultural productions, makes recogni- 
tion of him in this historical work an act of 
justice. AVithout making a detailed statement 
of his services, we will" state that in 1887 he 
was, as vice-chairman, associated with a com- 
mittee in charge of exhibits from Sonoma Val- 
ley, J. H. Drummond being chairman, and R. 
A. Poppe, secretary. Largely to his efibrts was 
due the fact that Sonoma Valley, in competition 



with the State, received at the Mechanics' Fair, 
at San Francisco that year, the first prize, $1,000 
in cash for the best exhibits of fruits. In 1888 
he was an honorary member of a committee rep- 
resenting Sonoma County at the annual fair 
held by the same organization. That year the 
county received the second premium, §600, the 
famous exhibit of Santa Clara County outrank- 
ing Sonoma County. 

lARLTON D. GROVER was born in Jack- 
son County, Michigan, March 26, 1841. 
His father, Francis W. Grover, was born in 
Cattai'augus County, New York, April 5, 1818, 
and his grandfather, Asher Grover, was a native 
of Vermont, who eiTiigrated from that State 
into New York. About 1832 the entire Grover 
family removed to Michigan and settled in the 
neighborhood where the subject of this sketch 
was born. Francis W. Grover married Lucinda 
Williams, a native of New York State. Her 
father was also a native of Vermont, who emi- 
grated from New York into Michigan about the 
same time the Grover family moved there, and 
settled in the same neighborhood. The heads 
of both families died in Michigan. In 1859 
Francis Grover and his family emigrated to 
California, taking six months lacking thi-ee daj's 
to make the overland journey from Jackson 
County to Red Blutf, where tiiey first located. 
Mr. Grover rented a hotel at Red Bluft', which 
he conducted for a while, and then bought a 
farm, devoting his time to the raising of hay, 
grain and stock. In the fall of 1863 he moved 
to Alameda County, and not being satisfied 
with that location, he soon after returned to 
Tehama County, where he resided until the fall 
of 1867 when he came to Sonoma County. He 
rented land for one year, after which he bought 
180 acres in Vallejo Township. Mr. Grover 
resided here until the fall of 1871 when he 
moved to Oregon and bought a farm in Linn 
County, near Brownsville, where he now re- 
sides. They had a family of four children — all 



11 1 STOUT UF SONOMA COUNTY. 



sons: one died in Michigan, at, the age of seven 
years; one in 1864, in the Union army; Royal 
H. Grover lives in Oregon, where he is engaged 
in fanning; and Carlton D. Grover, the subject 
of this sketch. When Carlton D. was eighteen 
years old he went into the mines, wiiere he 
worked four months. He was married in 1869 
to Miss Eliza E. Todd, who was born in Rush 
County, Indiana. When she was five years old 
her parents moved to Lee County, Iowa, where 
she was reared. Her father, Hugh Todd, made 
his liome with them during his old age, and died 
February 1, 1881, at the age of eighty-five. 
Mr. Grover has always resided on the family 
projjerty, which was owned by them jointly 
before his father moved to Oregon. He has 
at present 120 acres of fine land situated in 
Vallejo Townsliip, just at the edge of Petaluina. 
Mr. and Mrs. Grover liave had three children: 
Jennie L., born January 18, 1871, and died 
November 29, 1871; Charles H., born May 22, 
1878, and died September 6, 1873; Elnor May, 
born April 27, 1881. 



-^^-^ 



l^ENRY W. HUDSON, of tlie firm of Hud- 
IHl) ®*^" '^ Wright, furniture and carpet 
^sli dealers, Santa Rosa, is a native son of Cal- 
ifornia, born in Los Guilicos, Sonoma County. 
His father, Martin Hudson, was a native of 
Virginia, and his mother, nee Miss McElroy, 
of East Tennessee. They were married and 
lived in Missouri until coming to California, in 
1848, where they spent the remainder of their 
lives. They had seven children, five of whom 
are now living. Mr. Hudson's active life was 
passed in farming and stock-raising. He died 
in 1873, at the age of sixty-seven years, and his 
widow ])assed away in June, 1888, at the ad- 
vanced age of eighty-nine. The subject of this 
sketch was educated at Santa Rosa and at the 
State University, and at twenty years of age 
started out upon a business career as salesman 
in the house of Leibman & Co., and after being 
with them seven years went to Tombstone, Ari- 



zona, and engaged in general merchandising on 
his own account, remaining three years. He 
sold out and returned to Santa Rosa in January, 
1883, and in the fall of that year opened a car- 
pet house on Fourth street, near the Occidental 
Hotel. He continued there until December, 

1886, when S. B. Wright came into the firm, 
and the partners bought out the furniture stock 
of B. Cruthers, whose store was on Plinton 
avenue, where they moved the carpet depart- 
ment, and in the fall of 1886 commenced the 
large building they now occupy on B sti'eet. 
They moved into the new building in April, 

1887. The store is 50 x 116 feet, and in addi- 
tion thej' have a storeroom 20 x 40 feet. They 
carry a large general line of carpets, furniture 
and bedding, and do all their own upholstering. 
Their stock embraces a very fine line of both 
carpets and furniture, and is valued at about 
§20,000. Their sales run fully §50,000 a year, 
and are steadily growing. They carry much 
the largest stock in both lines in this city, and 
the largest in northern California, except Sac- 
ramento. Mr. Hudson is a member of the or- 
ganization of Native Sons of the Golden West, 
and is First Lieutenant of Company E, Fifth 
Infantry, National Guards. This company is 
composed of sixty-five Santa Rosa men, from 
eighteen to thirty-five years of age, L. W. Jull- 
iard being Captain, and J. Dunbar, Second 
Lieutenant. The company has been organized 
three years, and has weekly drills every Monday 
night. Mr. Hudson is also a member of the 
Knights of Pythias. He has one sister residing 
in Sonoma County. 



-^^ 



■=a%> 



t-^ 



< ). WILCOX, M. D.— AVho in Sonoma 
County has not heard of blufi', hearty, 
iH^jjsrj "? good-natured Dr. Wilcox, the eclectic 
physician of Healdsburg, whose eminent quali- 
ties of head and heart liave endeared him to the 
community? He was born in Marshall County, 
Illinois, in 1851; is the youngest of four boys 
and son of Orin and Parmelia (Davidson) Wil- 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



cox, tlie former a native of Connecticut and the 
latter of Scsotcli ancestry and a native of New 
York. They were married in New York and 
emigrated to what was then the West, settling 
in Marshall County, Illinois. The subject of 
this sketch was educated at Elgin, and gradu- 
ated at the Bennett Medical College, Chicago, 
in 1873. He at once removed to St. Clair 
County, Illinois, where for the next ten years 
we find hiin practicing his profession, in the 
meantime having married Miss Lelia Leota 
Varner, daughter of Abram Varner, Esq., an 
Illinois farmer. They decided to east their for- 
tunes in the Golden West, and came to this 
county in 1883, Avhere tiie Doctor has closely 
identified himself with the practical interests 
of the community, and where, with his interest- 
ing family, consisting of two daughters and one 
son, he still resides. The Doctor is a promi- 
nent member of tlie K. of II., and is a leading 
spirit in the Republican party. He has won 
many warm friends and acquaintances in the 
county, ami lias secure 1 to himself a liberal 
share of patronage. 

PENJAMIN CLARK, of Russian River 
Township, is a native of Indiana, born in 
Perry County, May -4, 1825, his parents 
being Robert and Nancy (Masterson) Clark, 
both of whom were Kentuckians by birth. In 
1831 the family removed to Illinois, locating in 
Bureau County, and there Benjamin Clark was 
reared. In 1853 he joined an Illinois party 
bound for California. They crossed the Mis- 
souri River at Kaneville, and choosing the Salt 
Lake route, arrived in Shasta County on the 
16th of September, having been to that time 
from the 17th of March in making the journey. 
After a residence of four months in Shasta 
County, Mr. Clark removed to Contra Costa 
Count}' where he farmed until 1857, when he 
removed to Sonoma County. At the time he 
came here his farm was covered with timber and 
all the improvements now upon the place have 



been made by him. Mr. Clark was married in 
Illinois to Miss Elizabeth Fletcher, a native of 
Fauquier County, A^irginia. They have five 
children: James H. H., born March 12, 1826; 
Jacob S., Samuel T. (all of whom reside on the 
home farm); Esther A., wife of J. J. Lindsay 
of Windsor; and Margaret Melissa, wife of 
Philip Wells, resides in Contra Costa County. 
Mr. Clark has been identified with the Republi- 
can party ever since its organization, and cast 
his first presidential vote for Fremont. In 1888 
he was nominated by the County Convention of 
that party for supervisor from the third district 
of Sonoma County, and was elected in Novem- 
ber by a handsome majority. He is a member 
of the AVindsor Lodge, F. & A. M. The sub- 
ject of this sketch is the owner of a tine ranch 
of over 260 acres, a mile and a quarter from 
Windsor, the most of which is devoted to gen- 
eral farming purposes. Three acres are in or- 
chard, the trees being about twenty years old, 
consisting of almonds, apples and chestuiits. 
There are two acres of younger trees — peaches, 
prunes, apricots and plums. All are in good 
condition and yield well. Mr. Clark is an up- 
right, conscientious man, and enjoys in a high 
degree the confidence of his fellow-citizens. 



•°'^^ ^"f<i" »°- 

tON. EMERSON J. GRIFFITH was born 
in the State of North Carolina thirty- 
seven years ago. At the age of eight years 
he removed with his parents to Virginia. From 
that time till sixteen years of age he attended 
the county schools and worked on a farm alter- 
nately. He then taught a subscription school 
in southwestern Virginia. At the age of sev- 
enteen he went to Kenton County, Kentucky, 
and was elected principal of a boys' academy 
near Independence. The following year he re- 
turned to Virginia and pursued his studies on 
his own account, and taught as principal of a 
high school till nineteen years of age. He then 
entered Emory and Henry College, Virginia, 
where he graduated with honor, taking the de- 



UlSTdllY OF SONiiMA COVM')' 



grees of A. B. and A. M. During his course 
at college Mr. Griffith won the " Collins prize 
medal,"' which was awarded to him by the 
faculty of the University of Virginia sitting as 
a cominiltee. lie also won the highest honors 
in the linguistic department and oratory, and 
on receiving ids degrees delivered a classical 
oration in Latin. Soon after his graduation he 
married Mary Virginia Dnnn, of Virginia, and 
the young people settled in Santa Rosa, Califor- 
nia, early in October, 1874. In January, 1875, 
lie was elected Professor of the Natural Sciences 
and Modern I,iterature in the Pacific Methodist 
College, which position he filled with credit to 
himself and to the institution. Having grad- 
uated in international and mercantile law while 
at college, he liad a strong desire to engage in 
the practice of the law. Accordingly he re- 
signed his professorship in May, 1879, and in 
the following autumn removed to the city of 
Fresno and opened a law otHce, where he has 
since practiced with more than ordinary success. 
He has represented Fresno County twice in the 
Assembly of the State, where, as a skillful par- 
liamentarian and a trained speaker he was ac- 
corded a first place by that body. Mr. Griffith 
Avas the first to take active measures looking to 
a settlement of the irrigation question, and 
many of the remedies suggested by him have 
since become laws. So much did his fellow- 
citizens appreciate his knowledge and services 
that a great mass meeting of the people in 
1884 elected him along with Judge J. W. 
Worth as a delegate to go to Sacramento and 
assist in formulating the necessary irrigation 
measures. Mr. Griffith was a member of the 
State Democratic Conventions which nominated 
Governors Stoneman and Bartlett for the posi- 
tions which they subsequently held. He has 
always been a vigorous advocate of Democratic 
doctrines, and has ever been ready in an honor- 
able way to promote tiie interests of his party. 
Mr. Griffith is essentially a self-made man, 
having himself earned money sufficient to ob- 
tain a liberal education. In despite of many 
disadvantages he has succeeded in business and 



has accumulated a neat sum of money. He 
owns handsome and valuable city and country 
property in Fresno County. Some months since 
lie purciiased tiie fine residence on the corner of 
B and 7th streets, in Santa Eosa, and removed 
his family to this beautiful city, which he avers 
he loved first and can but love last. Here Mr. 
Griffith, though yet young, hopes to spend his 
life. He and his estimable wife have three 
children, a son and two daughters, the two eldest 
being now in attendance at one of the maiiv 
excellent schools of Santa llosa. 

«^^. 3 , , ! . ? .^>-^ 

fACOB K. SNYDER, deceased.— No histoi-y 
of Sonoma County or of California would 
be considered complete without more than 
a passing mention of him whose name heads 
this sketch. He was born in Philadelphia in 
the year 1812. His father, John Snyder, was a 
flour merchant, and during the war of 1812 was 
made a bankrujit by the loss of three cargoes of 
flour which were captured by the British squad- 
ron on Chesapeake Bay. Shortly after the close 
of the war he turned his attention to brick 
making, a business he pursued with great energy 
till his death. John Snyder was no ordinary 
man. Taking for his motto that of the phil- 
osophical Benjamin Franklin, that a trade 
was a fortune to its possessor, he brought up 
each of his sons to some useful branch of 
mechanical labor, earnestly exhorting them to 
excel, each in his particular business. At an 
early age Jacob R. Snyder was apprenticed to 
the carpenter and joiner's trade, but his longing 
desire for a life in the far West caused him, 
during his apprenticeship, to mature a plan for 
emigrating to the land of his dreams. In the 
year 1834 he could have been found on the 
banks of the Ohio where the present city of 
New Albany, Indiana, now stands, at that time 
almost an unbroken forest. There he remained 
several years, but the same adventurous spirit 
tinit led him from the old home, still urged him 
on, and in 1845, while California was vet a Mexi- 



HISTonV OF SONOMA COUNT V. 



can province with no hope of its becoming a part 
of our great Union, except as a dream possibly to 
materialize in the distant future, lie determined 
to make it his future home. With nine others, 
early in thatseason, Mr. Snyder proceeded to In- 
dependence, Missouri, from whence, after neces- 
sary preparation for the arduous journey over 
almost trackless plains, deserts, and mountains, 
they started for this sunny land. After almost 
incredible hardships the little band separated at 
Johnson's ranch on Bear River, September 23, 
1845, Mr. Snyder continuing his journey to 
San Francisco, where he remained some time. 
At this juncturethe Californians had begun to 
manifest a strong desire to not only resist the 
tide of American emigration but also to drive out 
those already here. Mr. Snyder, in 1846, ap- 
plied to the Governor for a grant of land, with 
the view of building a fort for the protection of 
emigrants. The Governor, however, became sus- 
picious of the designs of the Americans, and 
fearing their restless energy and power, refused 
to make the grant. The same year, 1846, 
Mr. Suyder joined Colonel Freinont and, by his 
knowledge of the country and acquaintance 
with the customs and habits of the people, he 
contributed in no slight degree to the success of 
the operations wliich so rapidly and successfully 
cleared Califoruia from Mexican domination. 
As quartermaster of Fremont's battalion he re- 
ujained in the service until the war ended. He 
was then appointed by Governor Mason Sur- 
veyor-general of the middle department of 
California. In the exercise of the difficult 
and arduous duties of this office he won the 
esteem and confidence of the people, and re- 
signed his office amid universal regret, after 
which he entered into business in Sacra- 
mento. In 1849 he was one of the leading men 
in the convention called by Governor Riley for 
the formation of a constitution for the State. 
His firui decided course, his clear prophetic 
vision, showing the needs of the future, his 
manifest desire to serve the interests of the 
people, and to faithfully perform his duty, in- 
dependent of party control, gained for him 



almost universal esteem and confidence. In 
1851 Mr. Snyder was elected to the State Sen- 
ate from San Francisco by a large majority. As 
a Senator he made an honorable record. The 
previous year he had become a member of the 
well-known banking firm of James King & 
Company. In 1853 he was appointed by Pres- 
ident Pierce, United States Assistant Treasurer 
at San Francisco, a responsible position which 
he held during the administrations of President 
Pierce and President Buchanan. Upon theout- 
break of the Rebellion he rose above the level 
of the partisan and by word and deed allied 
himself staunchly with the loyal citizens of the 
State in the active support of the Union cause. 
In fact, it is claimed and believed that the atti- 
tude of Mr. Snyder had more influence than 
can be estimated in preventing an attempt to 
overthrow governmental authority in California. 
In 1862 he retired from the cares and anxieties 
of an official life to live upon his splendid prop- 
erty at Sonoma. There he passed the remainder 
of his days, resisting all effijrts of his friends 
who tried to induce him to again enter public 
life. Mr. Snyder was a remarkable man. En- 
dowed by nature with a stalwart frame, he was 
possessed of a mental strength and vigor fully 
equaling his physical. Perhaps no one has 
passed away leaving behind so long a record of 
California experiences. Commencing life here 
as a lumber merchant, he passed through mostly 
all phases of business. Shortly before his death 
he was president of the Wine Growers' Associa- 
tion of the State. As a soldier and as a civil- 
ian he ever did his duty, and by all was credited 
as being thoroughly honest and conscientious in 
all his acts, and to-day his memory is held as 
fresh and green as the loved hills and valleys of 
his loved home in Sonoma County. Plis death 
occurred April 29, 1878. In 1850 Mr. Snyder 
wedded Miss Susan H. Brayton, of Massachu- 
setts, who died June 20, 1871. April 20, 1874, 
he took for his second wife Miss Rachel J. Sears, 
daughter of Franklin and Margaret (Swift) 
Sears, who was born at the home of her parents in 
Sonoma Township. Mrs. Snyder occupies the 



IIISTOHY OF SONOMA COUNTY 



beautiful b6me establislied by her husband. The 
estate of 130 acres about one mile north and 
east of the city produces fruits of all kinds and 
is one of the most delightful rural prupertTes to 
be found in the favored Sonoma Valley. 



liA I'lUWELL, of AVushingtoii Township, 
oue'of the old settlers of Sonoma County, 
^ is a native of Lafayette County, Missouri, 
born within a mile and a half of Lexington, 
August 8, 1828. He was there reared to man- 
hood, and in 1850 set out for California, with 
a part}' of neighbors from Cass and Henry 
counties, Missouri. Tliey followed the main 
trail until it divided, thence by Fort Hall and 
down the Humboldt, and what was known as 
the Carson route. After a journey of six 
months duration, he arrived at Georgetown, 
where he mined about a year. A few days before 
Christmas, 1852, he aiTived in Sonoma County, 
and located near the old Franklin Bidwell 
ranch, within a half mile of Ilussian liiver, and 
also near the Fitch and Alexander land. L-a 
Bidwell and Cyrus Alexander were the only 
occupants of Alexander Valley at that time. 
For several years he followed the business of 
hunting game for the San Francisco market. 
He would haul the game, principally deer, to 
Sonoma by wagon, and then ship on a launch 
for San Francisco, thus requiring from three to 
five days to get game to market, where it would 
bring from 12^ to 20 cents per pound. Game 
was plentiful and seven months in the year 
good shooting was afforded. There were none 
of the hunters of that day who could excel him 
at hunting, though he was not the best marks- 
man at target shooting. Since coming to So- 
noma County he has killed grizzly and black 
bears to the number of twenty-three. He has 
not followed hunting as a business since 1857, 
in fact he has done very little since then. It 
was the custom to hunt in parties of three or 
four in partnership, and in this way they often 
secured more than 850 worth of game in a day. 



After giving up hunting he went up on Block 
MouTitain, selected a location, where George 
Jacobs now lives, and resided there a year, 
making some iinprovements, consisting of or- 
chards, etc. He then bought a piece of land 
near Franklin Bid well's place, where he lived 
seven or eight years, then sold out and bought 
and improved another place. In the spring of 
1876 he bought where he now resides, and in 
the fall of 1877 he moved on to it. Mr. 1 lid- 
well has made all improvements except an old 
house that has been standing for many years. 
Before moving to his present place, he had a 
ranch of GOO acres stocked with cattle and sheep. 
He turned this place and stock over to his two 
sons in order to give them a start in life. Mr. 
Bidwell was married in Missouri to Miss Eliza 
beth Brooks, a native of Tennessee, who died in 
the spring of 1855. By that marriage there 
were three children, viz.: John, James, and 
Nancy Jane, wife of James Anderson. Mr. 
Bidwell's present wife was formerly Miss Caro- 
line Howard, a native of Missouri, born in Mc- 
Donald County, and daughter of William and 
Rachel (Markham) Howard. Her parents went 
from Tennessee* to Missouri, and from there 
came to California in 1854, making the trip 
across the plains, locating in Mokelumne, thence 
to a ranch, on Russian River, and two years 
later to Ukiah. ilr. Howard is a prosperous 
business man in the latter place. Politically, 
Mr. Bidwell is a Democrat. He has witnessed 
tlie great change that has taken place in Sonoma 
County, and remembers when it was a wilder- 
ness. His present ranch consists of 100 acres, 
seven miles north from Healdsburg. This is 
devoted to general farming, and he has a small 
vineyard of choice varieties of grapes. 

fATRICK CARROLL.— No history of 
Sonoma ("ounty would be considered com- 
'\ plete without mention of the well-known 
and representative farmer whose name heads 
this sketch. Mr. Carroll was born in Mon- 



410 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



aghan County, Ireland, March 27, 1834, the son 
of Peter and Mary (Graham) Carroll, both na- 
tives of the county of his birth. His -early life 
was spent upon his father's farm, and he re- 
ceived at the same time a good schooling. At 
the age of fourteen j'ears he accompanied two 
of his sisters to New York, where he joined his 
brother, James Carroll. Upon his arrival in 
New York he entered the employ of his brother 
as a clerk in his store, where he remained until 
January 5, 1853, when his brother and himself 
embarked via the steamer route for California. 
Upon their arrival in San Francisco they pro- 
ceeded to the mines and there engaged in min 
ing operations. Mr. Carroll was also, while in 
the mining districts, engaged in clerking, 
packing, teatning, etc. In 1854 the failing 
health of his brother James induced them to 
quit their mining interests and seek a more 
congenial occupation, and in that year tliey 
came to Sonoma County and located in Big 
Yalley, three miles northwest of what is now 
Bloomiield. Here the}' purchased 160 acres of 
land from Robert Gordon, and entered into 
agricultural pursuits. They were successful in 
their enterprises and gradually increased their 
landed interests. They were among the first to 
recognize the fact that success in farm opera- 
tions could be best secured by diversified farm- 
ing. Although their lands produced immense 
crops of grain, the prices often ruled low, 
consequentl}' they established a dairy and 
entered upon stock-raising. They were also 
among the lew who made potato-growing a 
success in that section. This partnership was 
continued until the death of his brother, James 
Carroll, which occurred in 1869. Since that 
date Mr. Carroll has conducted the enterprise 
alone. His-present magnificent farm comprises 
1,800 acres of rich and productive hill and 
valley land. Although much of his land is well 
adapted for fruit cultivation, he has but eight 
acres of orchard. In tliat he has a fine variety 
of fruit, comprising apples, pears, plums, 
cherries, etc. He has also a large acreage in 
potato cultivation, but the most of his attention 



is devoted to hay, grain and stock. Among his 
stock are 250 head of cattle improved by 
Durham breeds. Two hundred head of his 
cattle are milch cows, forming a splendid dair}', 
which is producing a superior grade of butter. 
Mr. Carroll takes a great interest in improving 
the breed of horses in his section, and has spared 
neither time nor money in securing this. He 
is the owner of the well known thoroughbred 
stallion, "Harry Paton." Fron) him he has 
bred some of the finest roadsters. He has also 
some fine specimens of draft horses from 
Norman stock. In fact all of Mr. Carroll's 
stock is of the best. Hogs, of which he has a 
large number, are bi-ed from thorouo-hbred Berk- 
shires, and he also has 100 head of Sjianish 
Merino sheep upon this model farm. The build- 
ings upon this place are finely located aiid are 
first-class in every respect. A fine two-story 
residence with a broad veranda running entirel}' 
around the building, pleasantly located amid 
shade trees, etc., is worthy of mention, as are 
his commodious barns and outbuildings. All 
of these attest the successful farmer and pros- 
perous man. Mr. Carroll's residence of over 
thirty-four years in his section has made him 
well known throughout the county, and his 
open hearted liberality and straightforward deal- 
ing have gained him hosts of friends. He is a 
life-long Democrat, consistent in his views and 
taking a great interest in his party, which has 
many times chosen him as their representative 
in county and State conventions. His influence 
has always been exerted for what he considers 
to be for the best interests of the party without 
regard to individual members. He is a con- 
sistent member of the Catholic church. In 
1869 Mr. Carroll was united in marriage with 
Miss Mary Alice Clark, the daughter of Edward 
and Alice (Stewart) Clark, natives of Tyrone 
County, Ireland, but residents of Melbourne, 
Australia, where Mrs. Carroll was born. From 
this marriage there are five children living, viz.: 
Mary A., born February 11, 1870; James, Nov- 
ember 3, 1871; Agnes J., January 12, 1873; 
Katie L., October 23, 1875, and Gertrude E., 



HI STORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 




August 24, 1876. The sixth child, Johnnie, 
born February 1, 1878, died September 29, 
1885, and the seventli, Ilalenor Eleece, born 
June 16, 1885, died October 6, 1885. Among 
tlie representatives of Mr. Carroll's family wlio 
are residents of Sonoma County, are his three 
sisters, viz.: Susan, who married Mr. William 
Jones; Catherine, who married Michael Slattery 
(since deceased), and Jane, who married James 
Whittaker. 



jARK CAR K.— The subject of this 
sketch, a worthy citizen of A'^allejo 
Township, was born in the nortli of Eng- 
land in 1825. In August, 1848, lie married 
Anna Middlemass, and on the fifth day of 
March, 1850, sailed from Liverpool, landing in 
New York May 13th, of that year. He went 
to Ohio and worked there three or four months, 
when he removed to Wisconsin, where he en- 
tered the lead mines in La Fayette County, 
remaining there until the fall of 1852. He then 
came to California by water and landed in San 
Francisco Uecember 3d. He went to the mines 
at Plaeerville, remaining tliere that winter, 
when he went to where Folsoni now stands, be- 
fore any houses were built there, it being 
nothing but a small mining camp, dotted here 
and there with miners' tents. Mr. Carr re- 
mained there until 1858. Folsom by that time 
had become quite a place. He had good suc- 
cess in the mines, making plenty of money, but 
according to the customs of the miners in those 
early days, their mone}' went quite as easy as 
they made it. After leaving thei-e Mr. Carr 
came to Sonoma County, and remained at 
Bloomfield a short time and then went over to 
Tomales, in Marin County. There he rented a 
dairy ranch, which he conducted two years, then 
returned to Sonoma County, rented a ranch in 
Blucher Valley, and remained there three years. 
On the eighth day of September, 1864, he 
bought his present place, which then contained 
145 acres, since which time he has added eighty 



acres to it, making 153 acres of as fine land as 
can be found in the Petaluma Valley. This is 
devoted to the raising of grain, hay and pota- 
toes, and he also has a fine family orchard of 
about 100 trees. When he first went on to the 
place there was a little old house and only a 
small part of the land fenced. By his own toil 
and industry he has succeeded in improving and 
beautifying his farm to what it now is. Mr. 
and Mrs. Carr have tlu'ee children: Ulsnla, wife 
of Hector McLean, a resident of Santa Barbara 
County; Thomas M., a resident of this township, 
and Mark, Jr., also of Sonoma County. 

l^ON. ROBERT BRIGGS, Senator from 
iW| White Pine County in the General As- 
TSi(l sembly of Nevada, purchased in January, 
1888, 295 acres of land in Mendocino Town- 
ship, within two miles of Ilealdsburg, where he 
now resides. Mr. Briggs is a native of Monroe 
County, Missouri, born January 21, 1836, and 
son of Samuel G. and Nancy (Wallace) Briggs. 
Both parents were natives of Kentucky, who 
went, when young, to Missouri. Samuel G. 
Briggs was a minister of the gospel. For a 
time he was engaged in business in Paris, Mis- 
souri, then removed to Scotland Coutity, and 
from there he crossed the plains to California in 
1852, and located in Amador Count}'. There 
he became superintendent of schools and held 
that office for sixteen years. His death occurred 
June 21, 1875, and his wife died November 23 
of the same year. Robert Briggs, who was six- 
teen years of age when the family came to Cali- 
fornia, commenced mining in Amador County, 
and four years later went to Calaveras County, 
where he followed prospecting and mining until 
1868. He then removed to Nevada and en- 
gaged in prospecting in Elko County and after- 
ward in White Pine Count}'. His mining 
experiences were finally crowned with financial 
success, but not until he had seen for himself 
the nps and downs of prospecting. In 1884 
Mr. Briggs was placed in nomination for the 



IHSrORT OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



position of Senator by the Democratic Conven- 
tion of White Pine County, and carried tlie 
district at the ensuing election, although it is 
ordinarily strongly Ilepublican. He served 
in the Senate with credit, and although 
in the minority, soon took a leading posi- 
tion in that body and was on the important 
committees of Mines and Mining, Public Mor- 
als and Education, Eoads and Highways, and 
Agriculture, and was also on the joint commit- 
tee on Irrigation. He was urged by his party 
to accept the nomination for Governor of his 
State, but declined further political preferment, 
and at the close of his Senatorial term retired 
to private life and removed shortly afterward to 
California. Mr. Briggs was married in White 
Pine County, Nevada, to Miss Julia A. Fonts, 
a native of California, born at Iowa Hills, 
Placer County. They have one child livings 
Daisy. Mrs. Briggs is a daughter of Levi H. 
Fonts, who came to California from Iowa in 
1849. He was a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and 
was but nineteen years of age when he crossed 
the plains to California. His death occurred in 
1863. His widow is now a resident of JSTevada. 
Her maiden name was Frances Peters, and she 
was a native of Missouri, having come across 
the plains with her parents in 1850. Mr. 
Briggs' place near Healdsburg is now devoted 
principally to stock and general farming, and it 
also has a small vineyard. It is his intention, 
however, to plant about twenty acres in fruit, 
mostly pears and cherries, in the winter of 
1888-'89. Mr. Briggs is a strong partisan, 
always contending earnestly for what he thinks is 
right, yet liberal to his opponents. He is genial 
in his disposition, and is alwaj's surrounded by 
a host of friends. 



§R. JULIEN H. RANKIN is a native of 
New York, and was born and reared in 
■^ Rochester. His father, John Rankin, was 
a Scotchman by birth, and his mother was a na- 



tive of New York. The Doctor was educated 
for his profession in his native city, beginning 
at the age of nineteen years, and remaining 
there in business about two years after complet- 
ing his apprenticeship. He came to California 
when twenty-three years of age and is now past 
thirty-three. He was in San Francisco a j^ear, 
pursuing his profession, wlien became to Santa 
Rosa, and after operating three years for Dr. 
Wiley, returned to San Francisco. He there 
entered into a partnership with Dr. G. W. 
Christenson, taking charge of the operative de- 
partment and remaining there until 1885, when 
he was seriously injured in a railroad collision 
in Oakland. The accident occurred by the col- 
liding of two trains running at right angles with 
each other, the Doctor being in the hindmost 
car which was struck by a water car backing to 
cross the track, and was completely demolished. 
Dr. Rankin was the only one injured, there 
being but one other passenger in the car. The 
injuries he sustained were chiefly of an internal 
nature. His hips were crushed and his spine 
and nervous system injured so that he was dis- 
abled from doing business for three years, being 
in bed and unable to move except when lifted, 
for five months. For two years he was able to 
walk only with the aid of crutches. Thinking 
to improve his chances for recovery, he took a 
sea voyage to Honolulu, and after remaining 
there about five months returned very little im- 
proved. In March, 1888, he again settled in 
Santa Rosa, and on June 15th opened his 
dental office, being able to work at the chair a 
few hours a day. He is gradually improving 
in health, but never expects to fully recover from 
the effects of the terrible disaster he ex- 
perienced. The Doctor has always made a 
specialty of the operative branch of dentistry, 
and ranks among the most skillful of his pro- 
fession. Since resuming his work, he has had 
all the business he can attend to. Doctor 
Rankin was married in May, 1888, to Miss 
Forsyth, a native of Kansas and daughter of 
William Forsyth, deceased. She has been 
almost a life acquaintance, and a tried and 



mSTOUY OF SONOMA COUNVy 



faithful friend during his afflictions. They 
a very devoted and happy couple. 



fOHN Z. JOHNSON, deceased.— A.mong 
the well known residents of Sonoma County, 
and particularly of Santa Rosa Vallej', was 
the pioneer whose name heads this sketch. A 
brief resume of his life is as follows: Mr. John- 
son was a native of Yirginia, and was a descend- 
ant of one of the oldest families of the Old 
Dominion. He was born in 1826, his parents 
being Benjamin and Sarah (Morehead) Johnson, 
both natives of the State of his birth. In his 
early 3'outh his father moved to Indjana and 
settled in Kosciusko County, where he engaged 
in farming and other (occupations. He is still 
living (1888) in tliat county, at the advanced 
age of eighty-six years. Esquire Johnson, as 
he is called, is a man of prominence and is nni- 
versally respected and esteemed in Kosciusko 
County. The subject of this sketch was reared 
and educated in that county. His youth was 
spent upon his father's farm, at the same time 
receiving as good an education as the common 
schools of the county afforded. In his young 
manhood he learned the trade of miller and 
wheelwright, at which occupation he was en- 
gaged until 18i9. It was then that the gold 
fever swept over the country and tired the ambi- 
tion of the young men and lured them to the 
new El Dorado. Mr. Johnson was among the 
first to start for the (rolden State, and in the 
spring of that year he began the journey across 
the plains with ox teams. After the usual hard- 
ships, toils, etc., attending such a long immigra- 
tion he arrived in California in the fall of 1849, 
and immediately located in the mining districts 
and commenced the occupation of a miner. 
After some months of trial he concluded that a 
miner's life was not suited to his tastes, and not 
meeting with the desired success, lie abandoned 
the mines and souglit employment at his calling 
as a miller. He obtained work at this in Hoopa 
Valley, Humboldt County, where he remained 



until 1858. In that year he returned, via the 
steamer route, to his old home in Indiana. Up- 
on his return home, in 1858, he married Miss 
Mary Ann Yeager, the daughter of John and 
Catherine (Ut) Yeager. Her father was a 
native of France, and her mother was of Ger- 
man descent and was born in Pennsylvania. 
Mr. Johnson settled down in Indiana, and en- 
gaged in his occupation as a miller. He was 
also during the years of his residence there the 
owner of extensive mills, which he successfully 
conducted until 1864. At that time being de- 
sirous of a mure congenial climate, he came the 
second time to California, bringing his family 
with him. This time lie came by steamer route, 
and upon his arrival in San Francisco proceeded 
to Sonoma County and located in Santa Rosa 
Township. His first residence in the' county 
was on the Petaluma road, two and one-half 
miles south of Santa Rosa, where -he purchased 
a fine farm of lUO acres, and there established 
a dairy. Mr. Johnson was successful in his 
farming and dairy operations, and he resided 
upon that farm until 1875. In that year he 
sold out and located in Aiuily Township, in 
Redwood school district, near Forestville, at 
which point he purchased 350 acres of land. 
From that time until his death, which occurred 
June 2, 1888, Mr. Johnscm devoted his atten- 
tion to the cultivation and improvement of his 
farm. In this he was successful as in all other 
enterprises, and soon ranked as one of the lead- 
ing farmers in his section. He was an energetic 
and progressive man, and with soimd business 
principles these qualities soon enabled him to 
take the lead. His long residence in the county 
made him well known, and wherever known he 
was respected and esteemed for his straight-for- 
ward manly qualities. He was always a strong 
supporter and often the leader of any enterprise 
that would inhisopinionadvancetheinterestsand 
welfare of the community in which he resided. 
In political matters he was a strong Republican 
and Union man. In the death of Mr. Johnson 
the community lost one of its most respected 
citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have two 



lutsronr cf sonoma couis'Ty 



children, viz.: Daniel Webster and Rebecca. 
The former married Miss Emma Banks,' of 
Forestville. Her parents were Lebbeus 1. and 
Mary (Ilurlbiut) Banks, early pioneers of 
Oi-ugon, who came to Sonoma County in 1884. 
Rebecca married James II. Mahme, and is now 
(1888) residing in Santa Rosa. Mr. Malone is 
a well known engineer and electrician in that 
city. Daniel W. Johnson is residing with his 
mother upon the old homestead, and is engaged 
in conducting the farm operations. The farm, 
as before stated, contains 350 acres. It is situ- 
ated at Forestville station on the Guerneville 
branch of the San Francisco & North Pacific 
Railroad. With the exception of a fine family 
orchard in which are grown a large variety of 
fruits, the land is devoted to hay, grain and 
stock purposes. Among the stock are 100 
head of fine Spanish Merino sheep. Of horses 
and cattle the farm is stocked with good Ameri- 
can grades. One tiling is specially worthy of 
mention, and that is eleven and one-half acres 
of land which is devoted to alfalfa. This land, 
with no irrigation, readily yields four crops per 
annum, aggregating eight tons per acre. The 
improvements upon this farm are of the most 
substantial character, consisting of a beautiful 
two-story residence, in which are combined many 
of the modei'u conveniences and improvements, 
and also large and substantial barns and out 
buildings. Mr. Johnson, Jr., has erected a paint 
and work shop. Besides being a practical farmer 
he is also a good carriage painter, a machinist, 
and photographer, to all which occupations he 
devotes more or less attention, both for pleasure 
and profit. 



tN. PETERS, farmer of Vallejo Town- 
ship was born in Fairfield, Franklin 
,„ ® County, Vermont, June 2, 1827. His 
father, Joseph Peters, was a native of New 
Hampsliire, of English descent, but a son of 
Richard and Mary (Cass) Peters, both natives 
of the New England States, his mother of New 



Hampshire. Our subject's maternal grandpar- 
ents were Abraham and (Bradley) North- 

rup, natives of Connecticut, of English extrac- 
tion. At the age of four years he was moved 
to the township of Armada, Macomb County, 
Michigan. Flere in a remote settlement he 
grew to maturity. Though reared in this 
sparsely settled country where advantages for 
education were limited in the extreme, by dint 
of his own perseverance, his will ]iower and his 
indomitable energy, with which he was blessed, 
he received a good education. He attended 
school during the three winter months, and in 
the summer months his .training was of a mus- 
cular nature. His surroundings also had a 
marked influence upon his education, being 
brought up in the woods, where nature's de- 
stroyer had not laid his hand, he, like many 
men so reared, took nature for his guide; and 
his tastes and likings are for those things that 
are natural, and strongly averse to anything 
falling without the pale of nature's laws. At 
the early age of nine years he was called upon 
to mourn the loss of his sainted mother. She 
being a devout and pious mother, he lost that 
influence which more than any other molds 
the future of sons, and on their lives leaves its 
sacred tinges. But she did not depart without 
leaving in a great measure her impress upon her 
sons, thougli it was at so early a stage in their 
lives, her kindly advice and counsel always be- 
ing the more forcible on account of her absence 
— serving to direct their course heavenward. 
When in the twentieth year of his age, he at- 
tended school at Romeo, Michigan, a branch of 
Ann Arbor Institute. Here he received the 
polish of his literary attainments. After leav- 
ing college, he spent some little time in pros- 
pecting in the valleys of the Mississippi and 
Ohio Rivers, with a view of following tlie occu- 
pation of his family of past generations who 
were tillers of the soil. In his travel through 
the valley he happened at Nauvoo at the time 
of the Mormon expulsion. He witnessed their 
departure and becanie acquainted with the wife 
of the celebrated prophet, Joseph Smith. He 



IllSTOItY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



ended his prospecting tour in the great agricul- 
tural State of Iowa, locating in the township 
of Marion, Linn County, remaining about two 
years and meeting with good success, when he 
became so alflicted with that pleasure destroy- 
ing malady — fever and ague — that he was forced 
to dispose of his property. He emigrated to 
the State of Wisconsin, locating in the town- 
ship of Sheboygan. Here he engaged in the 
fanning and lumbering business until the 28th 
of January, 1849, when his happiness was again 
disturbed by another fever — this time of a dif- 
ferent nature — it being the California gold 
fever. Leaving Wisconsin February 1, he 
reached St. Louis, where he became leader in 
forming a company which soon leftfor St. Joseph 
where he, in company with one of the partners, 
secured and broke the oxen for their long and 
tedious journey. This absorbed the time until 
near the close of the month of March. Then 
the remainder of the mess came up with tlie 
wagons and provisions. Here they overhauled 
and loaded the outfit. Li doing so, to his mor- 
tification and disgust, he found forty gallons of 
whisky as composing a part of the store of pro- 
vision. Knowing the evil of this and the liable 
disastrous failure of the trip which this might 
cause, he was determined that it should never 
cross the river. But upon broaching the subject 
to the rest of the mess he found himself to be 
alone in the opposition. He was offered the al- 
ternative of going with the liquor or remaining 
at home, although he was the principal owner 
and as before stated, the leader. His intentions, 
however, were not in accordance with eitiier of 
the propositions. The climax was reached when 
they arrived at the Nishna Botany River, where, 
upon appealing to the captain of the Indiana 
company, whose kindly intervention happily 
brought an end to the difficulty by securing the 
disposition of the objectionable article. Har- 
mony was restored and he afterward received 
the thanks of the entire company for his obsti- 
nate opposition. At this time a company was 
organized, consisting of five wagons and twenty- 
five men, with Worncastle, who had been a 



United States captain in the Mexican war, as 
their captain. April 2 they started on their 
journey to the golden shores of California, ar- 
riving in Sacramento August 25, 1849. There 
the company dispersed, scattering themselves to 
the various mining districts which appeared to 
them most promising. Tlie subject of this 
sketch hired out to drive a team of oxen to 
Coloma for A. \i. Hurd, receiving $10 per day. 
The trip occupied six days, and after arriving 
there he purchased a rocker and proceeded to 
Cold Springs, where, with a partner, he opened 
his first claim, receiving from the operation of 
said claim from $16 to $20 per day each. His 
aim was that of all those who came to Cali- 
fornia at that early date, — to become rich and to 
return to home and friends, — ^who took for their 
motto, " Let us be quickly rich," and acting on 
this he was not satisfied with the above pay 
but shifted from claim to claim, following after 
the Jack o-lantern — better diggings — conse- 
quently ending his first experience as all rolling 
stones — mossless. In January, 1851, he went 
to San Francisco en route to the Salmon mines, 
on Salmon Kiver, a tributary to Klamath 
Kiver. He arrived there and, in company with 
two others, became the possessor of a store of 
miners' supplies, the ferry at Red Cap's Bar, 
and the packing route from Port Trinidad to the 
mines, which they operated nine months,giving 
promise of very lucrative employment. When 
on the road to Port Trinidad for supplies he 
came near witnessing and being a participant 
in a most dreadful and bloody traged}', which 
in a single night blasted all protnised bright 
prospects. Upon arriving at Thompson & Mc- 
Devnott's ferry he found that for a trifling cause 
an Indian had been shot. This wrought the 
rest of the tribe to such a pitch of anger that 
they took revenge in their accustomed savage 
style. All the whites about the ferry were 
massacred except two, a man and his'wife who 
resided in a house where all the fire-arms were 
kept, and with these they protected themselves 
until day when the packers began to come in. 
The Indians tiien took flight to the mountains- 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



The packers congregated to quite a number and 
went in pursuit. The search, howes'er, was 
fruitless, and Mr. Peters returned to Red Cap's 
Bar, where he disposed of his eiiects and re- 
turned by tlie way of Port Trinidad to San 
Francisco. From there he went to Louisiana 
Bar in Placer County, where he had other in- 
terests. When at Sacramento he received the 
painful intelligence of the death of his father. 
This severed the last bond which drew him to 
his home. Six months had elapsed after the 
father's death before the news reached his son 
on the Pacific slope. He remained and worked 
his claim until the latter part of October, when 
he returned via the Isthmus, to New York, 
thence to Sheboygan, his old home, remaining 
there during the winterof 1851 and '52, settling 
up affairs preparatory to returning to Cal- 
ifornia. In the spring he proceeded to St. Jo- 
seph where he purchased an outfit, but came in 
contact with a company to whom he sold out, 
and engatred as captain of the company. This 
company consisted of a man and his wife, their 
five children, a young lady and five other gen- 
tlemen. They passed about the same route as 
in '49 and were unmolested until they reached 
the Platte River, where they were called to a 
halt by a band of Indians. The party, however, 
soon dispersed them and they had no more 
trouble until they reached the Humboldt 
River, where they again encountered the In- 
dians. The redmen were accustomed to rijn off" 
the cattle from the trains. All the volunteers 
fiom the trains to the number of 100 were se- 
cured, and the Indians were pursued and pun- 
ished; they being concealed in a large willow 
thicket it was necessary for the force to be 
divided; six of them were to ride into the 
thicket and the remaining ninety-four to watch 
the outside, and shoot them as they emerged. 
On being driven out by the party within, the 
most of the Indians were killed and but two of 
the emigrants were injured. Again pursuing 
their journey they arrived in Sacramento Octo- 
ber 1, 1852. Mr. Peters then went to Marys- 
ville, where, on the 6th of October, he was 



united in matrimony to Miss Eleanor Lowe, 
who is a native ot Nova Scotia, born May 28, 
1828, in Cornwallis Township, Kings County. 
Her ancestors on her father's side were Scotch 
and on her mother's American. Her parents 
were Ruth and John Lowe. The name of John 
Lowe's mother was Martha Gibson, and the par- 
ents of Ruth Lowe were Stephen and Eleanor 
(Godfrey) West. In company with his wife 
they moved to Grand Island where he ei gaged 
in farming, remaining there for two years. 
From there they removed to Dry Creek, Amador 
County, following the same business as at 
Grand Island, and after remaining there one 
winter went to Sacramento, where he engaged 
in the milk and hotel business for a year. 
They then went to Georgetown, El Dorado 
County, and engaged in mining, following that 
industry until the year 1860. In that year he 
came to Petaluma, and again engaged in farm- 
ing and dairying, which business he has since 
successfully conducted. They have reared a 
family of nine children, viz.: Johannah, 
Charles R., Frances A., Cassius M. C, Emma 
J., John L., Clara B., Nellie N. and Jessie 
S. Fickle fortune has to him shown its bright 
and its dark side, but through it all he has 
proved himself equal to the emergencies and 
has secured for himself and family many of 
the comforts of life, and has given to his 
children the advantages of a good education. 



S*'?»-=>S^^l.-=>^ 



tA. NORTON, Jk.— Of the rising young 
business men of Sonoma County, we must 
** not overlook Mr. L. A. Norton, Jr., the 
second son of Col. L. A. Norton, of Healds- 
burg. He is a " native son," born in Healds- 
burg, April 16, 1867, and, although scarcely 
past his majority, is already identified to a re- 
markable extent with the progress and enter- 
prise of his native city. Starting out in life 
when yet a boy, he engaged in the cigar and 
tobacco business, on the east side of the plaza. 
In February, 1888, he associated himself with 



lILSTOliY UF SONOMA COUNTY. 



liis present partner under the firm name of 
Bates & Norton, in tlie line of fancy groceries, 
and such is the energy and business ability of 
these 3'onng men that they are rapidly outstrip- 
ping many of the older established business 
tirms, and securing to themselves a lucrative 
business which extends over the city and its sub- 
urbs. Not only this, but such is the popularity 
of Mr. Norton among his associates that, unso- 
licited by himself, he has already occupied many 
honorable positions of trust and responsibility. 
Always being ready to extend a helping hand 
to encourage enterprise, he has been foremost 
in several local organizations, among which may 
be mentioned the Elites, a juvenile l)ase ball 
club, and the Enterprise Base Ball League, a 
county organization composed of clubs at Santa 
Rosa, Lytton Springs, Healdsburg and other 
points. In 1886 he organized the Sotoyome 
Cadets, an athletic and military organization, 
which, in 1887, was merged into the Healds- 
burg Athletic Club, Mr. Norton being its first 
president. He is foreman of the Rescue hook 
and ladder company; also assistant engineer 
of the tire department; is drum-major of the 
Healdsburg band, and in fact it may be said 
that no enterprise in Healdsburg can be consid- 
ered perfected without the support of the subject 
of this sketch. He is still unmarried, living at 
the Sotoyome Hotel, where he entertains his 
many friends. 



fAMES R. MELSON, of the iirm of Kuy- 
kendall A: Melson, contractors and builders, 
has been a resident of Sonoma County four 
years. He is a native son of California, born 
in El Dorado County, thirty-four years ago. 
His father, Isom Melson, came with his father 
from Indiana, during the early gold excitement, 
to California, and engaged in mining for a num- 
ber of years. Some years ago he returned to 
the East and settled in Missouri, where he still 
lives. The subject of this sketch is one of four 
f'hildreii, one sister being deceased ami two sis- 



ters living in "Washington Territory. Mr. Mel- 
son learned the carpenter's trade in Sutter 
County, and for the past eight years has been 
steadily engaged in the building business. He 
contracted for buildings, in partnership with a 
brother-in-law, in Sutter County, and after leav- 
ing that place in 1S83, he worked one season in 
Mendocino County, where he erected a number 
of buildings and then came to Santa Rosa. After 
working a year for another contractor, he 
launched out in Itusiness for himself. In 18S7 
he formed a partnership with Mr. Kuykendall, 
which continues to the present time. They 
have erected about twenty-live buildings, prin- 
cipally residences, and have now (August, 1888) 
four under contract, costing from §3,000 to 
$4,000 each. They employ an average of 
thirteen skilled mechanics, paying the most of 
them $3 per day. Mr. Melson also designs 
buildings when desired. He was married Octo- 
ber 12, 1885, to a lady who was born in Norway, 
reared in Minnesota from her early girlhood, and 
who came to California some years ago. Her par- 
ents, Mr. and Mrs. Swenson,were among the early 
settlers in New London, Minnesota, and are now 
residents of Santa Rosa. Mr. Swenson owns and 
operates a tannery near the Santa Rosa brewery. 
Mr. and Mrs. Melson have one child — -a son. 



mm 



fR. A. J. MILLER. -The subject of this 
sketch plainly shows in his physique the 
union of good old Scotch blood with that 
of the American pioneer. His mother, Adelia 
McCook, emigrated to this country from Scot- 
land at the age of twenty-two years, and his 
father. was a native of Pennsylvania, and was 
for many years a preacher in the Evangelical 
denomination, stationed at Lancaster, Fairlield 
County, Ohio, where, in 1833, the doctor was 
born, and where his mother died a few years 
later. After the death of his mother he re- 
moved with his father to Holmes County, Ohio, 
where he attended school, but it being oidy the 
ordinary type of country sclioul at that early 



IIISTOUr OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



period, and his father desiring that he should 
receive better scliool advantages, he returned to 
Lancaster, making his home with his grand- 
father. When fifteen years of age lie determined 
to see the world, and shipped as a cabin boy on 
board the ship Auark, of the Merciiants' Line, 
spending the next five years aboard ship. At 
the expiration of that time he returned to Lan- 
caster and read medicine with Professor Fire- 
stone and Doctor Perkey until 1851, when he 
entered the Western Reserve College at Cleve- 
land, Ohio, at wiiich institution he graduated 
with high honors in 1854. That same year he 
was united in marriage with Samantha Woods, 
daughter of James Woods, a farmer of Hancock 
County, Ohio; and began the practice of his 
profession in Wayne County, Ohio, removing to 
Jerusalem in 1857, and returning to the United 
States in 1860. At the first call for volunteers 
in 18G1, he enlisted as Assistant Surgeon in the 
Fourth Ohio, under Colonel Cantevell, serving 
three 3-ears and re-enlisting in the One Hundred 
and Thirty- third Ohio, under Colonel Ennis, re- 
maining in the service until the close of the 
war. The war record of the doctor is as 
varied as it is interesting. Beginning with the 
first engagement at Pea Pidge it includes the 
first battle of Bull Pun, Cliancellorsville, 
Rhomany, New Creek, etc. At Harper's Ferry 
he was captured by Jackson, but happily was 
paroled at Arlington Heights three days later- 
He served on detached duty at Georgetown and 
again at Fortress Monroe in the spring of 1864. 
Then came the memorable battle of the Wilder- 
ness, Petersburg and the operations before 
Richmond at the close of the war. During all 
this time the doctor's wife and son was with her 
father in Hancock County, Ohio. At the close 
of the war Dr. Miller returned to Cleveland and 
entered the Cleveland ^ledical College (Homeoe- 
pathic) and graduated in 18GS. He continued 
the practice of his profession in Hancock County 
until 1870, in which year he emigrated with his 
family to Schuyler, Nebraska, engaging in the 
drug business, but returning again to Ohio in 
1875. In November of 1876 he once more 



turned his face westward, this time locating in 
Harvey County, Kansas, where he practiced his 
profession until 1881, at which time he came to 
California, coming via the Santa Fe route. He 
tirrt located at Los Angeles and after remaining 
there six months returned to Kansas. The fall 
of 1888, however, he came back to this State, 
this time selecting Sonoma County as a perma- 
nent residence, settling at Healdsburg, where 
his experience as a practitioner, his urbane man- 
ners and thorough good-fellowship are rapidly 
making him popidar. He is a member of I'u- 
ford Post, G. A. R., of Halstead, Kansas; is a 
Mason of high degree, and has affiliated with 
the Odd Fellows since 1866. The doctor is a 
member of the Christian church, and politic- 
ally he is a Republican. 



f^|||ILLIAM PRINDLE, senior partner of 
l|o| Prindle & Seavy, dealers in saddles and 
l^=s>^ harness. No.. 518 Fourth street, has 
been a resident of Sonoma County fifteen years. 
On settling in Santa Rosa he engaged in the 
market business, purchasing an interest with J. 
W. Gray. Failing health compelled Mr. Prindle 
to abandon that occupation, as he could not en- 
dure the exposure and labor. After selling his 
interest in the meat market he wns out of busi- 
ness for three years, when he opened a harness 
shop and store opposite the Occidental Hotel, 
buying out the stock of G. W. Hamilton, in 
1885. About a year later he sold a half inter- 
est to his late partner, S. A. Seavy. In the 
fall of 1886 they bought the stock of L. Keser, 
and consolidated the two stocks into the present 
store, since which time their business has pros- 
pered and grown. They keep a tine assortment 
of saddles and harness, the most of which they 
manufacture, emplo3-ing from four to five 
mechanics in the shop. Their stock embraces 
every grade IVom the heavy draft to the finest 
carriage harness. They also carry a fine assort- 
ment of saddles, robes, horse clothing, whips, 
hardware, horse pads, toe weights, and every- 



nitiTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



4-37 



thing pertaining to trat;l< liorses. In short, it 
would be hard to mention an article used about 
a horse which cannot be found in their store- 
They buy in large quantities and get the ad- 
vantage of lowest wholesale prices. Mr. Prindle 
is a native of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, 
and left his home at the age of nineteen years, 
to seek his fortune in the mines of California) 
coming, in 1853, via Central America. Upon 
his arrival he at once engaged in mining and 
passed eighteen years of his life in the mines, 
the most of that time in Placer and El Dorado 
counties. In 1854 he helped to erect the first 
liydraulic machinery erected in Placer County, 
the first Mr. Prindle ever saw. His experience 
was altogether in gold mines, and he has seen 
panned out as high as thirty-six ounces to a 
single pan of dust, on the North Fork of the 
American River, an ounce at that time being 
worth $18. On the other hand, he and six 
partners put in a flume for the North Fork of 
the American River, working from April till 
November, employing sometimes as high as 
twenty men, and the total result of their sea- 
son's labor was five dollars in gold dust. He 
left the mines in 1868, with about ^15,000, and 
went back to his native State, where he lost 
$7,000 in buying a farm near Sedalia, Missouri. 
He lived there about a year and a half of the 
two years he spent in the East. He then re- 
turned to Placer County to take charge of a 
mine at $5 per day. From that place he came 
to Santa Rosa. On the whole, his mining ex- 
perience was satisfactory and successful. He 
owned a number of mines, some of which proved 
valuable property. One he sold for $1,800, 
which the purchaser sold for $20,000, and the 
second purchaser sold it for $50,000. This was 
the hydraulic mine litigated in the courts and 
closed by legal process several years ago. On 
the steamer en route to California, Mr. Prindle 
formed the acquaintance of Miss Nellie L. Ben- 
ton, a native of the same county as himself, and 
with whom he was afterward, in 1804, united 
in marriage at Dutcli Flat. They have two 
children: Frederick A., aged twenty-one, who 



is engaged in the store with his father; and a 
daughter, Mamie, thirteen years of age. Mrs. 
Prindle's father died in 1877, and in 1882 her 
mother died. They left quite an estate of im- 
proved and unimproved property in Santa Rosa, 
in what is known as Benton's addition. In 
1877 Mr. Prindle built a nice residence on the 
northeast corner of D and Third streets, at a 
cost of $3,300, which he still owns. 



— ^«::i#'^ — 

l^RANK A. BOHLIN is the manager of 
JK the Stegeman Winery. The ranch on 
"^ which the winery is located, contains 240 
acres, and is located within one mile of Clover- 
dale. Twenty-five acres are in vineyard, and of 
this acreage ten acres are from twelve to fifteen 
years of age, and the remainder from one to 
three years old and upward. The varieties are 
Muscat, Farisago, Black Hamburg, Isabella, 
Tokay, Mission, Zinfandel, Riesling, Burger, 
Sweetwater, Malvoise, Mataro, etc. The winery 
was established by AVilliam Stegeman in 1868. 
It has cooperage for the storage of 26,000 gal- 
lons, while the annual output is about 23,000 
gallons. Some wine is carried over each year 
for aging. There is also a distillery in connec- 
tion and some excellent brandies are turned out. 
The products of both winery and distillery have 
a high reputation and command a ready market. 
Frank A. Bohlin, who so ably conducts the busi- 
ness, is a native of Germany, born in Hanover, 
February 13, 1856, his parents being John 
Henry and Annie Kathrina (Banes) Bohlin, the 
father, a farmer. Frank A. Bohlin was reared 
in his native country, and attended school be- 
tween the ages of six and fourteen years. In 
March, 1873, he sailed from Bremen to Balti- 
more. He soon went to Washington and from 
there to Illinois, locating in Clinton County, 
and working a year at the town of Breese. He 
then went to Florisant, St. Louis County, Mis- 
souri, and worked there three years. After this 
he attended St. Mary's College, in Indiana, for 
nine months. From there he went to Logan, 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



Felix County, Kansas, and after two or three 
years went South. He traveled throughout the 
States of Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, 
Louisiana, etc., and while in the South was 
attacked with the yellow fever. After recover- 
ing he went to Arizona, and was a resident of 
Prescott for seven months. He then went to 
San Francisco and from there came to Sonoma 
County. Mr. Bohlin was married in this county 
to Mary, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. "William 
Stegeman. She was born in Sierra County. 
Mr. Bohlin is a Democrat politically. He has 
seen a great deal of the world, having traveled 
extensively throughout this country and Europe. 



^^k W. CRAIG, the subject of this sketch, is 
'IpMI one of the pioneers of California, a man 
■^^® widely known and universally respected. 
He dates his birth in Grafton County, New 
Hampshire, April 3, 1809, and is a descendant 
of an old New England family. He received in 
his youth only a fair practical education, but 
contact with the world from an early age has 
more than compensated any lack of youthful 
school advantages. He was reared to the boot 
and shoe maker's trade, and left his native county 
when si.xteen years of age. Afterward he spent 
several years in traveling through the Eastern 
and Middle States, following his trade until he 
came to California, which was as soon after the 
discovery of gold as he could arrange to come. 
Mr. Craig reached San Frg,ncisco July 6, 1849, 
having left Boston, Massachusetts, in the 
schooner Boston, January 26, the same year. 
Of course, as he had intended before leaving 
New England, his venture was in mining, in 
Placer County. Less than two years satisfied 
him that placer mining would not suit him as 
a vocation. He then came to Sonoma County 
and laid the foundation of a goodly fortune by 
tiie purchase of 230 acres of the choicest of land 
in Sonoma Valley, on the west side of Sonoma 
Creek. There on a gentle eminence giving a 
magnificent view of the valley in all directions. 



Mr. Craig erected his cottage liome, and there 
he has ever since resided. His substantial 
building improvements, his finely cultivated 
land, his orchard and splendid vineyard of thirty 
acres, etc., all betoken thrift and well earned 
wealth on the part of the owner. In 1888 
upon the completion of the Carquinez and 
Santa Rosa Railroad, which crosses his prop- 
erty, he sold his ranch for $40,000, to the 
projectors of the promising new town of El 
Varano. Until late years Mr. Craig has devoted 
his time and farm almost entirely to stock-rais- 
ing and general farming, growing of grapes, 
making wine and distilling grape brandy. Al- 
ways thorough, his efforts in viticulture have 
been very successful, as is evinced by the fact 
that he, in 1888, was enabled to market his 
choice crop of wine grapes, 120 tons, from 30 
acres, at $30 per ton. Until recently he has 
manufactured largely of wine, his output of 
wine having reached as high as 40,000 gallons 
per annum, using both his own grapes and pur- 
chasing of his neighbors. February 14, 1849, 
Mr. Craig was married in the State of Massa- 
chusetts, to Miss Sophia T. Clark, who was born 
in Rockport, that State, October 8, 1820. To- 
gether they have traveled life's pathway full 
forty years, but their union has been blessed 
with no children. Politically, Mr. Craig is a 
Republican. In all the relations of life, as a 
citizen, neighbor and promoter of public good, 
he has ever been a true, upright man, and the 
memory of few of California's pioneers, grand 
men as so many of them were, will be more 
kindly cherished than will his. 



fWEN II ARAN, son of Owen and Bridget 
(Leonard) Haran, was born in the north 
of Ireland in October, 1844. There were 
eight children in the family of whom four are 
living, the subject of this sketch being the only 
one in the United States. In 1868 he went 
from Belfast to Liverpool and from there to 
New York, thence by water again to San Fran- 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



Cisco, where he landed in August of tliat year. 
He remained there nntil 1873 in the employ of 
the North Beach and Mission Street Railway 
Company, as conductor. From there he went 
to Austin, Nevada, where he engaged in mining 
for a short time, and then went into the deep 
mines of Idaho. From Idaho he went to Vir- 
ginia City, Nevaihi, where he was engaged in 
mining and speculating in stocks. Meeting 
with success he finally, in 1878, came to Sonoma 
County and bought his present ranch, consisting 
of 230 acres. He was married in 1882 to 
Annie Cassidy, who was born in Ireland, June 
1, 1856, near the birth-place of her husband. 
Mrs. Haran was about fifteen years of age when 
she came to New York City, where she lived 
with an aunt until coming to California in 1882, 
the year of her marriage. They have two chil- 
dren: Elizabeth B., born September 11, 1883; 
and Frances W., born November 27, 1880. 



fAVID N. CAPJTHEES, senior proprie- 
tor of the dry goods and clothing house 
of D. N. Carithers it Son, corner of 
Fourth and B streets, is the oldest resident dry 
goods merchant, as well as one of the most 
successful business men of Santa llosa. He 
was born in central Illinois, Fulton County, in 
1837, when that was a frontier country, and 
there he was trained to habits of industry from 
early boyhood, taking hislirst lesson in business 
in his father's country store. Robert Carithers 
was born in Cadiz, Ohio, of Irish parentage, 
and married Miss Humphrey, also a native of 
the Buckeye State, and of Scotch ancestry. 
They settled in Fulton County, Illinois, in an 
early day, where Mr. Carithers engaged in mer- 
chandising and dealing in live stock. Of their 
family of living children, the subject of this 
sketch is one of three sons. He was educated 
in the common schools and in Illinois College 
at Jacksonville; and after a brief experience in 
teaching lie began the study of law in the office 
of the now eminent lawyer of Chicago, W. V,. 



Goudy, in Lewiston, Illinois, and continued 
about three years. Before being admitted to 
the bar, he decided that mercantile life would 
be more to his taste than the legal profession, 
and abandoned further preparation. Returning 
to his first love he engage! in merchandising in 
Illinois until 1867. Having beenjnarried in 
the meantime to Miss Mary E. Clark, a native 
of Fulton County, that State, Mr. Carithers de- 
cided to cast his lot in the Golden West, and 
arrived with his family in Santa Rosa, in No- 
vember of the above year. This now flourish- 
ing, beautiful city was but a village of 800 
inhabitants when he landed here. With a capi- 
tal of §2,500 he opened a store on Third street, 
opposite the court house plaza. Under his judi- 
cious and enterprising management the business 
grew and prospered, necessitatingseveral changes 
of location to secure more commodious and de- 
sirable quarters. His first removal was to Main 
street, opposite the Grand Hotel, where his store 
remained five years. From there it was removed 
to Fourth street, west of Mendocino street, and 
five years later, in 1881, to the fine large store 
the firm now occupies on the northeast corner 
of F^ourth and B streets, the building having 
been purchased by Mr. Carithers for the pur- 
pose soon after its erection. The store is 
40 X 100 feet in area, and is an elegant commer- 
cial emporium stocked with choice dry goods, 
clothing, boots and shoes, hats and gentlemen's 
furnishings of the latest and most approved 
patterns and styles. The firm purchase their 
goods direct from manufacturers or their job- 
bers and discount all bills, so that they are en- 
abled to give customers the benefit of as low 
prices as the same class of goods can be sold for 
anywhere in the State; and their motto is to 
not be outdone either in price or quality. This 
wise business policy has always kept the firm of 
D. N. Carithers & Son at the front in the dry 
goods trade in Sonoma County, and has built 
up a business from a few thousand dollars to 
$80,000 or $100,000 per annum, giving em- 
ployment to seven clerks besides the proprie- 
tors. During the historv of this house ^fr. 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Carithei'S has had several partners at different 
periods, whose interests he has purchased. In 
1887 lie took in his son and only child, William 
R. Carithers, as a partner, since which time the 
firm title has been D. N. Carithers & Son. 
AYilliam R. Carithers is a yonnginan twenty-two 
years of age, who has been schooled in the busi- 
ness from childhood, is thoroughly conversant 
with every detail, and gives promise of becom- 
ing one of the most successful merchants on this 
coast. Mr. Carithers has invested a large por- 
tion of his accumulated surplus capital in Santa 
Rosa real estate, and owns $75,000 worth of 
cliuice im])roved city property. He is also a 
stockholder in and a director of the National 
Bank of Santa Rosa. The residence of Mr. and 
Mrs. Carithers, on B street near Fifth, is one of 
the most beautiful of the many elegant homes 
in this " City of Roses," 



fOSEPH E. WILSON.— Among the attract- 
ive orchards and vineyards in the neigh- 
borhood of Sauta Rosa is that of Mr. 
Wilson. He is the owner of a beautiful tract 
of land 1444 acres in extent, located on the 
Redwood road one and one-half miles west of 
the business center of Santa Rosa, in the Mon- 
roe school district. The soil on his farm is 
a rich loam carrying a fair share of gravel, and 
is well adapted for orchard and vineyard pur- 
poses, as is well attested by the condition of his 
improvements. Forty-five acres are devoted to 
the cultivation of wine grapes of the Zinfandel 
and Grey Riesling varieties. He also produces 
table grapes of the Muscat and Tokay varieties. 
Twelve acres are planted with apples, pears, 
cherries and plums, and also a variety of other 
fruits too numerous to mention, all of which 
are very prolific in their yield. The rest of his 
land is devoted to hay and grain, and such stock 
as are required for farm purposes. Water can 
be procured in abunda ice upon this land at from 
ten to twelve feet below the surface. Mr. Wil- 
son has a fine residence in which are all the 



needed comforts that characterize a comfortable 
home. Pie has also commodious and well 
adapted out-bnildings. The general appearance 
of this farm shows the intelligent care and 
forethought of a practical business man as well 
as farmer and orchardist. 



^-ifej 






fHARLES V. STUART, deceased.— Among 
the pioneers of California, the men of 
^ . 1849, few led a more active life than he 
whose name heads this sketch. Connected, as 
he was, with the early development of Sonoma 
County and with the early viticultural experi- 
ments in Sonoma Valley, it is fitting that men- 
tion should be made of him in this volume. 
Mr. Stuart was born in Nippenoos Township, 
Pennsylvania, May 19, 1819, son of Charles and 
Mary Stuart. His early life was spent on his 
father's farm, attending the winter schools until 
he was fourteen years of age. At that time he was 
placed in the Owego Academy at Owego, New 
York, where he completed his school education, 
afterward ertering a mercantile establishment 
at Ithaca, New York. He found, in 1839, his 
health failing to such a degree that rest and 
change became indispensable. The following 
year was spent in wandering from Maine to 
Texas and from New Orleans to the upper Mis- 
sissippi. After i-eturning to Ithaca he formed 
a mercantile connection which continued until 
he decided to try his fortunes on this coast. In 
the last days of March, 1849, as captain of a 
train of pack-mules, which he had becTi instru- 
mental in organizing, he left Leavenworth, via 
the northern route, for this State. Passing en 
route Los Angeles, he reached San Francisco 
November 20. The old Mission Dolores at- 
tracted him, and there for nearly twenty years 
he made his home. He was a member of the 
first board of aldermen of San Francisco, under 
John W. Geary as mayor, and he early became 
one of the city's leading public and business 
men. His first great venture was the leasing 
of the Berryessa family, the supposed true own- 



llI.STO/ir OF SOMiMA VOUNTr. 



ers, of the famed New Aliriadeii quicksilver 
mines. After years of unproductive labor, to 
escape litigation, Mr. Stuart sold his interests in 
the property. In 1851 he built the tirst brick 
house in San Francisco. About that time he 
purchased property in Sonoma Valley, and not 
long after began one of the earliest essays at 
viticulture in Sonoma County. In 1869 he 
settled under his own vine and tig tree upon his 
Sonoma Valley property, and gave the name of 
Glen Ellen to his home, a name which was 
later given to the neighborhood postoffice, and 
still later to a picturesque village three-fourths 
of a mile away, reached by two lines of railroad. 
In 1870 Mr. Stuart erected a large and well 
ordered residence upon his estate. He was 
elected to the State Constitutional Convention 
assembled in 1878. Reared in the Democratic 
faith he loyally supported Abraham Lincoln and 
his administration, and ever afterward acted 
with the Republican party. In 1843 Mr. 
Stuart wedded Miss Ellen Mary Tourtellot, a 
refined and cultured lady, daughter of Jeremiah 
Tourteilot, a French gentleman descended from 
one of the old Huguenot families who settled 
at Cooperstown, New York. Her mother, 
formerly Eleanor Wood, was of English 
birth. After having witnessed the passing of 
California from a territory in a semi-chaotic 
condition to a State teeming Avith wealth and 
civilization, in which he had manfully acted his 
part, Mr. Stuart died August 13, 1880. Widely 
known and universally respected for his many 
good qualities, his death was a great bereave- 
ment to the community at large. Mrs. Stuart 
survives and has the charge and management of 
the Glen Ellen homestead, which consists of 
320 acres. Her eldest son, Robert II., a young 
man of great promise, died in Colorado in Sep- 
tember, 1878. The names of her other children 
are: Mary, widow of Remington Pickett, resid- 
ing at Santa Rosa; Emily, wife of Marc Stang- 
room, of Whatcom, Washington Territory. 
The three already mentioned were born in the 
East, and the following in this State: Charles 
D., of Pacific Grove, Monterey County, An- 



toinette, wife of Alfred Vermehr, of Kingman, 
ArizoTia; Ida, wife of George W. Sessions, of 
San Fi'anciseo; and Isabell, wife of Foster S. 
Dennis, of New I^edford, Massachusetts. 



^.ENRY KIRCH was born in Bavaria, 
^m^ Germany, January 30, 1835, his parents 
^wi being Henry and Sophia (Smith) Kirch, 
both natives of Bavaria. Mr. Kirch attended 
school in his native place until the age of fifteen 
years, when he was apprenticed to the shoe- 
maker's trade. After working at that for two 
years, and being desirous of improving his con- 
dition, he decided to seek some newer country. 
Accordingly, in 1853, he emigrated to the 
United States. Upon his ari-ival in New York, 
he followed the occupation of a shoemaker for 
about six months, then went to New Jersey and 
engaged principally in fai-m labor until 1856. 
In that year he returned to New York and en- 
- gaged in the hoop pole business for one year. 
In April, 1857, he came to California, via the 
Nicaragua route, and soon after his arrival lo- 
cated in Sierra County, where he worked in a 
lumber mill until 1858. The Frazer River 
mining excitement then sprang up and Mr. 
Kirch decided to seek his fortune in that dis- 
trict. A trial of six months at mining proved 
u^atisfactory and he returned to Sierra County, 
where he continued his oocupation in the mills 
until 1861. In that year he went to Washing- 
ton Territory and located at Port Discovery, 
where he remained until the fall of 1862, being 
engaged in the lumlier mills at that place. His 
ne.\t move was for Arizona, and he was there oc- 
cupied in mining, with the exception of a short 
time spent in San Francisco, until 1866. In 
tliat year he returned to California and located 
in Marin County where he rented a small farm 
ami engaged in farming. While there he was 
also largely interested in building and con- 
structing county roads, and for three years was 
a road master of the district in which he re- 
sided. In 1870 he came to Sonoma County, 



UIsrORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



locating about two and a lialf miles south of 
Santa Rosa upon lands whicli lie rented from 
Mr. Harmon. He then established a dairy of 
about fifty cows, which he conducted until 1874, 
when he moved to the lands of F. Leddy, on 
the Santa Rosa and Sebastopol road, where he 
remained and continued his dairy operations 
till 1884, at which time he purchased his pres- 
ent farm and residence. This farm is located 
on the Santa Rosa and Glen Ellen road in Ben- 
nett Valley, about nine miles from Santa Rosa, 
in the Strawberry school district. He owns 
689 acres of hill and valley land which he is 
rapidly placing under cultivation and making 
very productive. A fine vineyard of fifty acres 
has been planted, which produces a choice va- 
riety of Zinfaudel w'ine grapes and also a variety 
of table grapes. Of orchard he has ten acres 
in which is grown cherries, apples, pears, plums, 
French prunes, etc. The rest of the land is 
devoted to haj and pasture for stock. It is the 
design of Mr. Kirch to largely increase his vine- 
yai-d and erect a winery. Mr. Kirch has made 
a success in his agricultural pursuits and this 
has been secured by an energetic and intelligent 
system of cultivation. He is located in a rich 
and productive section of the county, and he 
knows how to reap all the benefits to be derived 
from the soil. He is a progressive citizen, and 
in good standing in the community. In pol- 
itical matters he is a Democrat. He is a lUQ^n- 
ber of Sonoma Lodge, No. 53, I. O. O. F., 
and also of the Knights of Honor. In 1868 Mr. 
Kirch married Miss Helene Y. D. Scheer, a 
native of Germany, the daughter of Henry and 
Catherine Y. D. Scheer. From this marriage 
there has been born the following named 
children: Lizzie, Henry, William, Julius, Frank, 
Leonard, Karl, and Peter. 



-3«-<^ 



fOHN. M. LAUGHLIN.— The subject of 
this sketcii dates his birth in Warren 
County, Tennessee, August 24, 1824. His 
parents, Alexander and Elizabeth (McGill) 



Laughlin, were both natives of Yirginia. His 
father died in 1831, leaving the family to the 
care of the mother, and in 1840 she moved to 
Yan Buren County, Iowa, and there located on 
a farm. Mr. Laughlin remained upon his moth- 
er's farm until 1850, when his ambitious spirit 
led him to strike out in life for himself In 
the spring of that year he started, with ox 
teams, across the plains for California. This 
long journey was accomplished by the usual 
months of toil and hardships so well known 
and remembered by the pioneers of California. 
September 6, 1850, he arrived at Placerville 
and engaged in mining. Mr. Laughlin con- 
tinued this occupation until the spring of 1853. 
He then returned overland to Iowa, and in the 
same year married Miss Matilda Faught, the 
daughter of William and Nancy Faucrlit, natives 
of Kentucky. He remained in Iowa until the 
spring of 1854 when, in company with his wife, 
mother, brother and sister, he started upon his 
third trip across the plains. This time he and 
his brother brought about 200 cattle with them. 
Nothing unusual occurred upon this long journey 
and the party arrived safely in Sonoma County 
that fall and located on the Mark West Creek. 
Finding immense tracts of rich land unoccupied, 
Mr. Laughlin pitciied his tent. He then went 
into the redwoods where he split out shakes and 
other timber which he hauled to his claim, and 
used in building a cabin. Mr Laughlin then 
commenced his career as a pioneer farmer of the 
county, and siuce that time has devoted his 
attention to that calling. The success that has 
attended his efi"orts is well attested by the 
various productions of his rich and highly cul- 
tivated lands. A large and well ordered dwell- 
ing-house containing the comforts and con- 
veniences of modern well ordered homes has 
taken the place of his simple cabin. Com- 
modious out bnildings store his products and 
shelter his herds. The evidences of his pros- 
perity are everywhere visible upon this model 
farm. Mr. Laughlin now owns 550 acres, com- 
prising some of the most productive land in 
Sonoma County, located in Russian River 



IIISTUBT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Township, Lone Redwood school district, less 
than one mile west from Mark West station, 
on the North Pacific Railroad. Among the 
noticeable features ofliis farm are twenty acres of 
orchard which is producing a large variety of 
fruits, such as apples, peaches, French prunes, 
plums, pears, and tigs, lie has also twelve acres of 
vineyard devoted to wine and table grapes, among 
which are Zinfandel, Malvoise, Muscat, Tokay 
and Rose of Peru. His alfalfa fields are especially 
worthy of mention. They comprise seventy 
acres of his land and produce three large crops 
each year, besides furnishing months of pasturage 
for his stock; all this is done without any irri- 
gation. The balance of his land is devoted to 
hay, grain and stock. Among his stock are 300 
sheep of the South Down and Shropshire breeds. 
His cattle, which he raises fur market purposes, 
are improved with Durham stock. He also de- 
votes considerable attention to horses of im- 
proved stock, and has some fine specimens of 
draft and road horses, the former being im- 
proved with " Suffolk Punch " and English 
stock, and the roadsters, by " Anteo " Patchen 
stock. Mr. Laughlin is well entitled to be 
styled one of the representative farmers of So- 
noma County. His long residence has made 
him well known, and his straightforward, con- 
sistent course of life has gained for him a large 
circle of friends. He is a public-spirited and 
progressive citizen, a strong supporter of any 
enterprise which he believes will advance the 
prosperity and welfare of the community in 
which he resides. He has served for thirty 
years as a school trustee in his district. In 
political matters he is a Democrat, liberal and 
conservative in his views. He is a member of 
Santa Rosa Lodge, No. 57, F. & A. M., also Santa 
Rosa Chapter, No. 45. Mr. Laughlin's wife died 
in 187G, and in 1877 he married Mrs. Cordelia 
(Bixby) Sanborn, the widow of Ezra Sanborn, 
a native of Maine, but resident of Sonoma 
County. He has seven children living, viz: 
Alexander D., who married Miss Mary Johnson, 
living in Santa Rosa, is an attorney -at-law 
in that city; Eliza Jane, who married Mark 



Brown, residing in Washington Territory;' Mel- 
vina, wife of William P. Slusser, residing in 
Sonoma County; Lizzie, wife of Frank McCul- 
loh, residing in Mariposa County; Amanda, 
wife of James Bailey, residing in Windsor; 
John and Alpheus, living at home. Mrs. 
Laugiilin has also two children living from her 
former marriage, viz: Willard B. Sanborn, who 
married Miss Rose Perkinson, now residing in 
Santa Rosa, and Emma, who married John 
Faught, residing in Sonoma County. 



,g^!EORGE WALTER ORMSBY was born 
iriW in Dane County, Wisconsin, April 13, 
'W^ .1848. His father, John Harper Ormsby, 
was born in Ohio, where lie grew to manhood 
and from there moved to Wisconsin. He was 
married July 26, 1837, to Betsey Ann Carroll, 
a native of New York State. After a few years' 
residence in Dane County he moved to Mar- 
quette County, where he lived until 18G1. In 
that year the famil}', consisting of Mr. Ormsby, 
his wife and five children, came to California. 
They made the journey across the plains, being 
on the way about six months, and first located 
in Big Valley, in Sonoma County, within a 
mile of Yalley Ford on the ranch of Stephen 
Fowler. They put in a crop and stayed there a 
few months, but left the place before the crop 
was harvested. From there the family went to 
Amador County, where the male members 
worked at mining, at Mineral City, near Forest 
Home, a postoflice on the old stage route be- 
tween Sacramento and Placerville. Mr. Ormsby 
was engaged there about a year, and then came 
down to Petaluma and stayed tliere about a 
year for the purpose of educating his children. 
In 1865 he bought the homestead place in 
Vallejo Township, 'in the Waugh district, then 
consisting of 260 acres. He lived on the place 
until about 1873, and then moved to a ranch in 
the Elmore district, near Petaluma, where he 
lived until about 1884. The family then moved 
to Geyserville, where they now reside. They 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



have had live children, of whom four are living: 
John Whitney, Mrs. Mary A. Prescott, George 
Walter, Powell Martin, and Mrs. Julia Fill- 
more, deceased. George Walter Ormsbj was 
married October 18, 1871, to Lydia Lucetta 
Sackett. Shortly after he rented the whole 
ranch, in which he already owned an interest, 
the gift of his father after he became of age. 
After renting it for aboiit seven years he then 
bought the property, consisting at present of 
223 acres. It is used principally as a dairy 
farm, having about forty head of cattle. He 
milks, on the average, twenty cows and makes a 
hundred pounds of butter a week. Mrs. Ormsby 
was born at Fort Walla Walla, Oregon, daugh- 
ter of David A. Sackett, one of the early 
pioneers of the county. Her fathtr first moved 
from Oregon to Yerka, Siskiyou County, Cali- 
fornia, and when she was about three years old 
he went to Marin County, and shortly after to 
Petaluina. Mr. Sackett was postmaster of Pet- 
aluma for eight years, and in 1875 moved to 
Calistoga, Napa County, and from there to 
Hayden Hill, Lassen County; then back to 
Napa County, thence to Alameda County, where 
lie now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Ormsb}- have 
four children: Julia Belle, born November 1, 
1872; Ernest Walter, born May 11, 1876; Ella 
Norean, born March 8, 1878; and Edna Gene- 
vieve, born September 25, 1887. 



fR. EUGENE M. COOPER.— Among the 
native sons of Sonoma County, and the 
promising young business men of Santa 
Rosa, perhaps none are better known than Dr. 
Cooper. He was born in August, 1860, five 
miles south of Santa Rosa, and is the eldest 
child and only son of three children of S. R. 
Cooper. After having studied the profession 
of dentistry with Dr. Savage in Santa Ros^, he 
opened an office in 1885, in Visalia, Tulare 
County, and practiced there with good success 
until January 1, 1888. On account of his own 
and his wife's healtii, and owing to the failing 



health of his fatlier, S. R. Cooper, of this city, 
he moved to Santa Rosa and opened an office in 
the latter part of January, 1888, in the RendaJl 
Block, corner of B and Fourth streets. He 
makes a specialty of operative dentistry, but 
does all classes of work. Mrs. Cooper is a 
native of Boston, Massachusetts, of Scotch par- 
entage, and has lived in California since her 
early girlhood. Her maiden name was Stuart. 



K. CADY, proprietor of the town of 
Agua Caliente and of the Agna Cal- 
^..,,^-~ ^ iente Springs Hotel, was born in New 
London, Connecticut, June 23, 1846, son of M. 
K. Cady and Sarah (Holt) Cady. His school 
days were ended at the Collegiate Institute, 
New Haven, Connecticut, at the age of eighteen 
years. At that age he encountered life for 
himself. Coming to Calitornia via the Isthmus 
of Panama, in 18G5, he spent the following two 
years in mining at White Pine and other points 
in Nevada. He later spent ses'eral years in 
active business in Marysville, this State, there 
being the junior member of the firm of Cooley 
& Cady, extensive dealers in general hardware, 
agricultural and mining machinery, etc. Mr. 
Cady sold his interest and accepted, in 1874, 
the position of chief adjuster in the United 
States mint at San Francisco, later being pro- 
moted to the position of assistant coiner and 
acting chief coiner. In 1881 he resigned his 
position and made his home upon the property 
he now owns, which he had bought the previ- 
ous year. This fine estate consists of 430 acres, 
100 acres of which are devoted to wine culture, 
and many acres to apples, oranges, oli-ves and 
other fruit. A winery having a capacity for 
the manufacture and storage of 100,000 gallons, 
and a distillery attached for the making of 
brandy, are among the improvements noticed. 
This property includes both valley and foot- 
hills, giving wild and secluded nooks and again 
sightly elevations almost without number. Five 
mineral springs form part of the natural attrac- 



UlSTURY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



tioiis of the favored place, hi 1886 Mr. Cady 
opened to the pulilie liis now well and favorably 
known resort. The sairie year he platted the 
town of Agna Caliente. It is already a place of 
no .small importance. The magnificent hotel is 
provided witli gas and electric hells. Telephone 
communication is had with San Francisco. Its 
railroad advantages, situated as the town is, 
half way between Sonoma and Glen Ellen, and 
on the line both of the Sonoma Valley and the 
Santa Rosa & Carquinez Railroads, are all that 
could be desired. The locality is a land of 
promise for the sportsman, the hills furnishing 
an abundance of game, and the streams are wel 
stocked with that gamiest of all fish, the speck- 
led trout. The hotel itself has a history well 
worth recording. The south wing, 30x60 
feet, though looking on both the out and inside 
like a modern building, is a solid adobe strnot- 
nre, two stories in height, which was opened 
as a hotel, with a sign svviiiging to the breeze, 
in 1846. The landlord w-as one of the many 
retainers of General Vallejo, and if the ancient 
walls could speak they might tell the story of 
many a gay fandango which has taken place 
upon these premises. The old structure, -strong 
as if new, forms now the greater part of the 
south wing of Mr. Cady's stately resort. It is 
believed that it was the first hotel building ad- 
vertised as such to the traveler in the State of 
California. General Hooker, who owned the 
ranch adjoining on the north and separated by 
a rail fence erected by him, which still stands, 
lived many years in this building, and left it to 
enter the Army of the Potomac. The old build- 
ing has many historic incidents connected with 
its history. At different times it has sheltered 
General Sherman, General Grant, Stoneman, 
Phil Kearney, and many others who have since 
become famous in history. Had we space, 
much of interest connected with the immediate 
surroundings of the home of Mr. Cady could be 
given. We mention, however, that the unfor- 
tunate General Stone, by man}' held responsible 
for the disaster at Ijalls Bluff, which resulted in 
the death of our gallant General Baker in 1861, 

27 



and who was afterward '-Pasha" Stone of the 
Egyptian army, and who died a lew years ago 
in that counti'v, owned and occupied a rancii a 
n)ile north of Agua (Jaliente long before the 
war. Mr. Cady married at his present home, 
in 1885, Gail Freebern, who was born in Wis- 
consin and reared in Iowa. They have one 
child, a sweet little daughter bearing her moth- 
er's name. At the general election of 188S 
Mr. Cady was elected supervisor in the first 
district of Sonoma County, by a vote compli- 
nientai-y and flattering to hinj. To him belongs 
the distinction of being the tirst Republican 
elected in the district, and of having by his 
election for the first time given to the county a 
Republican board of supervisors. He is a 
member of Corinthian Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 
9, Marysville, and of several other orders. 



fOIIN KING. — Dennis King, a farmer of 
AVashington County, New York, came 
from Ireland to Montreal, Canada, about 
the year 1823, being one of a i)arty of seven 
young Irishmen who started out to seek their 
fortunes in the New "World, nor did they tarry 
long on the Canadian border, but crossed to 
Whitehall, New York, where Dennis found em- 
ployment as a farm hand, being the first Irish- 
man ever seen in that localitj^. Seven years 
later he married Johanna Regan, a native of 
Cork, Ireland. John King, the oldest son of 
this union, was born in the little town of Gran- 
ville, northern New York, in July, 1833. Plere 
he lived on his father's farm, and by attending 
the country schools during the winter season, 
acquired such rudimentary education as might 
be obtained under such circumstances. In 1854 
having arrived at man's estate and feeling the 
necessity for a wider field in life, he, in company 
with three other young men of Whitehall, 
started for California, the golden field of ])rom- 
ise to so many. They came via Panama and 
landed at San Francisco on the 22d of April, 
1854, going directly from there to Sacramento, 



IIISTOUY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



wliere the}' Irid jiromise i>t' einpolyinent by tlie 
"Water Company. In tlii.s, liowever, tliey were 
disappointed, and tliey at once set ont on foot 
for Aubnrn, Placer County, at tliat time the 
scene ot active mining opei'ations. His tirst 
work in mining was done at New Castle at 81 
per (h\y. For two years he followed that occu- 
pation, and for two years more was interested in 
mining and ranching, going first to Nevada 
County, locating at Orleans Flat in 1858, then 
to Eureka in 1860. In 1862 he removed to 
Austin, Lander County, Nevada, 180 miles east 
of Virginia City, buying property there and 
building. This was during the silver mining 
e.\citement of 1862 and 186-4 In the spring 
of 1866 he came overland to Sacramento by 
•wagon (at tliat time the only mode of convey- 
ance), thence to San Francisco by steamer and 
ou to Los Angeles, his object being the pur- 
chase uf stock. He bought the famous "John 
Temiile" brand of horses and, having collected 
1,100 head, left Los Angeles County in May, 
1866, driving the herd across the country to 
Nevada, arriving there in February, 1867. The 
following June he secured a government escort 
against the Platte Elver Indians and drove the 
whole herd across the Rocky Mountains to 
Omaha, where they were sold. In the winter 
of 1870 he purchased 6,000 head of sheep in 
Monterey County, and with five men and two 
dogs drove them to Lander County, Nevada, 
being tliree months on the road. In 1871 Mr. 
King married Miss Anna M. Clark, daughter of 
R. N. Clark, Esq., of Austin, Nevada, and con- 
tinued to make that place his home until 1881, 
when, wearying of the labors of so active a life, 
he disposed of his various interests in Nevada 
and came to Sonoma County. In June, 1883, 
he purchased 1,080 acres of the Lyttou Springs 
property, lying between the Russian River and 
the Dry Creek Valley, and there engaged in 
vine-growing and farming. In 1884 he bought 
the Boggie property, north of Ilealdsburg, a 
beautiful building site on the west side of John- 
son street, where his family residence was 
erected in 1885, and where with his family, con- 



sisting of three daughters and four sons, he 
resides, enjoying the leisuie wliich comes after 
a well-spent life, and being respected and 
honored by the community. 



fEREMIAII RIDGAVAY,deceased.-Among 
the men who settled at Santa Rosa during 
its early liistory and became pioneers of 
Sonoma County, few were better or more 
widely known than the subject of tliis sketch. 
He brought a large capital to the new country, 
and early became interested in its development 
and prosperity. Mr. Ridjway was born at 
Tuckerton, New Jersey, in 1804, of one of 
t'le old Quaker families of that State, the fam- 
ily being of English origin. In his yonth and 
early manhood he followed a sea-faring life, pass- 
ing through all the grades from a cabin boy to 
a master of a merchant vessel. In the prime 
of manhood he wedded, in New York City, Miss 
Sarah Ann Ridgway, a lady who, though bear- 
ing the same name, W'as from a family tracing 
no relationship. After his marriage Mr. Ridg- 
way became a merchant at Tuckerton, and a few 
years later he engaged in farming near Philadel- 
phia, afterward moving westward he engaged 
in general merchandising at La Porte, Indiana 
a business which he successfully followed for a 
number of years. Finally determining to make 
the Pacific coast his future home, he, in the 
spring of 1854, joined at St. Joseph, Missouri, 
an overland train destined for this State. From 
the autumn of that year until the spring of 
1857 he resided at Sacramento. He then came 
to Santa Rosa and purchased 160 acres, one of 
the most desirable tracts of land in the neigh- 
borhood, situated on what is now Mendocino 
street, adjoining the city plat on the north, in 
fact the family Residence and fift}- acres of the 
homestead are included now in the plat of the 
city. Mr. Ridgway, investing his means in 
productive property, became one of the wealthy 
men of Northern California. The great be- 
reavement of his life was the death of his wife. 




r rjvDi^EKT Ci 



^oAn J^um^i4. 



UlSTOUr OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



439 



in September, 1869, at the age of sixty-two 
years. Slie was the mother of tiiree children, 
viz.: Judith, Jeremiah, and Joseph, of whom 
the first and last mentioned reside upon the 
homestead, Jeremiah having tiie last few years 
had liis home in the East. Mr. Ridgway, thougii 
over thirty j'ears a resident of California, had 
still large interests in the East. In fact, 'tis 
said that his investments in real estate were 
always judiciously made, and never changed. In 
May, 1884, he left his home on business con- 
nected with his interests in the East, destined 
never to return alive. He died at La Porte, In- 
diana, in February, 1885. His remains were 
brought home for burial. Thus, une by one, 
the pioneers are passing away. 

^ »e^. r^.p^-^r^ , ^^ 



fOHN ADAMS. — There is no man iu So- 
lioma County better or more widely known, 
particularly in agricultural and horticult- 
ural circles, than John Adams of Santa Kosa. 
A sketch of his life is of more than passing 
interest in a history of the county to which he 
has devoted the best part of his life in building 
up; briefly stated it is as follows: Mr. Adams 
was born in Jackson County, Missouri, July 31, 
1827. His father, Lynchburg Adams, was born 
in Lynchburg, Virginia, and emigrated to Mis- 
souri in 1818. His mother is a native of Mis- 
souri, and was born at Boone's Fort in Boone 
County. Mr. Adams is descended from the 
pioneer element of the great West. He was 
reared in pioneer settlements and early in life 
was inured to the hardships and practical labors 
of pioneer farming and stock-raising. He was 
engaged in farm labor ujjon his father's farm 
until 1850. May 10 of that year, he started 
for California. He joined Michael T. McClel- 
lau and worked his passage across the plains by 
driving an o.x team. After months of toil and 
hardship, unavuidable upon such a journey, he 
arrived at Sacramento, October 1 of that year. 
There he was taken with the cholera, suffering 
from an illness that lasted until midwinter. In 



the fall of 1850 he went to Shasta and engaged 
for a short time in mining. Afterward he pro- 
ceeded to liush Creek, where he followed the 
same occupation until August of the same 
year. At that time the Indians became trouble- 
some and he was compelled to abandon his min- 
ing prospects. He then came to Sonoma County 
and engaged in farm labor for James Hud- 
speth, on land now occupied by AV. S. M. 
Wright, about one mile and a half west of Santa 
Rosa. In the fall of 1852 he proceeded by steamer 
route to New Orleans, and from thence I'eturned 
to his old home in Missouri. The next spring 
he went through Southern Missouri and Ar- 
kansas, purchasing cattle. After securing 175 
fineniilch Cows, he started his herd across the 
plains. He was successful in this enterprise 
and arrived with his stock iu Sonoma ('ounty in 
the fall of 1853. He then located his herd on 
lands west of Santa Rosa, where he remained 
until February, 1855, when he took his cattle 
into the mountains at the head of Mark West 
Creek, northeast of Santa Rosa. Not suited 
with his hication, in the fall of that year he left 
the mountains and settled about one and a half 
miles northwest of Santa Rosa, in what is now 
the Lewis school disti-ict, on Adams Lane. 
There he purchased a squatter's right for 160 
acres of laud and established himself as a gen- 
eral farmer and stock-grower. Mr. Adams 
was one of the first to recognize the adapta- 
bility of the soil of Santa Rosa Valley for 
fruit culture, and was the pioneer fruit grower 
of the section in which he resides. As early as 
1856 he procured grafts from Oregon and 
planted an orchard upon his lands, and he has 
also planted a vineyard of Atission grapes. Mr. 
Adams increased his land holdings to about 
350 acres, making extensive and substantial 
improvements in buildings, etc. In 1860 he 
built a substantial and commodious residence, 
around which he planted a large variety of shade 
trees that have added greatly to the beauty and 
comfort of his pleasant home. In the past few 
years he has sold portions of his land until his 
farm now (1888) contains 236 acres. Tuese 



iiisTony o^' hONoMA county. 



lands are in a high state of cultivation and are 
vcrj productive. Among his improvements is 
a perfect system of drainage, easily controlled 
and applicable to his farm. His fruit cultiva- 
tion includes twenty-five acres of orchard, con- 
taining a large variety of fruits, among which 
are apples, peais, plums, peaches, French prunes, 
cherries, tigs, almonds and walnuts; also afam- 
ily vineyard in which he has wine and table 
grapes of the most approved varieties. The 
rest of his land is devoted to hay, grain and 
stock-raising. Among his stock are some thor- 
oughbred Jersey cattle and line specimens of 
draft horses, improved by Norman stock. The 
sul)ject of this sketch is a strong believer in the 
glorious future that awaits the agricultural and 
horticultural indnstries of Sonoma County. 
Despite the progress already made and success 
achieved in these industries, he deems them but 
still in their infancy. Public spirited, energetic, 
and progressive, he has been in the front rank 
and taken a lead in all enterprises that have 
tended to advance the interests and build up 
Sonoma County. He was one of the originators 
of the system of county exhibits in the fairs 
and various cities of the United States, whereby 
the wonderful productions of Sonoma County 
have been displayed throughout the country. He 
is a member of Santa Rosa (t range, Iso. 17, 
Patrons of Husbandry, of which he was form- 
erly the master. He is also the master of the 
Pomona Grange. Taking a deep interest in the 
public schools, he has for over twenty-five years 
served as a school trustee in his district. He is 
a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
church, a strong believer in churches and the 
inlluence which they exert in improving the 
welfare and morals cf the community, and he 
has always contributed liberally toward the 
building of churches — without regard to de- 
nomination — as well as for other public build- 
ings. In political matters Mr. Adams is 
associated with the Democratic party, and 
though not an office seeker, he has always 
taken an intelligent interest in all political 
questions of the day. His influence has always 



been exerted to advance the best elements of his 
party. In 1852 Mr. Adams was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Holly D. R. Hudspeth, the 
daughter of Charhs M. and Nancy (Draper) 
Hudspeth. Iler parents were natives of Ten- 
nessee, and pioneers of California and Sonoma 
County, having settled in the county in 1849. 
From this marriage there have been born 
eleven children, nine of whom are living, viz.: 
Lynchburg, who married Miss Ellen Hill, liv- 
ing in Santa Rosa; John H., married Miss 
Mattie Dunkley, residing near Occidental; Rob- 
ert Lee, Albert Sidney, Charles Edward, Press 
8., Bettie, Susie and Mattie. The second child, 
James Buchanan, died August 18, 1878, at the 
age of twenty-one years. The third, William 
Carroll, died in 1862, when two and a half 
years of age. 



^ON. G. R. CODDING.— The subject of 
fffn tlii* sketch was born in Bristol, Ontario 
County, New York, June 14, 1826, and is 
of the old Puritan stock. Here he received his 
education and remained until the year 1846, 
when he proceeded to Will County, Illinois, and 
embarked in the nursery business, which he fol- 
lowed until April 1, 1849. The reported fabu- 
lous discoveries of gold in California prompted 
him to make the then dangerous and tedious trip 
to the Pacific across the plains. Arriving at the 
Platte River he constructed from cottonwood a 
number of boats and engaged in ferrying for four 
weeks. There was a large travel over this route 
at this time, and Mr. Codding was kept busy day 
and night During these four weeks he ferried 
500 emigrant wagons, including the noted train 
from Missouri led by Colonel Pope, consisting of 
fifty wagon s and 250 emigrants. From this poin 
on he traveled with a pack-horse via Salt Lake 
City, where he arrived on the 24th of July. As 
Mr. Codding had been reared in a Christian land, 
and been taught from childhood up to regard 
the Sabbath day according to the strict letter of 
the law, he thought it as much his duty to re- 



U[t.roRY UF SON(J)rA VUUNTY. 



spect the Holy Writ upon tlie wild and track- 
less plains as when traveling in his native land. 
During the first week he was with other 
traveling companions, but as soon as Sunday 
morning dawned he was deserted, as lie always 
rested on the Sabbath day. The consequence 
was that he made most of the journey alone, 
his only companion being his faithful horse. 
However slow his progress seemed, he succeeded 
in reaching Sacramento City far in advance of 
nearly all of those with whom lie traveled while 
making the journe}'. He arrived in Sacramento 
September 21, 1849, where he remained one 
week. Sacramento at that time though a trad- 
ing post of considerable importance, was so new 
that the grass had hardly been trodden in its 
principal streets. There were no churciies, and 
the name of God was only heard in profanity; 
gorgeous saloons were opened to allure the un 
wary, and spirituous liquors flowed like water. 
Here Mr. Codding resolved anew to adhere to 
the pledge taken in his youth wliich yet he had 
never broken, to abstain from the use of intoxi- 
cating drink. To this resolve he attributed the 
fact that, althougii not of a strong constitution, 
he outlived many of his friends and ac(juaint- 
ances, who have fallen through the too frequent 
use of into.xicating liquors. After a week's stay 
in Sacramento, Mr. Codding, in company with 
others, proceeded to Napa City for the purpose 
of establishing a shingle factory, but after giv- 
ing the matter a thorough canvass they con- 
cluded that the scheme was impracticable, and 
abandoned the idea. Late in the fall of 1849 
we find Mr. Codding at Redding, Shasta County, 
prospecting in mining. Here he was taken ill 
and was obliged to abandon his pursuit for the 
glittering metal and, in company with Mr. 
Bowles, of Galena, Illinois, found his way to 
Sonoma City. In the fall of 185-t he settled in 
Petaluma Valley and engaged in the nursery 
business until 1860, when he became a resident 
of Petaluma. Here he opened the news and ex- 
change business. In 1868 Mr. (,'odding was 
led to the investigation of the then prevalent 
system of life insurance, his investigation being 



stimulated at that time by the loss in one of 
these companies of .^700. In studying the 
workings of these institutions, he became con- 
vinced that too many of them were merely 
concocted schemes to mislead the nnvvary, and 
to fleece the pockets of the unsuspecting for the 
benefit of the companies and their agents, and 
that too often these companies became mere con- 
fidence men, under the guise of life insurance. 
These convictions led his practical mind to de- 
vise some system that should carry with it thu 
benefits derived from life insurance and avoid 
the expense and uncertainty attending the latter. 
After comparing the ditterent systems of 
co-operative associations, he perfected the plan 
and organized the Sonoma and Marin Mutual 
Benefit Association in 1868, which association 
distributed before its disbandment over half a 
million dollars in lienefits. After it passed out 
of his management it fell into the hands of 
parties who did not understand the principles of 
insurance thoroughly, and as a consequence it 
declined in numbers and influence and finally 
disbanded. In 1870 ho organized the Mutual 
Relief Association of Petaluma, of which insti- 
tution he was the continuous secretary and busi- 
ness manager until the time of his death in 
1884, carrying it upward until it now has 
assets of over $100,000 and has paid dividends 
of over $60,000. Tiie history of these associa- 
tions will appear in their proper place in this 
volume. These associations, with others that 
soon followed, were so vigorously attacked by 
those interested in life insurance companies, 
that adverse laws were attempted to be enacted 
through the powerful influence of the wealth of 
these incor])o rations. This aroused Mr. Cod- 
ding again to the necessity of protecting these 
societies that he had labored so arduously to 
build up, and accordingly in 1873 he was instru- 
mental in getting an act passed by the California 
Legislature especially for the protection of these 
associations. As a consequence, the system of 
co-operative protective societies has become a 
protection now much sought after by those de- 
pending uj)on life insurance. In 187() Af.i. 



UISrOHY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Codding organized the Real Estate Association 
of Petaiuma, being its secretary until his death. 
It was a stock company with a capital of 
850,000, organized for the purpose of buying 
and selling real estate, building houses, making 
loans, etc. It has done very much for Petaiuma 
in the way of making its advantages known, 
building it up, introducing capital, etc. It is 
still actively engaged in business under the 
management of its secretary, Mr. George C. 
Codding, the eldest son of the late Mr. George 
R. Codding, and who seems to have inherited 
his father's talent and ability as a manager and 
successful promoter of public enterprises. The 
Pacific Benefit Association was organized in 
1880, under the direction and management of 
both George R. Codding and George C. Cod- 
ding, who have continued its secretary and man- 
ager. Since then it has paid benefits of over 
$100,000, extending its business over the 
Pacific slope. Its active and careful manage- 
ment is giving it a very prosperous career, and 
under its charter, members are secured by ample 
and suflicient guarantees. This association is 
considered an advance upon the ordinary 
methods of co-operative associations in the 
matter of graded assessments and other regards. 
It is founded upon the better and more siTCcess- 
ful principles of the associations which have 
preceded it, and was instituted after the life 
study and experience of George R. Codding — a 
life spent in the successful management of 
these associations. On June 28, 1865, George 
R. Codding was married to Miss Millie M. 
Colby, a native of Vermont. There are six of 
their children living, as follows: George C. 
Codding was born at Petaiuma, Marcii 24, 1866, 
was educated in the same town and upon his 
father's death in 1884, was compelled to leave 
school and enter actively into business in con- 
nection with the companies. Mi'- Codding has 
been appointed special agent for Sonoma 
County, for the California Insurance Company 
of San Francisco, and as such he has established 
sub-agencies throughout Sonoma County, and 
carries on a general business in real estate and 



insurance. The other members of the family 
are Charles R. Codding, an electrician, now in 
San Francisco, and the younger children, two 
boys and two girls, who are attending school. 
One of the most noteworthy of the elegant resi- 
dences in Petaiuma is the newly constructed home 
of this family on Sixth street. It is a handsome 
modern construction, showing itself the home 
of comfort and taste in its handsome proportions 
and trim surroundings. 



fS. FARQUAR, another member of the 
Sonoma County bar, is a native of North 
* Liberty, Ohio, born December 20, 1848. 
He was educated at Monmouth College, Illi- 
nois, from which he received a diploma in the 
class of '73. During the years 1873-'74 he 
held the position of instructor in languages 
and mathematics at Sniithson College of Logans- 
port, Indiana. In the spring of 1875 he came 
to California, and taught in the public sciiools 
of San Francisco and Sonoma County for two 
years. Mr. Farquar subsequently commenced 
the study of law and was admitted to practice 
by the Supreme Court in 1878. He entered 
into a partnership with W. B. Haskell, Esq., of 
Petaiuma, and continued the practice of his 
profession with the firm until 1882. Mr. Far- 
quar then removed to Globe, Arizona, where he 
remained until the fall of 1884, at which time 
he returned to California, and was the Republi- 
can nominee for district attorney in 1886. Be- 
ing defeated, lie resumed the practice of law, 
locating at Santa Rosa, where he has since re- 
sided. 



['. IXK, Cloverdale. — Among the rep- 
resentative citizens of northern So- 
noma County is the gentleman with 
whose name this sketch commences. He is a 
native of Tompkins County, New York, born 
■laiinary 22, 1819, his parents being George and 



U I STORY OF SONOMA (JOUNTY. 



Mary (Rose) Ink, the former born in New Jer- 
sey and the latter in New York State. Mr. Ink 
was reared in his native county, and when lie 
was twenty-one years of age removed to Ohio, 
locating in what is now Morrow County. He 
taught school parts of fifteen years, and was 
elected and served as justice of the peace at the 
county seat, lie took an active interest in the 
events whicii led up to the America Civil war, 
and when that struggle came on his sympathies 
were entirely with the Union cause. When he 
became satisfied that the war was to be a test of 
strength and endurance between the hosts of the 
contending sections, he decided to offer his serv- 
ices in his country's cause he went to Colum- 
bus, enlisted in the United States service, and 
went into camp at Camp Chase. The Eighty- 
fifth Ohio Regiment was then being made up 
and he was made a Sergeant. His health, never 
robust, gave way entirely under the strain of 
camp life, and when the command left for the 
seat of war, he was not permitted to accompany 
it. No improvement taking place, lie was 
honorably discharged in September, 1862, and 
in October following he came out to California 
for the purpose of recuperating his health and 
strength. His journey was made by the steamer 
America on the Atlantic side, then via Nicara- 
gua, and on the steamer Hoses Taylor to San 
Francisco, where he arrived January 1, 1863. 
After spending a brief time in San Francisco 
and Marin County, he went to Sutter County 
and engaged in stock business and dairying near 
Yuba City, and while there was elected and 
served as justice of the peace. In 1875 he 
came to Sonoma County, and in 1878 located at 
Cloverdale. He has a ranch of 3,000 acres two 
miles from the town, where he is extensively 
engaged in sheep raising, usually keeping from 
1,500 to 2,500 sheep on the range. He is prob- 
ably the largest wool grower in Sonoma Countv, 
and his animals are all high grade Merinos. 
Mr. Ink is a Republican politically, and is one of 
the leading men in the councils of the pai'ty in 
the county, usually having a place on the central 
committee. He is a Kniglif Tomjilar in flic 



Masonic order, having passed through all the 
chairs of Santa Rosa Lodge. He holds member- 
ship in the (Jdd Fellows lodge at Yuba City, 
in which he has passed all the chairs. Mr. Ink 
was married in New York State to Miss Hannah 
Herald, a native of Seneca County, New York. 
Both are members of the Presbyterian chiircii. 



ISfSkENRY WEYL. — Among the representa- 
llil)! '■'^'^ '*'^*'' progressive business men of So- 
"^(| noma must be classed the above named 
gentleman. A sketch of his life and association 
with the business enterprises of Sonoma are of 
interest. Mr. Weyl was born in Bingen on the 
Rhine, Germany, May 29, 1834. His parents, 
Henry and Anna (Beck) Weyl, were natives of 
that place. There Mr. Weyl was reared and re- 
ceived his education, being brought up as a 
cooper and distiller, the occupation of his father. 
Being ambitious and desirous of seeing some- 
thing of the world, in 1854 he left his native 
land and embarked for the United States. Upon 
his arrival in New York he worked at Iiis trade 
as a cooper in that city and in Williamsburg, 
until 1855. In that year he shipped on the 
bark Saj>j)ho, Captain Seaburg commanding, 
for a whaling voyage to the North Pacific and 
other places. Mr. Weyl remained in that em- 
ploy until 1859 when the bark returned to New 
Bedford, her home port, after which he went on 
board the ship Cotiyress, Captain Swift com- 
manding, for a whaling voyage around Cape 
Horn to the Pacific Ocean. Upon the arrival 
of his shi]) at Calleo, he left the vessel and en- 
gaged in work as a cooper. Being of an ingeni- 
ous mind and skilled in various trades, he was 
also employed as a blacksmith and carpenter. 
After some months spent in labor in Calleo he 
proceeded to (Tuayaquil, where he was engaged 
as a carpenter and stair builder. From Guaya- 
quil he went to Panama, and in the absence of 
other employment, engaged as a butcher on the 
steamer Sonora. This steamer was one of the 
Pacific mail vessels, ■ bound to San Francisco, 



JI/STOliV OF SUSOMA COUNTY. 



where she arrived December 14, 1860. Upon 
his hmding in San Francisco Mr. Wejl sought 
work at his trade as a cooper and worked for P. 
Malloy until 1862. lie was then engaged by 
Mr. Henry Gerke as a superintendent and man- 
ager in the manufacture of wine and brandies 
upon liis ranch in Tehama County. He was 
thus employed until the fall of that year when 
ill health compelled him to abandon that occupa- 
tion, and he returned to San Francisco. Upon 
recovei'ing his health he again engaged in work 
at his trade, which lie continued until 1867, 
when he came to Sonoma County and located at 
Sonoma where he established a cooper shop. He 
successfully conducted this business, and as his 
capital increased, established a winery and lum- 
ber yard. These enterprises were successfully 
Conducted until 1877. He then went to Peta- 
luma and established a wholesale wine and liquor 
house. This business he conducted in connec- 
tion with his winery at Sonoma until 1879, 
when he I'eturned to Sonoma and the next year 
commenced extensive building improvements 
upon his land, which is situated on the northwest 
corner of the plaz«>. He erected a large two- 
story -building, containing three storerooms on 
the first floor and a hall in the upper story. He 
also completed a tine two-story residence, and 
in the same year added to his business enter- 
prises by opening a butcher shop and market in 
connection with Herman Nanert. This partner- 
ship existed for about a year, when Mr. Weyl 
bought out the interest of his partner and con- 
ducted the business alone. In 1884 he opened 
a general merchandise store in his block, a busi- 
ness which he is now (1888) conducting. Mr. 
Weyl, in addition to his real estate in Sonoma, 
also owns 100 acres of farming lands two miles 
north of Sonoma. This land is used principally 
for stock purposes, but tifty acres of it are well 
adapted to vineyard or orchard purposes. Upon 
this place he is engaged in <|uarrying basalt rock 
for paving purposes, which finds ready sale in 
San Francisco. There are two fine quarries of 
that rock upon the place, one of which he leases. 
He pays considerable attention to stock-raising 



and has some fine Holstein and Jersey cattle, 
and draft horses of the Norman and Cl^'desdale 
breed, also roadsters of Patchen stuck. Mr. 
Weyl is one of Sonoma's most progressive and 
public spirited citizens. .-V strong believer in 
the future wealth and prosperity of the beauti- 
ful Sonoma Valley, he is always ready with time 
and money to aid and encourage any enterprise 
that will build up and develop its wonderful re- 
sources. A residence of over twenty years in 
Sonoma has made him well known, and his 
straightforward and consistent mode of life and 
manner of dealing with his fellow men liave 
gained him hosts of friends. In 1886 and 1887 
he was a member of the City Board of Trustees 
and has also served for several years as school 
trustee in his district. He is a member of 
Temple Lodge, Xo. 14, F. & A. M., of Sonoma. 
In politics, Mr. Weyl is a consistent Republican, 
taking an intelligent interest in all the political 
questions of the day. December 18, 1869, Mr. 
Weyl was united in marriage with Miss Mary 
Knackstadt, the daughter of Henry and Amelia 
Knackstadt, natives of Germany, but residents 
of Sonoma County. From this marriage there 
are seven children living: Henry J., Anna, 
Gustavo, William, Frank, Clara, and Albert J. 



mm 



fOSEPIl H. HUNT, proprietor of the Santa 
Rosa Alden Fruit Evaporators, is a native 
son of the Golden AYest, born in Sierra 
County, California, in 1864. His father, W. 
J. Hunt, came to this State in 1861 from Mis- 
souri, and settled in that county. In 1870 he 
moved with liis family to Green Valley, Sonoma 
County, where he still' resides. He built an 
Alden dryer in connection with his orchard in 
1876, being the pioneer in fruit drying in that 
part of the county. The subject of this sketch 
having thus been trained in the business from 
boyhood, is thoroughly conversant with handling 
and preserving fruits, in which he is now so ex- 
tensively and successfully engaged. In the 
spring of 1887 he built the Santa Rosa Dryer, 



UIsrOUY OF .SONOMA COUNTT. 



445 



near tlie bridge wliicli spans Santa Rosa Creek, 
in the southwestern part of the city, putting in 
the process known as the Improved Alden 
Dryer, of large size. His buildings, machinery 
and appurtenances are of tlie latest improved 
patterns and are best adapted both for conven- 
ience and the perfection of the work, as the 
results deinon^strate. The lirst season his man- 
ufactory was in operation, Mr. Hunt dried 
twenty- five tons of prunes, fifty tons of peaches, 
and 300 tons of apples, seventy-five per cent, of 
whicli ranked as first grade, and sold in the 
market at irom two to five cents per pound 
higlier than other machine dried fruits. The 
cause of this superiority of liis goods is readily 
understood by any one visiting his factory and 
observing the perfect order and cleanliness of 
the premises, and tlie extraordinary care exhib- 
ited in every stage of the work from the tirae 
the fruits are unloaded from tlie growers' wag- 
ons until the beautiful cured product is neatly 
boxed and labeled in packages for shipping. 
Mr. Hunt's dried fruits are doing much to build 
up a proud reputation for California dried fruits 
in Chicago, New York, and other great eastern 
markets where they are sold, as well as in the 
metropolis of this State, where many of them 
find a market. In the season of 1888 he cured 143 
tons of French prunes, besides other fruits, in 
the Santa Hosa Dryer, for which he paid the or- 
chardists from one to one and three-quarter 
cents per pound. lie is a joint owner, with his 
brother, of a dryer of equal capacity at Geyser- 
ville, which they built in 1888, and which 
manufactured about one-fourth as much the 
past season as the Santa Rosa dryer. Mr. Hunt 
is also interested with his brother in the 
Sebastopol Canneiy, in which they put up 1,500 
cases of fruit in 1888, and expect to increase 
their capacity as the trade demands. He and 
his brother have the largest blackberry ranch in 
California, if not in the world, near Sebastopol, 
from which they harvest forty tons of berries a 
year, worth from $60 to $70 per ton. The 
average yield is three tons to the acre. For the 
past two seasons Mr. Hunt has bought and 



shipped to eastern markets large quantities, ag- 
gregating many tliousand boxes eacli year, of 
choice, fresh ]Mcked fruits, for which was re- 
ceived the highest prices both by the producer 
and the shipper. Mr. Hunt is held in high es- 
teem for his business integrity and honor, and 
is one of California's most energetic and prom- 
ising native sons. 

T-rflLLIAM HARVEY HAYNE was born 
wMM "' Greenville, Darke County, Ohio, 
l^-f^ April 8, 1837, son of Joseph and 
Mary (Riley) Hayne, the former a native of 
North Carolina and the latter of Virginia. 
Joseph Hayne moved from Ohio to Indiana in 
1838, and settled in a little town near Elkhart, 
where he resided a few years, engaged in mer- 
cantile trade. From there he moved to Daven- 
port, Iowa, remaining there a short time, thence 
to the Des Moines River to a little town called 
Charlestown, where he taught school for one 
winter; thence to lowaville on the river, where 
he again went into the mercantile business and 
also did some trading with the Indians. He 
made his home there for two or three years, 
when he went farther up the Des Moines River 
and took up a government claim, living on it 
nearly a year, then going to Ottumwa. While 
there he received the appointment of sheriff of 
Wapello County, Ottumwa being the county seat, 
and served in the difierent county offices for 
twenty-one or twenty --two years. His death 
occurred in July, 1881. Mrs. Hayne died Jan- 
uary 1, 1884. She was the mother of seven 
children, three sous and four daughters, of 
whom two daughters and the subject of this 
sketch are the only ones now living. W. H. 
Hayne lived with his parents until he became 
of age, receiving his education in the public 
schools of Iowa. In 1859 he came to (^alifornia, 
leaving Iowa on the 16th of May and making 
the journey overland with ox teams, arriving 
in Sonoma County on the 16th of Novem- 
ber. He engaged in farm work at different 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



places, and from 1861 to 1863 was in Nevada 
working on ranches. In 1865 lie went to farm- 
ing for himself, renting a piece of land near 
Strong Point, remaining there one year. He 
then rented land nearPetalnma where he stayed 
three years, after which he sold his stock and 
farming utensils and went back to Iowa, where 
he remained twenty-two months. Returning to 
California again he remained near Petaluma for 
a while, making more or less at farming, when 
in February, 1878, he purchased liis present 
place about two miles from Petaluma, on the 
Santa Rosa road, known as the " Chicken 
Rancho." He commenced dealing in poultry 
and eggs, buying and shipping in large ^|uan- 
tities, his principal market being San Francisco. 
This business has resulted very satisfactorily. 
Mr. Haj-ne has been an Odd Fellow for several 
years and is also a member of the Knights of 
Honor, a beneficial association. He was married 
in 1866 to Miss Ellen Gossage who was born in 
Iowa, daughter of Zephaiiair Gossage, and came 
^vith her parents to California when she was a 
small child. They have seven children: Mamie, 
Dallas, Joseph, Daisy, Adda, Laura and Clif- 
ford. 



€(i~ 



^'m 



L^a^, /^ 



'}lSr- ^e) 



tOBERT H. DELAFIELD.— One of the 
notable places of Sonoma County is the 
ranch of the young gentleman whose 
name heads this sketch. It is situated in a 
picturesque portion of Knight's Yalley, six 
miles from Calistoga, and is a portion of the 
old Mallacomes Rancho. In e.xtent it embraces 
540 acres, a large portion of which is still 
wooded land. When Mr. Delatield purchased 
the place, the hill land where he has planted his 
vineyard was covered with timber and under- 
brush. Though the latter was ]H-obably the 
greatest obstacle to clearing, yet the timber was 
not to be despised on account of its size: one 
tree had at its base a diameter of twenty-five 
feet. This hill-side now bears a vineyard which, 
for excellence of varieties of grapes and uni- 



! form thrift and healthy appearance of vines, 
certainly cannot be excelled in California. The 
results achieved here may truly be said to be 
remarkable. There are forty acres in this vine- 
yard, rising by regular ascent from a point 300 

J feet above the valley (the elevation of which is 

' 800 feet above the sea level) to a height of 1,350 
feet above the level of the sea. The views to 
be had from diflerent points at the summit of 

I the vineyard ridge are beautiful indeed. The 
varieties of grapes are especially worthy of 
mention. They are as follows: Cabernet Sau- 
vignon, making the Chateau Lafittewine; Mal- 
bee (variety de Bordeaux); Mataro (Burgun- 
dy); Semillon, Sauvignon Yert and Sau- 
vignon Blanc, making the Chateau Yquem 
wine; Grey Riesling (hock). Golden Chas- 
selas (light white wine), and Burger (Rhine 
wine). When these grapes are in full bearing 
Mr. Delafield will be enabled to make annually 
a large quantity of wine, which will be aged in 
his cellars before being placed on the market, 
and which can compete for patronage with the 
best imported wines. The vines were planted 
in 1885, and have shown a notable growth, the 

I stumps having sufficient body for a much 
greater age. The wine cellar is situated across 
the road from the vineyard land. It is a very 
substantial building, the walls of stone being 
two feet in thickness. It is three-stories in 
height, and covers an area of 40x60 feet. It 
was constructed in 1887. In addition a tunnel 
100 X 17 feet, excavated in 1888, and lined with 
stone, extends into the hill-side, greatly adding 
to the storage capacity. The latest and most 
improved machinery and apparatus is used in 
every department. The engine, of twenty horse- 
power, though only a third of that power is 
needed at present, was built in St. Helena. The 
boiler is twenty horse-power. It is splendidly 
set, having been placed in position, like every- 
thing about the place, under the personal super 
vision of Mr. Delafield. Cleanliness is the first 
consideration in the wine cellar at all times, and 
during the fermenting season when disorder 
might be expected a thorough cleaning is given 



IITSrORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



after every day's work. The average annual 
out-pat of the callar is about 100,000 gallons 
Mr. Delaiield also has thirty acres in fruit, 
planted in 1886. Of this acreage one-half is 
planted to the Kelsey Japan plums, which 
might better be described as a peach-apricot 
plum. This is an exceptionally fine variety, 
and the acreage exceeds that of any other 
orchard in the State. The plums have a fine, 
thin skin, yet they can be shipped without diffi- 
culty. The skin has a yellowish-white tinge, 
with pink blush on one side, the blush extend- 
ing from deep to very light on either side. 
They bear early, in fact producing "ome good 
fruit the first year. He has about ten aci"es of 
choice Beurre Clairgeau pears, besides Bartlett 
pears, French prunes, Muir peaches, Moorpark 
apricots, etc. The residence which is roomy 
and conveniently constructed, was finished by 
Mr. Delafield in 1884. It stands on the same 
side of the road as the vineyard, at an elevation 
of fifty feet above the level of the valley. The 
proprietor takes a pardonable pride, also, in his 
horses, which are JMorman and Yermont Mor- 
gan, and splendid specimens of their respective 
races. Mr. Robert H. Delafield, to whom these 
improvements mentioned are due, is a native of 
New York City. He received the advantages of 
an advanced education, beginning with a two 
year's course at Yevey, Switzerland, following 
with five years at St. Paul's, New Hampshire, 
and finishing at Harvard College. He entered 
into business in New York City, but in 1883 
came to California with the intention of engag- 
ing in the wine and fruit business. In order to 
familiarize himself with details he commenced 
at the bottom and went to work by the month, 
thus gaining an insight into the culture of fruit 
and grapes and the making of wine which could 
not have been otherwise obtained except at the 
useless sacrifice of much time and cajjital after 
he had commenced business for himself. As a 
result he has had to undo nothing that has once 
been done on his Knight's Yalley ranch, and 
every dollar invested gives promise of profitable 
return. Mr. Delafield's plan is to have the best 



of everything, and he thinks a poor article dear 
at any price. 



tON. A. P. WHITNEY.— In the annals of 
the city of Petaluma, a name that stands 
pre-eminent in the record of its progress 
and business prosperity is that of the late lion. 
Albion Paris Whitney, long the leading busi- 
ness man of the place. Mr. Whitney was born 
at Corinth, Penobscot County, Maine, on Sep- 
tember 15, 1825. In that place he resided un- 
til, at the age of fifteen, his parents, whose 
names were William and Olive Whitney, re- 
moved to the northern county of Aroostook. 
His education was obtained in the schools of the 
State, and his after knowledge gained from gen- 
eral reading as well as the great practical school 
of the woi-ld. At twenty he began the strug- 
gle of life, engaging, as was natural for a boy 
brought up in the pine regions of Maine, in 
the lumber and milling business. Until 1856 
he resided at "Fort Fairfield and Fort Kent, 
Aroostook County, pursuing those avocations, 
but in that year removed with his family to 
Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he I'emained for 
one year. He then removed to the new county 
of Meeker, in the same State, and laid out the 
now flourishing town of Kingston, erecting 
mills and engaging in the flouring and lumber- 
ing business, and also opening the first general 
mercantile business house in the town. He 
quickly built up a very extensive trade in this 
place, and so won the confidence and esteem of 
his fellow citizens that in 1858 he was elected 
by the Republicans and Douglas Democrats to 
the State Legislature to represent the district 
comprised in Meeker, Benton and Stearns coun- 
ties. Deciding to come to California he set out 
across the plains in 1859 arriving in Sacramento 
in August, fortunately without serious mishap. 
As he soon found that the idea that gold could 
be gathered in abundance was a false one, he 
went to a Placer mining town, and took con- 
tracts for furnishing mining timber, his skill in 



IIISTOUY OF tiONOMA VOUNTY. 



tliat work making success to him possible 
against competition. After three seasons at 
tliis work he came to Petaluma in the autumn 
of 1862 with about $3,000 capital; immediately 
engaging in the grocery business, at first in part- 
nership with Mr. (Jross, he soon built up a 
business of large and growing dimensions. At 
the time of his death, in 1884, it had long 
ranked as the most extensive in the county, a 
position that it still holds to-day under the 
hands of his son and successor, Mr. Arthur L. 
Whitney. This first establishment was situated 
where the Masonic temple now stands, immedi- 
ately opposite the present location of the house. 
Shortly after the groceiy business was estab- 
lished, the warehouse, commission and shipping 
business was added to the other. This depart- 
ment grew to one of very extensive dimensions, 
warehouses being built as occasion demanded 
until there were at the time of his death no less 
than nine. Several packets were necessary in 
the carrying trade from Petaluma to San Fran- 
cisco. The great success of this house is note- 
worthy as being a signal instance of what 
invariably follows upon energy, correct and hon- 
orable methods and the desire to do fairly and 
liberally by others. As a consequence of these 
things Mr. Whitney possessed to the fullest 
extent the confidence and esteem of the 
community. In whatever tended toward the de- 
velopment of the county or was of general bene- 
fit Mr. Whitney was always found taking a leading 
hand. From the first he was one of the most active 
supporters of the Sonoma and Marin District 
Agricultural Society, and for two years was its 
president. He was also one of the organizers 
and was heavily interested in the Petaluma Fruit 
Canning Company, and in an almost infinite 
number of other ways his assistance was given 
to the welfare of his chosen home. In politics 
Mr. Wliitney was always a staunch yet liberal 
Republican. In 1876 he was chosen as one of 
the delegates from California to the National 
Convention at Cincinnati that nominated Presi 
dent Hayes. In 1877 he v.as elected State 
Senator from Sonoma County, winning a seat 



which had formerly been uniformly Democratic. 
During the time he was in the Legislature lie 
was upon several important committees, and was 
a laborious and prominent member of the Senate. 
Mr. AVhitne^^ was a large-hearted man of gener- 
ous impulses, a careful and attentive business 
man yet ever ready to respond to the calls of 
duty in whatever direction. During his life he 
was one of Sonoma County's leading citizens, 
and the day of his death, February 11, 1884, 
was felt to be one of loss and sadness to all. 
Mr. Whitney was married on February 10, 1850, 
to Miss Susan D. Eastman, a native of Jackson, 
New Hampsliire. Seven of their children are 
living. Their names are as follows: Calvin 
Eastman, now in business in San Francisco and 
the head of the eminent house of C. E. Whit- 
ney & Co.; Arthur L., at the head of the busi- 
ness in Petaluma, and by following in his father's 
footsteps, is carrying tlie house to a still higher 
success; Cleora M., now the wife of Fred Hew- 
lett of the well known firm of Ross & Hewlett, 
San Francisco; Nancy J., now the wife of 
George P. Morrow, the head of the leading firm 
of George Morrow <t Co., San Francisco; Ella, 
Albion H. and Clara, all at home. The com- 
fortable homestead is situated at the corner of 
Sixth and F streets, Petaluma, where Mrs. 
Whitney resides, enjoying the evening of life 
surrounded by comfort and the attentions of 
her devoted children. The adjoining residence 
is the elegant home of her second son, Arthur 
L., who is married and possesses an interesting 
young family. Such, in brief, is a sketch of 
the life and family of one of Sonoma County's 
most deserving prominent citizens. 

'^■^■•^ 



I^ATHAN LA LITER & CO.— This firm 
fl™ opened business in the mercantile line in 
^ Healdsburg, August 1, 1888. At that 
time they put in a large stock of goods, embrac- 
ing dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes, gen- 
tlemen's furnishing goods, etc., and almost 
immediately a good trade sprang up. It was 



IIISTOHY OF SONOMA OOUNTV 



found lliat the best ofguoils in these lines could 
be pnrciiased at tliis phiee at city prices, and 
nuicli trade, which before went to San Francisco 
and Santa Rosa, was thus kept at home. It was 
thought by many that there was not room for 
another store of this Idnd in Ilealdsburg, but 
the keen business principles of Mr. Nathan 
Lauter soon proved that this was a mistaken 
idea, for his trade has constantly increased since 
he came here, and is now of large proportions. 
All this has been accomplished in a few months, 
and already tiie firm stands in the front rank of 
Healdsburg houses. This shows what courte- 
ous treatment and a desire to please the public 
in cpiality and prices of goods will do. Nathan 
Lauter, the young man who conducts this ex- 
tensive bi;siness, is a native of East Prussia, 
born November 27,1862, his parents being W. 
and R. Lauter. The family came to California 
in 1881, locating at St. Helena. Nathan Lau- 
ter received his education in his native country, 
and there commenced iiis business career. At 
St. Helena he was associated with the firm of 
A. Goodman & Co., dealers in drj' goods, cloth- 
ing, boots and shoes, etc. Mr. Lauter's parents 
reside at 529 Turk street, San Francisco. Na- 
than Lauter, having been reared to a business 
career since thirteen years of age, has had much 
more experience tiian most merchants many 
years his senior. It is seldom that so young a 
man is so successful in business. He is a 
member of the St. Helena Lodge, K. of P. 

■^•%-^r'l*-^ 

fNOCIl ^Y. IIAYDEN.— One of the most 
noticeable vineyard and oi'chard properties 
in Analy Township, is that owned by the 
gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He 
is the owner of and resides upon eighty-five 
acres of productive land, situated upon the 
Sebastopol and F\'taluma road, in the Sebastopol 
school district, about one mile south of Sebas- 
topol. Seventy-five acres of this land are de- 
voted to ondiard and vineyard, about equally 
divided. In his orchard may be found nearly 



all varieties of fruit grown in this section. The 
principal productions are peaches, apples, pears, 
apricots, French prunes, cherries and plums. 
Of the vineyai'd, thirty-five acres are devoted to 
wine grapes of the Zinfandel variety and about 
two acres to table grapes, comprising all the 
well known varieties grown in Sonoma County. 
The rest of the farm is pasture and woodland. 
The improvements are first-class, comprising a 
two-story residence, commodious and complete 
in all its appointments, suitable outbuildings, 
and a dry house in which there are two patent 
dryers of sufiicient capacity to dry and cui-e all 
products of his orchard. Mr. Hayden is a 
native of Penobscot County, Maine, and dates 
his birth from December 22, 1835. His father, 
Enoch Hayden, was a native of Maine, and his 
mother. Relief (Adams) Hayden, was born in 
Massachusetts. The suliject of this sketch was 
reared as a farmer, receiving at the same time a 
good academic education, and in his young 
manhood taught school in his native connty for 
one or two winters. He was also engaged in 
the lumber woods on the Penobscot River, 
where he became versed in the practical knowl- 
edge of the lumber business. In 1856 he went 
to Wisconsin and after working for some time 
in the lumber ■woods in connection with his 
brother, engaged in the lumber business near 
Stevens' Point, in Portage County, on the Wis- 
consin River. This business was successfully 
conducted until 1864. In that year Mr. Hay- 
den came across the plains to California, and 
after a tedious trip of six niontlis, located in 
Marin County, where he rented land on the De 
Long ranch. With his brother, Amazeah Hay- 
den, he engaged in the dairy business, their 
dairy being one of the largest in the county, and 
having from 150 to 300 cows. While there 
Mr. Hayden took a prominent part in all public 
enterprises and was well known throughout that 
section of the county. He was for six years 
postmaster at Black Point, Marin County. He 
also took a deep interest in the public schools, 
and for four years was school trustee of his 
district. In the fall of 1887 Mr. Hayden sold 



HISTORY OF SONOMA VOUyTV. 



out bis interests in Marin County and came to 
Sonoma Coimty. He then purchased his pres- 
ent residence and at once entered upon a career 
of orcliard and vineyard cultivation, bringing to 
his new calling the same business capacity and 
energetic habits that have heretofore insured 
him success in his various callings. It is safe 
to predict that Mr. Hayden will do much to up- 
hold the fruit and grape interests of the county. 
Although never seeking office he has always 
taken a deep interest in the political questions 
of the day, and is a strong and consistent Re- 
publican. He is a member of the Congrega- 
tional churcii. August 27, 1870, Mr. Hayden 
married Miss Kate i\ Johnson, daughter of 
Bartliolomew and Susan (Cioudman) Johnson, 
residents of Marin County, but natives of Maine. 
They have one child, Eva W., who is residing 
with her parents. 



fACOB HARRIS.— This well known pio- 
neer of Santa Rosa was born in Grayson 
County, Kentucky, August 24, 1827, son 
of Samuel and Phebe (Fulkerson) Harris, each 
of whom where born of families among the 
oldest in Kentucky. In 1828 the family moved 
to Vigo County, Indiana, and settled at Terre 
Haute. From thence, when Jacob Harris was 
in liis nineteenth year, they emigrated to Davis 
County, Iowa. There, in 1848, the subject of 
this sketch wedded Miss Phebe F«lkerson, 
daughter of Richard Fulkerson, whose history 
appears in this work. From Davis County Mr. 
and Mrs. Harris came to Santa Rosa, accom- 
panying Mrs. Harris' father and other members 
of the family in 1854. The journey was made 
overland without serious loss or delay. Since 
coming to Santa Rosa Mr. and Mrs. Harris, 
with the exception of from 1860 to 1863 spent 
in Sutter County, have resided near the city of 
Santa Rosa. Their present residence, which was 
built in 1882, is a little northeast of the city 
and is well located upon a gentle eminence, giv- 
ing a tine view of the city and surrounding 



country. Mr. Harris has erected a fine cottage 
home and has made many other improvements 
ou the place. The ranch consists of forty-six 
acres, thirty of which are devoted to table and 
wine grapes. Mr. and Mrs. Harris are the 
parents of five children: Thompson M., who 
lives near his parents; Isabel, wife of Richard 
Weatherington of Santa Rosa Township; Alice 
Clara, who died aged six years; Richard A., 
who is a near neighbor, and Florence, the 
youngest, still resides with her parents. The 
parents of Mr. Harris left Davis County, Iowa, 
and settled at the head of Rincon Valley in this 
county, in 1860, where they lived with their 
son-in-law, Josiah Downey. His father died in 
1864, and his mother, who survives, makes her 
home with the subject of this sketch. She is 
now (1888) ninety-three years of age and her 
physical and mental vigor are preserved to a 
remarkable degree. Mr. Harris is prominently 
associated with the Masonic order, being a mem- 
ber of the Santa Rosa, subordinate lodge, Santa 
Rosa chapter and commandery, and also of the 
Santa Rosa Lodge of Knights of Pythias. A 
thoroughly radical advocate of temperance, he 
is a member of the Santa Rosa Lodge of Good 
Templars, !Xo. 370, and in 1887 was an officer 
of the Grand Lodge of the State. In politics, 
he is ide'-titied with and prominent in the coun- 
cils of tiie Democratic party. 



fOLOMON SCHOCKEN is one of the en- 
terprising and successful merchants of 
Sonoma. His large and well stocked mer- 
cantile establishment is situated on the north 
side of the plaza, in the old adobe barracks, 
formerly occupied by the United States troops 
in the early days of California. These build- 
ings have been repaired and fitted up until they 
constitute as fine a store as there is in Sonoma 
Valley. In Mr. Schocken's establishment may 
be found every article that the requirements of 
the town and country demand. Dry goods, 
clothing, groceries, hardware, agricultural im- 



UISTOUr OF SONOMA COUNTY 



plements, harness, saddles, etc., are among the 
staple articles. Mr. Schocken dues not confine 
himself to mercantile pur.^nits alone, but is en- 
engaged in other industries that tend to bnild 
up his town and section, among which is that of 
quarryinij basalt rock. His (quarries are located 
upon a si.\ty-t\vo acre tract which he owns just 
north of Sonoma. In this business lie employs 
over forty men and a dozen horses. The basalt 
paving stones find ready sale in San Francisco, 
about 60,000 being shipped every month to that 
point. He is also quite largely interested in 
real estate in Sonoma County, owning five or 
six residence properties. The subject of this 
sketch was born in Prussia, in 1843. His 
father, Abraham Schocken, was also a native of 
Prussia. Mr. Schocken's earl}' life was spent in 
schooling and in acquiring the trade of a baker. 
Reing of an ambitions disposition, he decided 
to seek his fortunes in the new world, and at 
the age of nineteen years, in 1862, he emigrated 
to the United States. Upon his arrival in New 
York, lie engaged at his trade until 1863, and 
then came to California, arriving in San Fran- 
cisco in the spring of that year. Soon after his 
arrival he started in business as a peddler, a 
business which he gradually increased until he 
liad a large and lucrative trade in the mining 
counties. In 1864 he went to Oregon and en- 
gaged as a clerk in a general merchandise store, 
but, not being suited with the prospects in that 
section, he returned to San Francisco, and in 
the fall of 1865 he took a trip to the Sandwich 
Islands. Upon his arrival in Honolulu, not 
finding business suited to his calling, he did not 
spend his time in idleness, but acceptetl a situa- 
tion as a waiter in a restaurant. Soon after 
this he opened a restaurant upon his own ac- 
count, a business he conducted until 1867, when 
he sold out and returned to San Francisco, and 
soon after located in Napa County, at Monti- 
cello, wliere he was employed for some months 
as a clerk in a general merchandise store. In 
1868 Mr. Schocken established himself as a 
merchant in that place, and conducted a success- 
ful general mercantile business in Napa County 



until 1873, when he sold out and located in 
Sonoma, establishing a store and also engaging 
in the lumber business. He was nniformly 
successful in his enterprises, and his straight- 
forward dealing secured him friends and custom- 
ers. In 1880 he sold out his merchandise store 
and devoted himself to the lumber business and 
other enterprises; again, in 1883, he entered 
into general mercantile pursuits and estab- 
lished his present store. In 1872 Mr. Schocken 
was united in marriage with Miss Dora Baer, a 
native of Prussia. No children have blessed 
this union. Mr. Schocken has now four of his 
nephews in his family, viz.: Elias, Hyman, and 
Robert Pasch and Bernard Baer, in whom he 
takes a great interest, having established them 
in business. Politically, Mr. Schocken is a 
staunch Republican. He is a member of Temnle 
Lodge, No. 14, F. I'c A. M. 



f^AMES M. HILL.— The subject of this 
I sketch is a descendant from one of the old 
families of Virginia. His parents, William 
and Catharine (Wesley) Hill, were natives of 
Louisa County, that State, and his mother was 
a descendant of the great reformer, John AYesley. 
His parents moved to Madison County, Ken- 
tucky, at an early date, where he was born April 
3, 1810. His father died when Mr. Hill was 
but six years old, leaving the care and rearing 
of the family to the mother. In 1822 his 
mother moved with her family to Missouri, and 
located in Boone County, where she engaged in 
farming and stock-raising. Mr. Hill was early 
in life engaged in farm work, and brought up 
in the rugged life of pioneer settlements, his 
schooling being almost entirely neglected. He 
resided upon his mother's farm until he attained 
his majority, and, in 1831, married Miss Sarah 
Elston. Her parents were residents of Boone 
County, but natives of New Jersey. After his 
marriage, in 1832, he engaged in farming and 
stock-raising npon his own account, an occupa- 
tion which he followed until 1849. He was at- 



453 



UISTORY OF SONOilA COUNTY. 



tracted by the glowing accounts of tlie easily 
acquired riches to be obtained in the Golden 
State, and in the spring of that year he left his 
family on the old homestead and started across 
the plains for California. Nothing of particu- 
lar interest was connected with this journey, and 
after months of slow and tedious traveling of 
the ox teams over plains and mountains he ar- 
rived in October, 1849, in El Dorado County. 
Upon his arrival he immediately commenced 
active operations in mining, which he success- 
fully conducted until 1852. In that year he 
went by steamer route from San Francisco to 
New Orleans, and from there returned to his 
old home in Missouri. Upon his return he sold 
his farm, settled up his ati'airs,and in the spring 
of 1853 started upon his second trip overland, 
taking his family witli him. Upon his arrival 
in California he again located in El Dorado 
County, where he established a hotel and 
freifrhtincr line between Fiddletown and Indian 
Diggings, and was also engaged in miningopera- 
tions. He conducted these enterprises until 
1856, when, desirous of some more congenial 
occui)ation, he determined to take up his old 
calling, that of a farmer. With this in view he 
came to Sonoma County, and located on the 
Russian River in Redwood Township, where he 
secured 187 acres of Government land. Upon 
this he took up his residence and for naany years 
devoted himself to clearing, cultivating and 
improving it. He continued his farming and 
stock-growing at this point until 1879, after 
which he was engaged in various occupations, 
among which was extensive stock-growing in 
San Luis Obispo County. He was successful 
in his various enterprises, and in 1884 pur- 
chased 640 acres of land in Mendocino County, 
which he stocked with 600 head of sheep. Mr. 
Hill is a resident of Forestville. His advanced 
acre (nearly eighty years) has iiiduced him to 
abandon the care and labor attending his ranch, 
and he is enjoying the well earned competency 
which his industry and energy have secured to 
him. He has always been an active and ener- 
getic citizen, and his success in life has been due 



to his well poised intellect and industrious habits 
rather than to any educational advantages he 
received in early life. His long lesidence in 
the county has made him well known. He is 
a strong supporter of enterprises that will build 
up and advance the interests of Sonoma County. 
In political affairs Mr. Hill is associated with 
the Democratic party. He is a life-long Demo- 
crat, and at the same time exercises an intelli- 
gent and liberal view upon all the leading party 
questions. He is a member of Sotoyome Lodge, 
No. 123, F. it A. M., of Healdsburg. From 
the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hill there are but 
two children living, viz.: Emily, who is living 
on the old homestead on the Russian River, and 
Jemima A., who married C. D. Yarbrough, and 
is now (1888) living at Guerneville. 



fHARLES J. DUNZ, of Mendocino dis- 
trict, has a ranch which presents a notable 
"^^ instance of what may be accomplished in 
the way of impi'ovemeiit in a short space of 
time. This ranch. Laurel Hill vineyard and 
winery, comprises 344 acres, and is near the 
Dry Creek road, four miles from Healdsburg. 
When it was purchased by Mr. Dunz, in 1884, 
it was nearly all covered with timber, but now 
there are nearly 150 acres in vines, and all of 
most desirable varieties. They are Zinfandel, 
Burgundy, Mataro, Riesling, etc., and are all in 
splendid condition. Mr. Dunz commenced the 
erection of a winery in 1885, and has since 
added to it until it now has a storage capacity 
of 70,000 gallons. All his grapes will soon be 
in bearincr, and when this is the case there will 
be a very large vintage from the crop raised on 
the place. The flavor of the wine made from 
grapes raised on this land is excellent, and hence 
a price in excess of the usual market rate is 
commanded. Mr. Dunz also has ten acres in 
fruit, the varieties being peaches, plums, apples, 
apricots, etc. Though young the trees show 
excellent growth, and are in healthy condition. 
About sixty acres is cleared and underculti vation. 



nisroRY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Mr. Dunz is a native of Canton Berne, Switzer- 
land, born at the foot of the Alps, in Than, 
January 27, 1815. When a mere buy he 
lost his father by death. lie was reared 
in his native country, receiving his education at 
the University of Ikrne. In 1846 he came to 
America and located in St. Louis, but in 1850 
came to Califurnia via Panama, landing in San 
Francisco in March. He went to Sacramento 
in a whale boat, and was soon on his way to the 
mines of Coloma. From there he went to 
Placerville and Poverty Bar, where he was for 
a time in the mercantile business. He afterward 
was at the camps at Rich Bar, Yuba, and was 
interested at Long Bar. About ten years he 
was in the assay business in Nevada. He re- 
turned to his native land with two young native 
daughters of a friend for education, but after a 
residence there of six years came back to Cali- 
fornia and was for a time at San Francisco. 
Thence he removed to Santa Rosa, and two 
years later to his present residence. Mr. Dunz 
is a gentleman of no ordinary attainments, and 
has the true old country spirit of hospitality. 

^- ■ ^^f^*? 

fAMUEL ALFRED NAY was born in 
Hancock, Ilillsboro County, New Hamp- 
shire, February 18, 1830, his parents be- 
ing Gardner and Amelia (Simonds) Nay, both 
natives of New Hampshire. The tradition 
of the Nay family is that thi'ee brothers came 
to this country from France and spelled their 
name Ney, and all the Nays that have been 
heard from are descendants of these three 
brothers. Gai'dner Nay had eight children in 
his family of whom one died early in life. 
Three of the sons and one daughter are now 
living in California. The family moved from 
New Hampshire to Illinois, where the father 
died, September, 1861, after which Mrs. Nay 
came to California and made her home with one 
of lier sons, William J. Nay, until her death in 
1878. Samuel A. Nay made his home with his 
parents as long as he I'emained in that county. 



When he was eighteen he commenced the car- 
penter trade and worked at it off and on until 
he was twenty-two years old. In 1852 he came 
to California, sailing fi-om New York, February 
26, on the steamer Georgia, as far as Cuba. It 
was discovered by this time that the boat was 
leaking so badly that it would be imprudent to 
proceed any farther in her; so at the port men- 
tioned they met the steamer Ohio, with which 
they exchanged passengers and cargo, and the 
Georgia returned to New York, while the re- 
mainder of the passage was made in the Ohio 
as far as Aspinwall, then by small boats up the 
river as far as Goggoner; thence over the 
mountains to Panama, where the journey was 
continued in the steamer Panama to San Fran- 
cisco. After his arrival in San Francisco April 1, 
Mr. Nay looked around for something to do, and 
on one of his wanderings around the town saw a 
card stuck up in one of the windows advertising 
for teamsters. He applied to George Ensign of 
ilarin County for the position and hired out to 
him at a salary of $70 a month. This he 
thought big wages, just coming as he did from 
New Hampshire, and after working one month 
his wages were raised to $90, and the third 
month to §100. Thus he continued till the 
month of August, when he was taken sick aiid 
was compelled to abandon teaming on account of 
the dust. After a fortnight he was employed, 
by the same man, in the mill and attended to 
one of the saws. The mill was running night 
and day, si.x hours period. After working there 
for about a month, ^Mr. Ensign came to him 
and wanted him to drive the team again, as the 
other teamsters, not taking sufficient interest in 
the work, did not haul logs enough to keep the 
mill running all the time, and he offered Mr. 
Nay his pick of five out of thirty yoke of oxen 
and $125 a month. Mr. Nay, not being able to 
staiul the dust he woidd have to encounter, re- 
fused the offer and kept on at work in the mill 
until October, when he engaged in farming on 
his own account. He leaseil a piece of land in 
Marin Count}', in 1853, in which year there 
wei'e a great many potatoes sacked u]> and 



Ul;<TORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



lotted, tliere being no market for them, at least 
wliut tliere was did not offer a price tliat would 
net anything to the grower. Mr. Nay sold 100 
sacks to the State prison, for $20. At the end 
of the first year's farming he was §300 in debt 
besides losing all his hard work for tlie year. 
Tlie ne.xt year he farmed in the same county 
and liauled wood for his brother, William J. 
Nay, at two dollars a cord. He put in a croj) 
of potatoes the spring before and continued on 
tliat farm two years'^. The last year, 1855, was 
tiie year that potatoes commanded such a big 
jirice, four cents a pound. He then gave up 
farming for the time being, and with his brotlier 
"William, went to chopping and hauling four- 
foot wood, which business they continued till 
1858, when they bought some cattle and leased 
them out, and still continuing in tiie wood busi- 
ness for another year. They then bought more 
cows and went into the dairy business on the 
Seise jilace. They remained there two years 
after which they bought a ranch of 600 acres at 
Point San Pedro, where they followed dairying 
and hauling great quantities of wood ofi" the 
place. In the spring of 1863 Mr. Nay bouglit 
his brother's interest in the place and ran tlie 
business one year longer. He then leased the 
ranch and stock and went back to the Seise 
place, })urchasing more cows and running a 
larger dairy for five years, during which time 
he sold his ranch at Point San Pedro. Mr. 
Nay tlieii came to Sonoma County in 1870, and 
purchased his present place. During this time 
he and his brother bought a large sheep ranch 
of 1800 acres, located beyond Guerneville, 
between there and the coast, which they con- 
ducted for eight years and then sold it. Mr. 
Nay has in his present place 131 acres devoted 
to general farming and frui-t raising. He has 
an orchai-d of about thirty-four acres containing 
principally winter fruit. Mr. Nay was married 
in November, 1858, to Sarah Eliza "Winans, a 
native of Ohio. They have had five children, 
four sons and one daughter: Charles James, 
born March 14, 1860; Ileber Lewis, born May 
9, 1861, who married Mary E. Crippen: Isa- 



belle, born June 14, 1866, and died December 
24, 1870; Frank Gardner, born October 26, 
1871; Otto Rede, born March 8, 1874, and died 
in October of that year. 



li^^ILLIAM C. HILL, JOHN M. DIi K- 
WM) ^^^ -^^° THOMAS C. GOODFEL- 
l^^^I LOW, compose the dry goods and 
clothing firm of Hill, Dickson «fe Co., one 
of the most enterprising and prosperous busi- 
ness firms in Santa Rosa or Sonoma County. 
These gentlemen, who are all in the prime of 
manhood, have each had an extensive experience 
in this branch of mercantile life, and are thus 
conversant with every feature of the retail dry 
goods and clothing trade. The present co-part- 
nership was formed and their store opened for 
business in the Byington Block on Fourth 
sti'eet in 1886. Although their capital was 
limited and their stock not large, they are 
shrewd buyers as well as fine salesmen, and pur- 
chasing their stock at the lowest cash prices 
they were enabled to compete successfully with 
other merchants, and enjoyed a liberal patron- 
age from the beginning. The sales of the house 
during the first ten months of its history ag- 
gregated $52,000; and the firm doubled their 
capital. For the year 1888 their sales reached 
$80,000. The store in the Byington Block 
being too small for their inci'easing volume of 
business, they moved the 1st of October, 1888, 
into their beautiful and commodious store at No. 
6 Fourth street. This store was enlarged and 
fitted up especially for their use, with all modern 
appliances and conveniences, including the Lam- 
son store service, the only one in the city, and 
is one of the most attractive and elegant busi- 
ness rooms in the interior of California. The 
several departments, of dry goods, clothing and 
fancy goods, are kept thoroughly stocked with 
the latest and best products of the loom and 
the factory, all of which are sold on small mar- 
gin of profit; and each purchaser so treated by 
the gentlemanly proprietors and their salesmen 



UlSTOHY OF HONOMA VOUNTr. 



that he becomes a permanent customer. Will- 
iam C. lliLL left his birth place, on his father's 
fiu-ni in teouthern Ohio, at sixteen years of age, 
since which time he has depended entirely upon 
his own resources. He has traveled quite e.\- 
tensively, visiting many States; had live years 
experience as a school teacher. He came to 
California in 1879, spent about three years in 
traveling over the Paciiic slope, and, selecting 
S.inta Rosa as his future home, engaged in the 
dry goods business, working the tirst three years 
on a salary. He married Miss Emma Arnold) 
a native of Sonoma County. John M. Dickson 
was born in Kingston, Canada, and started in 
the dry goods business in his " teens" eighteen 
years ago, in Picton in the province of Ontario. 
He came to California in the spring of 1878, 
and to Santa Rosa in March, 1879. Mr. Dick- 
son married Miss Olive Spence, born in Sonoma 
County, and the daughter of an early pioneer 
in California. Thomas C. Goodfellow is a 
native of the province of Quebec, Canada, and 
started to learn the dry goods business at sixteen 
years of age in that country. He left Canada 
and came to the United States in 1878, and was 
engaged in merchandising two years and a half 
in Virginia City, Nevada. Coming from there to 
Santa Rosa in 1881, he worked five years as a 
dry goods salesman before entering into the 
present co-partnership. His wife was formerly 
Miss Kate AVilliamson, a native Santa Rosan. 



'§^-^^^ 

fOHN S. TAYLOR has for over thirty-five 
years been identi tied witli the growth and de- 
velopment of Santa Rosa and the valley. As 
a farmer, stock-raiser and business man, he is 
well and favorably known throughout the county, 
and as the genial host of the White Sulphur 
Springs he has gained a large circle of friends 
throughout the State. Mr. Taylor has large prop- 
erty interests in Sonoma County. His extensive 
farm, containing about 1,400 acres, is located just 
south and east of Santa Rosa and comprises 
some of the richest atid most ])i'oductive hill 



and valle}' land in Santa Rosa Valley. He is 
the owner of the White Siilpluir Springs, a well 
known summer resort which is located about 
two and one lialf miles from Santa Rosa. These 
springs are beautifully located near the base of 
Taylor Mountain, some sixty feet above and 
overlooking the city and valley of Santa Rosa. 
Here Mr. Taylor has fitted up one of the most 
pleasing and comfortable resorts to be found in 
the county. In a beautiful and shaded grove 
he has built a commodious and well appointed 
hotel and cottages, also a number of bath-rooms, 
which are supplied with liot and cold mineral 
water. The mineral waters found here are 
rapidly coming into favor on account of their 
health giving qualities, and each year brings an 
increase in the health seeking patrons of this 
favored resort. Mr. Taylor's lands are mostly 
devoted to general farming. He has sixty acres 
in vineyard, producing Zinfandel and Mission 
grapes, also about eight acres of orchard. A 
large portion of his lands seem especially 
adapted to fruit cultivation, and in his orchai'd 
he is producing some of the choicest fruit in tlie 
valley. The farm is well stocked with im- 
proved breeds of horses and dairy cattle. He 
is also the owner of some of the finest business 
and resident property in the city of Santa Rosa. 
He was one of the founders and is now vice- 
president of the Santa Rosa Bank. Mr. Taylor 
is a native of Virginia and dates his birth in 
Pittsylvania County in 1828. His parents, 
Mumford S. and Mildred (Schackleford) Taylor, 
were descendents of the old colonial families of 
Virginia. In 1840 his parents moved to Mis- 
souri and settled in Ray County, where his 
father engaged in farming and stock-raising. 
Mr. Taylor was reared as a farmer and remained 
upon his father's farm until 1849. In that 
year he engaged as a teamster and started across 
the plains for Santa Fe. From there he went 
to El Paso, Texas, and then across Mexico to 
Mazatlan, and thence by sailer to San Francisco, 
where he arrived in May, 1850. After work- 
ing a few days in that city he proceeded to the 
iriines on the Snutli Yuba River, and engaged 



II I STORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



in milling. Mr. Taylor followed that occpatiou 
with varying siiecuss nntil 1853. lie then came 
to Sonoma County, located upon the lands he now 
occnpies, and engaged in stock-raising and farm- 
ing. For many years he conducted a large 
dairy npon liis place, and also established a 
meat market in Santa Kosa. lie was also en- 
gaged in extensive stock dealings in the county, 
and during the time developed the White Sul- 
phur Springs, and built up the resort he now 
occupies. Few have taken a more prominent 
])art in developing the resources of this section 
of the county than lias Mr. Taylor. He has 
ever been an earnest supporter of all enterprises 
that tend to advance the interests and growth of 
Santa Kosa and the valley. Politically he is a 
strong Democrat, taking an earnest interest in 
the success of his partj'. Although notanciffice 
seeker he was chosen in 1888 by his party as its 
candidate for sheriff of Sonoma County. He 
is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity 
and is atiiliated with the Santa Rosa lodge, 
commandery and chapter. In 1870 Mr. Taylor 
married Miss IS'annie Clark, the daughter of 
David and Martha (Berry) Clark, residents of 
Santa Rosa. Her father is a native of Ohio 
and her mother of Tennessee. From this mar- 
riage there are two children, Zana ifildred and 
John S., Jr. 

-^-S*>«-|— 



tjLEXANDER D. LAUGIILIN.— The sub- 
; ject of this sketch was born October 7, 
^s*=^ 1854, in Yolo County, California, near 
where the present town of Woodland is now 
located. To use his own language, " this im- 
portant event of his life occurred in an emi- 
grant wagon, having Iowa for its starting point 
and Mark West Creek, Sonoma County, for its 
destination." In due time he attended the pub- 
lic schools — the Sotoyome Institute at Ilealds- 
burg, then under the management of Professor 
J. W. Anderson, now of San Francisco. After- 
ward he became astudentof the Pacific Method- 
ist College at Yacaville. and after its removal. 



at Santa Rosa. In October, 1875, he began the 
study of law in the office of Johnson & Henley, 
that firm being composed of Attorney-General 
G. A. Johnson and ex-Congressman Barclay 
Henley. In 1877 lie was admitted to practice 
law in the District Court of the Twenty-second 
Judicial District of California, but did notcom- 
inence the practice of his p'ofession until 1879, 
when he was admitted to the Supreme Court. 
Since this time he has been engaged in the 
practice of law at Santa Rosa, and held the 
office of justice of the peace for three j'ears. 
In 1884 he received the nomination by the 
Democratic County Convention for district at- 
torney, but was defeated by Darwin C. Allen, 
the Republican nominee. Mr. Laughlin is an 
enthusiastic member of the Masonic fraternity 
being past higli priest of Santa Rosa Chapter, 
No. 45, R. A. M., and now master of Santa Rosa 
Lodge, No. 57, F. & A. M. 



fiDWARD W. M. EVANS.— The gentle- 
man whose name appears at the head of 
I- this article, occupies a conspiciious figure 
among the younger business men of Petaluma, 
being in the lead in the marble and granite busi- 
ness in this vicinity. He descends from a good 
North of Ireland family, and dates his birth 
in 1801, from the county of Tyrone, Ireland. 
When very young his parents moved to this 
country, and after visiting and examining var- 
ious parts of the continent, including Virginia 
and Colorado, decided fifteen years ago to make 
California their home. Eleven years ago his 
father, whose name is E. K. Evans, purchased a 
farm in this vicinity, where he was long a lead- 
ing agriculturist, and is now a resident of 
Alameda. It was in Petaluma that Mr. Evans 
learned his business of marble and granite cut- 
ting and gained the proficiency that he now 
possesses in the various departments of his 
trade. He bought out the establishment of W. 
S. Brown, formerly the Petaluma Steam Marble 
Works, and then, as it is now, the leading 




/7o.J..^& 



Qj?l^'v^^y 



IirsTOHY OF SONOMA COUNTY 



establisliment of its kiiiil in this section, lie 
makes a specialty of the ilner imported Scotch 
granites, Italian marbles and other tii'st-class 
work, and his stock is a large and select one. 
Being in direct correspondence with Scotch and 
Eastern manufacturers he is prepared to furnish 
granite monuments at prices absolutely below 
his competitors. He is a skillful workman and _ 
permits nothing of an inferior character to leave 
the works. He is assisted in the business by 
his brother, E. J. Evans, who is now learning 
the business. His establishment is situated on 
Maine street, Petaluma, above the plaza, and all 
his work, whether for cemetery purposes, man- 
tels, wash slabs, etc., will be found first-class 
and at reasonable prices. He is a gentleman of 
pleasing address and a successful business man. 
Mr. Evans is a married man and has three 
children, all sujall. 



JSAAC E. SHAW, president of- the Clover- 
dale Banking and Commercial Company, 
one of the active business men of northern 
Sonoma County, is a native of Potsdam, St. 
Lawrence County, New York, born October 24, 
1829, his parents being Salmon and Esther 
(Ellis) Shaw, both of whom were born in Ver- 
mont. The subject of this sketch was reared in 
his native town and there received his educa- 
tion. In 1852 he went to St. Joseph, Missouri, 
and from there started for California on the 6th 
of April, in the train of Beam and Pugh. Their 
way took them by what was known as Sublett's 
cut-ofi', and they came into California via the 
old Carson route. Upon liis arrival in this 
State Mr. Shaw, like a great many of the early 
settlers, went to the mines at Placerville, where 
he engaged in mining, subsequently going to 
the town of AVeber, on the creek of the same 
name. There he remained until the following 
March when he went to Humboldt County, and 
engaged in logging on Elk River. After being 
thus employed two years, he went to Trinity 
County, engaging in mining on Trinity liiver, 



near what was then known as the old Reese 
Mill. Two years later he went to Lewiston, 
and, with a partner, conducted a butchering 
business. This occupation claimed his atten- 
tion until 1860, in which year he went back to . 
New York State, remaining there five year?. 
Mr. Shaw returned to California in 1865, ard 
engaged in the forwarding business at Red 
Blufl', at the same time carrying on mercantile 
business at Lewiston. In April, 1872, he came 
to Cloverdale, started in business, and the Clo- 
verdale Banking and Commercial Company, of 
which he is president, is the outgrowth of the 
st(n'e he then established. From that time he 
has been an important factor in the business of 
this portion of the county. Mr. Shaw has been 
twice married, the first time in 18(53, at Pots- 
dam, New York, to Miss Louisa Smith. She 
died in Cloverdale, leaving two children, viz.: 
Charles B., who is in the hardware trade at 
Cloverdale; and Ella. His present wife was 
formerly Miss Minerva McCray, a native of 
Missouri, and daughter of AV. H. McCra^'. 
They have one child, Frank. Mr. Shaw is a 
charter member of the local lodges A. O. U. AV. 
and Chosen Friends, and has passed the chairs 
in both. He is a Republican politically, aTid 
takes an active interest in public affairs. For 
seventeen years he has been treasurer of 
Cloverdale. 

II?. 'i r ■ ?!■ 111. 

fAPTAIN CHARLES M. SCAMMON.— 
Among the noticeably beautiful residence 
properties in Analy Township is that of 
the above named gentleman. It is situated one 
mile north of Sebastopol, at which point he is 
the owner of thirty-live acres of rich and pro- 
ductive land. Captain Scammon purchased this 
land in 1874 and commenced its improvement 
the same year, Ijuilding a beautiful and conven- 
ient cottage residence and suitable out buildings. 
His residence is finely located upon high ground, 
which is approached by a beautiful drive way, 
and his grounds are highly improved, shade 



460 



niSTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



trees, flowers, etc., surrounding his home. The 
view from his study window is one of surpris- 
ing Leant}-, overlooking as it does the Lagnna 
witli its placid waters and the beautiful meadows 
on the lower plateau. Captain Scamnion is de- 
voting his lands to general farming. In fruit 
culture lie confines himself to a family orchard 
a!Kl vineyard, in wliicli lie has some of the most 
valuable and improved varieties of fruit and 
table grapes grown in Sonoma County. All his 
stock are of the best. The cattle are improved 
by the famous Ilolstein and Jersey breeds, and 
the horses are improved by thoroughbred stock. 
The subject of this sketch (whose portrait ap- 
pears in this work) is thoroughly identified 
with Sonoma County, and a brief resume of his 
life is as follows: Captain Scammon was born 
in Pittston, Kennebec County, Maine, May 28, 
1825. He was the son of the Rev. Eliakim Scam- 
mon, a native of New Hampshire, who was well 
known in the legislative halls of Maine. His 
mother, Joauna (Young) Scammon, was born in 
Maine. The captain's early life was spent in 
school, his opportunities for an education being 
good. It was the desire of his father that he 
should receive a college education, but from his 
childhood he had a strong predilection for the 
sea, and at the age of seventeen years, he en- 
tered upon a sea-faring life, an occupation which 
he engaged in for nearly I'orty years. Captain 
Scammon was young, energetic and ambitious. 
A close attention to his calling and study of 
navigation, etc., secured his rapid promotion, 
and at the age of twenty-three years he was a 
master in his profession. The first vessel he 
commanded was the schooner Phcenix, trading 
to the Caroliiias. In 1849 he was placed in 
command of the bark Sarah Moers, of Bath, 
Maine, from which port he sailed in August of 
that year, bound for San Francisco, where he ar- 
rived in February, 1850. Upon his arrival 
there the Captain found the gold fever at its 
height, but the gold fields failed to attract him 
from his calling, and he continued in his profes- 
sion upon the Pacific coast until 1861. During 
this time he was actively engaged in the various 



occupations of his calling, trading, freighting, 
whaling, sealing — always as a master, fully 
competent and commanding vessels from the 
coasting schooner to the largest class of full- 
rigged ships. Among the vessels he commanded 
mention may be made of the following: barks, 
Emma, 1850; J. A. Thompson, 1850-'51; 
brig, Mary Hellen, 1852; bark, Rio Grande, 
1853; schooner, Mary Taylor, 1854; ship, 
Lenore, 1855-'56. In 1857 he vras in com- 
mand of the brig Boston, with the schooner 
Marin as tender, upon a whaling voyage, and 
in 1859-'60, while whaling and sealing on the 
coast of Lower California, was in command of 
the barks Ocean Bird and Carib, with the 
schooner Kate and A. M. Simpson as tenders; 
also in 1860 he commanded the ship Wm. C. 
Nye, upon a whaling cruise to the Okhotsk Sea. 
Captain Scammon's long years of service and 
experience had made him a thorough master of 
his profession, practically as well as theoreti- 
cally, and in 1861 he received an appointment 
from the United States Secretary of the Treas- 
ury as a Lieutenant in the United States revenue 
marine service. He immediately entered upon 
his duties as an officer in that service and his 
promotion was rapid. In 1863 he was placed 
in command of the United States revenue ma- 
rine steamer, Shiihrick, so well known on the 
Pacific coast. In the winter of 1865 the Cap- 
tain with his vessel was transferred to the 
United States navy for ninety days. This was 
done in order that the vessel might visit the 
Russian American possessions. The steamer 
Shtihrich under his command conveyed Colonel 
Charles S. Buckley, chief of the Western Union 
Telegraph expedition, to Sitka. Upon arrival 
at that place, the usual salutes were passed be- 
tween the Russian fort and the steamer. The 
Governor informed Captain Scammon that the 
Shuhrick was the first United States vessel that 
ever saluted the Russian flag at that port. Up- 
on his return to San Francisco the captain was 
granted leave of absence by the Secretary of the 
Treasury in order that he might take command 
of the "Western Union Telegraph fleet. Per- 



UISTOHY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



mission was also granted to fly the United States 
revenue marine flag upon the flag-ship. This 
responsible and important command may be 
better appreciated when we consider that the 
fleet comprised eight vessels as follows: ship 
Nightingale, steamer George E. Wright, barks 
Golden Gate, Palmetto, Clara Bell, Onward, 
IF. L. Rutgers and schooner Milton Badger. 
Tlio bark Golden Gate was the captain's flag- 
ship the iirst year, and the Nightingale was 
used as such during tlie second year. This tele- 
graph enterprise, wliich contemplated running a 
line through Siberia and Western Russia, was 
abandoned when the success of the Atlantic 
cable was assured, and Captain Seammon re- 
turned with his fleet to San Francisco and 
resumed his position in the revenue marine 
service, taking command of the United States 
revenue marine cutter, Joe Lane, after which, 
in 1868 and 1869 he was in command of the 
United States revenue marine steamer Wayanda. 
In 1870-'71 he was given the command of the 
United States revenue marine steamer Lincoln. 
In 1872 he took command of the revenue 
steamer Oliver Waloott. This was the first 
revenue marine steamer ever built on the 
Pacific coast. Captain Seammon had at this 
time been almost continuously engaged in his 
profession for over thirty years. The exposure, 
hardships and cares attendant npon his calling 
had so undermined liis naturally strong consti- 
tution, that he became an invalid and was ad- 
vised by the physicians to abandon a sea- faring 
life for a time at least. The department readily 
granted him a leave of absence. While in 
search of a desirable location for tlie recovery 
of his health he visited Sonoma County and was 
so pleased with its many attractions, soil, cli- 
mate, etc., that he purchased land and took up 
his present residence. In 1880 lie had so far 
recovered his health that ho applied for active 
service, and in the spring of that year was 
ordered on duty on the coast of Florida, where 
he commanded the United States revenue marine 
steamer DLn. While on that coast he contracted 
a malarious fever and was ('()m])ell('d again to 



avail himself of a sick leave. He then returned 
to his California home, where he remained until 
1882, when he went East and took command of 
the steamer MclMne. This vessel was engaged 
in cruising from Mobile, Alabama, to the Rio 
Grande, the southern bonndary of the United 
States on the Atlantic coast. The subject of 
this sketch remained in the active service until 
ill health again compelled his retirement from 
duty, and he returned to his home in Sonoma 
County, where he has since resided. The cap- 
tain is still an otficer in the United States reve- 
nue marine service, but it is doubtful if his 
health will ever again permit him to enter into 
active service. Captain Seammon started in liis 
profession at an age when most yonng men 
are attending school. He was naturally of 
studious jiabits, and during all the years tliat 
followed was a close observer of nature and a 
student of natural history. His literary attain- 
ments and works are of no mean order. He 
devoted many years to magazine and other 
scientific writings. His writings date back to 
the early days of California literature. Among 
his first writings were several articles in the 
Alta California upon Southern California, also 
numerons contributed articles for the Orerland 
2fonthly of San Francisco, in the days of Bret 
Plarte. Among the results of his study and 
scientific research while following his profession, 
special mention should be made of his work en- 
titled " Marine Mammals of the Northwestern 
Coast of North America," together with an ac- 
count of the American whale fishery, which is a 
full and comprehensive publication, and to-day 
stands as the only recognized authority npon tlie 
subject upon which he treats. These works 
have been published and extensively circulated, 
and the Captain has a just reason to be proud 
of the reputation he has gained in the scientific 
cii'cles of the world. Captain Seammon is well 
known in the community in which he resides, 
and is esteemed and respected by his many 
friends and acquaintances. He is closely iden- 
tified with and a strong supporter of all enter- 
prises tending to aclvaiici' the best intertsts of 



Ur STORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



the section in which he resides. Politically, he 
is a strong and consistent Repnhlican. well read 
and informed upon all the leading national 
issues of the diy. He is a nieniher of Lafayette 
Lodge, No. 126, F. & A. M., of Sehastopol. In 
1848, in Pittston, Maine, Captain Scam inon was 
united in marriage with Miss Susan C. Norris, 
daughter of Jeremiah and Harriet (Crowell) 
Norris. Her father was a native of Maine, and 
Irt mother of ]\[assachusctts. They have three 
children living, viz.: Charles K., Alexander E., 
and Lawrence N. Charles K. is now (1888) 
residing in Oregon. The other sons reside with 
their parents. 



fOllN TIVNEN. — The subject, of this 
sketch was born in New York City, August 
23, 1832, his parents being John and 
Nancy (ILu-rison) Tivnen, natives of Sligo 
County, Ireland. When but eight years of age, 
September 4, 1840, the death of his father left 
the care of himself and sister to the mother, 
and consecjuently Mr. Tivnen was early in life 
schooled to labor. At the age of ten years he 
commenced at such work as a boy could per- 
form, and at the age of fourteen years ap- 
prenticed himself to Andrew Simpson of 
Christopher street to learn the trade of baker. 
By close application and strict attention to his 
business he mastered all the details of his call- 
ing and gained the confidence of his employer, 
and when but eighteen years of age was given 
the position of foreman of the bakery and shop. 
He continued this occupation until 1854. The 
death of his mother, which occurred in July, 
1849, having broken up the family, his desire 
to travel induced him to start for California, 
which he did February 4, 1854, embarking on 
the steamer Northern Light, via the Nicaragua 
route. From Nicaragua hecamein the steamer 
Cortes to San Francisco, at which place he ar- 
rived March 4. Soon after his arrival he secured 
work at his trade as a baker in the American 
Bakery on Pacilic street, and afterward was en- 



gaged at the New York Bakery. In the years 
1856 and 1857 Mr. Tivnen visited Sonoma 
County, and being much pleased w'ith its many 
attractions decided to make it his home. In ' 
1858 he left San Francisco and located in Sonoma 
and the next year established a bakery, and being 
a practical baker and a man of sound business 
principles, this enterprise proved a success. He 
also engaged in other enterprises, and in 1871 
took the agency for the Firemen's Fund Insur- 
ance Company of San Francisco". He afterward 
increased his insurance business by accepting 
agencies in other fire and life insurance compa- 
nies. In 1877 he erected a bonded warehouse 
in Sonoma, it being the only one in Sonoma 
Valley. This w-arehouse was accepted by the 
Government in March, 1878. January 1, 1878, 
Mr. Tivnen sold out his bakery and has since 
conducted his warehouse and insurance business. 
His warehouse is of the most substantial order, 
bnilt of concrete, the doors and windows being 
guarded by strong iron shutters. This building 
is 80 X 60 feet, and has a storage capacity of 
60,000 gallons. His insurance business is also 
quite extensive, as he is representing some of 
the best known aud substantial iire and life 
insurance companies in the country. He has 
also considerable real estate in Sonoma, both 
residence and business property. Mr. Tivnen 
is well known both in Sonoma Township and 
County. His residence of over thirty years, and 
his straightforward business dealings have 
gained him hosts of warm friends and the re- 
spect and esteem of the community. He has 
been called upon to fill many places and oflices 
of trust in the county. In 1879 he was ap- 
pointed to fill an unexpired term as supervisor 
of his district, and in September of the same 
year was elected as supervisor of the first dis- 
trict of Sonoma County, which includes Sonoma 
and Yallejo townships. November 13, 1878, 
he was appointed notary public. He was also 
appointed to the same position November 17, 
1884, and re-appointed November 17, 1886. 
In 1886 he was elected public administrator and 
coroner of Sonoma County, a position which he 



HIHTOHY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



463 



filled so entirely to the satisfaction of tlie people 
that he was re-elected in 1888 by one of the 
largest majorities given to any otKcer in the 
county. He is a straightforward Democrat in 
politics, taking a deep interest in all matters 
afi'ecting the success of his party, but always 
using his influence ibr the best elements, and 
for what he considers the best interest of that 
party. Mr. Tivnen is a member of Sonoma 
Lodge, No. 28, I. O. 0. F., also a charter mem- 
ber of Bear Flag Lodge, No. 97, Knights of 
Pythias, and a member of Pueblo Lodge, No. 
168, A. O. U. W. June 2, 1881, Mr. Tivnen 
married Mrs. Sabrina Clara (Callaway) Syndor, 
the widow of Robert Bailey Syndor, a former 
resident and prominent nierciiantof Sacramento 
and Stanislaus counties. Mrs. Tivnen was born 
in Mobile, Alabama, September 11, 1843. She 
was the daughter of George and Eve (Cohen) 
Callaway, botii natives of Alabama. She died 
April 5, 1882, leaving four children, viz.: Mary 
Clara Tivnen, born Marc!) 30, 1882; and from 
her flrst marriage, Bertie Syndor, born March 
25, 18G9; Eva Syndor, born October 25, 1871, 
and Addie Syndor, born January 29, 1877. 



ILO S. DAVIS, OTie of the best known 
and highly esteemed business men of 
^iit/jn-^ Santa liosa, was born in Delaware 
County, New York, in 1828. In youth he 
learned the trade of millwright and pursued 
that business for many years. When twenty- 
seven years of age he left the Empire State, 
went to Minnesota, and for seven years was 
actively engaged in building and putting in 
mill machinery in that greatest milling center 
of the world — Minneapolis. In 1804 he came 
to California, and, settling in San Francisco, 
formed a co-partnership with a Mr. Amos, under 
the firm name of Amos & Davis, and carried on 
a prosperous millwright business there, which 
extended throughout this State and into adjoin- 
ing States and Territories. The firm manufact- 
ured and put in the works for both flouring 



and quartz mills, shipping machinery' as far as 
Central America. In April, 1876, Mr. Davis 
closed out his business interests and spent some 
time at the Centennial Exposition in Philadel- 
phia. Ileturning in the fall he came to Santa 
Rosa and engaged in the furniture and under- 
taking business, in company with T. R. Roller. 
Subsequently they dissolved partnership, having 
sold the furniture business to L. W. Smallwood 
and Mr. Davis retained the undertaking depart- 
ment. Since that time he has given his atten- 
tion solely to this branch of business, and is the 
only exclusive undertaker and funeral director 
in Santa Rosa. Mr. J. P. Stanley, who has 
active charge of much of his business, possesses 
rare qualifications, both by nature and training, 
for performing the last sad rites for the dead 
and comforting the bereaved hearts of the living. 
Four years ago Mr. Davis erected the portion of 
his fine brick block in which his otfice is situ- 
ated, on the south side of Fourth street between 
A and B streets, and the present year he built 
the remainder of the block, which now com- 
prises a hundred feet frontage on Fourth street, 
is two stories high, and is one of the most at- 
tractive and valuable business buildings in the 
city. This property, including the lots, is worth 
^40,000. He has also a fine residence property 
situated at the rear of this and fronting on Third 
street. The office and undertaking rooms are 
admirably adapted and arranged for the pur- 
pose, and are cheerful and inviting, presenting 
to the casual visitor no suggestion of death or 
the tomb, and revealing no hint of the large 
and complete stock of funeral goods they con- 
tain. Mr. Davis is a member of the Masonic 
order, in which he took the commandery orders 
in Zion Commandery, No. 2, in Minneapolis. 
He served as eminent commander of Santa 
Rosa Commandei'y the j'ear of 1881, and as re- 
corder of this commandery nine years. By 
virtue of being a Past Eminent Commander he 
is a member of the Grand Commandery of the 
State of California. He attended the Triennial 
Conclave of Knights Templar held in Chicago 
in 1880, in San Francisco in 1883, and in St. 



4Gi 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Louis in 1886. The subject of this memoir 
was united in marriage with Miss N. Skinner, 
in 1876. They are rearing .a nephew of Mrs. 
Davis, Herbert H. Moke, who is seventeen 
years of age. 



fllEED DICKINSON is proprietor of the 
Studio Vineyard School adjacent to Wind- 
® sor. Mr. Dickinson purchased the bean- 
tiful Studio vineyard in 1886, and at once set 
about its improvement on a liberal scale. 
Having three boys and desiring to give them an 
education which would combine all the advant- 
ages of a refined home with the discipline and 
efficiency of a first-class school, Mr. and Mrs. 
Dickinson decided to open an establishment at 
their home for the education of a limited num- 
ber of pupils. The result is the Studio Vine- 
yard School. All tiie branches of a liberal 
education are taught here as well as the French, 
German, Spanish, Latin and Greek languages, 
while instructions are also given in painting 
and drawing. In all these respects the school 
fulfills its mission, and in most of them advant- 
ages are had that cannot be found in any simi- 
lar institution in California. Mr. Dickinson, 
besides being a thorough scholar, ranks among 
the leading artists of the day and his work has 
commanded the highest encomiums at the hands 
of the cities in the art centers of Europe. Mrs. 
Dickinson, an accomplished and refined lady, 
gives her personal attention to instruction in 
the Spanish language. Assisting them is Pro- 
fessor Walters, who was educated in Berlin and 
at tiie University of Marburg. He is a tliorough 
master of the English, French and German lan- 
guages. In the points mentioned are to be 
found some of the leading advantages of the 
Stiidio Vineyard School. To have instruction 
in art and drawing from an artist who ranks 
among the leaders, and in languages from those 
who are themselves proficient in them, are ad- 
vantages which are indeed seldom met with, 
while, it would seem, essentiallv necessary. 



When these facilities are to be had by the 
young student while he is surrounded by the 
influence of a refined home, the inducements to 
parents to send their children here to be edu- 
cated become at once apparent. Some parents 
object to sending their children to many board- 
ing schools because of the impression that the 
youth, while removed from all surroundings of 
work of a physical nature, forgets his habits of 
industry. In this case the work of the vine- 
yard and farm is going on around the same as 
the rancher's son sees it at home, and indeed it 
is made an object of interest to the pupils. As 
references Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson give Mrs. 
Mills and Dr. C. C. Stratton, of Mills College- 
Seminary; Mrs. A. P. Hotaling, Mrs. Zelia 
Nutall, Mrs. Colonel Holt, Judge and Mrs. 
Selden S. Wright, Dr. A. P. Hayne, C. A. C. 
Dnisenberg, Esq., former German Consul ; 
Charles Bundschn, Esq., W. B. Bourn, Esq., 
Mr. and Mrs. David Bixler, W. W. Blow, Oak- 
land, and many others. J. Reed Dickinson is a 
native of London, England. He comes of one 
of the oldest families of the North, and indeed 
the Eeeds, his mother's family, have been 
prominently known in the history of North- 
umberland running back 150 years before the 
conquest. His father, Robert W. Dickinson, 
was a famous artist, and, while inheriting his 
father's talents for art, enjoyed an entree into 
art circles which were of much value to him. 
He received his first instructions under John 
Ruskin, and afterward studied with Herbert, of 
Paris. Then he spent three or four winters 
studying from life. For six summers he 
sketched in Britany; also in Germany, and 
finally making his headquarters in London 
during the winter seasons, he spent his sum- 
mers sketching throughout Europe, in such 
localities as fancy dictated. His works in Nor- 
way attracted much attention, and in CDnse- 
quence he received a letter of invitation from 
H. R. H. Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, 
requesting the opportunity of seeing th© pic- 
tures in the Prince's rooms, in Buckingliam 
Palace. At the international exhibition in 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



1873, in Albert Hall, London, his work received 
the highest praise, and he was awarded a gold 
medal by the Prince of AVales. In 1879 Mr. 
Dickinson came to America, and after spending 
some time in New York and Boston, located in 
California, and in Sonoma County in 1886. He 
has painted over 1,000 portraits since coming 
jiere. He has furnished the sketches of the 
black and white work for the London Graphic 
from California, since coming to the Stale. At 
his studio home he has many beautiful studies, 
some of them sketches of Sonoma County 
scenery, others glimpses of home scenes, and 
others too numerous to mention. Mr. Dickin- 
son was married in California to Mrs. Martha 
Holland, whose maiden name was Thede. Mr. 
and Mrs. Dickinson have two j)laces in Sonoma 
County: the Studio Vineyard, and a place of 
160 acres above Skaggs' Springs, which is one 
of the romantic spots in Sonoma County. It 
is here where Ihey intend moving the school 
later on. The home ranch contains eighty 
acres, convenient to Windsor. Between tifty 
and sixt}' acres of the tract are in grapes, which 
range in age from four to twelve years. There 
are twenty-tive acres of Zinfandel and five acres 
of Silver Leaf Zinfandel, the remainder being 
Muscats, Tokay, Mataro and Rose of Peru. 
This place presents a handsome appearance and 
everything is kept in the best of order. 

^-^-^ 



fOHN W. CASSIDY.— It was with con- 
siderable interest that the writer set out on 
a visit to the well-known fruit orchard of 
John W. Cassid^', which is cosily situated amid 
the hills adjoining Petaluma. It comprises a 
tract of twenty acres, and lies in a basin and on 
tiie slope of gentle hills that liave an eastern and 
northern exposure. Tiie only winds that are 
found troublesome in this locality are those that 
come from the ocean to the westward. Against 
these the ranch is protected by the crest of the 
hill along which Mr. Cassidy has planted a line 
of eucalyptus trees as a windbreak. Most of the 



orchard was set out in 1858 and 1859, the bal- 
ance since. The kinds chosen are cherries, 
plums, apples, peaches and pears. The cherries 
and the finer apples are marketed fresh. The 
plums are dried and the inferior apples are made 
into cider. In apples he is gradually working 
out the winter varieties on account of the ravages 
of the coddling moth, and is substituting the 
summer and fall varieties, such as the Alex- 
ander, Astrachans, Gravenstein and Holland 
pippin. The ranch is a picture of thrift and 
culture, and one perceives at once that the hand 
of a lover of the business and a careful student 
of the necessities, controls the place. In con- 
nection with the place are fruit houses, driers, 
cider mill, vinegar works, etc., so as to utilize 
every department. As a result Mr. Cassidy 
has the satisfaction of taking otf his little ranch 
of twenty acres as large an income as is usually 
gotten from the average farm of 160 acres 
farmed in the general Avay. When the writer 
called on him he was on a step-ladder pruning 
an apple tree. During the busy picking season 
he sometimes employs as many as tliirty people, 
but less of course at other periods. He uses the 
concentrated fertilizers on his land, finding that 
they give the best returns. From the house, 
which is a comfortable cottage, a lovely view is 
obtained stretching off' over the Petaluma Yalley 
to the Sonoma hills beyond. Altogether the 
situation is a charming one, quite out of town, 
yet easily within the city's reach along a 
romantic winding I'oad. Mr. Cassidy Js a native 
of New Jersey, where he was born August 13, 
1822. While but a child his parents removed 
to Wayne County, New York, near Clyde, and 
there he lived until he set out for California. 
At home he assisted his father, who was a manu- 
facturer in a modest way of threshing Tnachines 
and other agricultural machinery, and here he 
also gained a practical knowledge of engineering 
and similar duties. He began this work when 
only fourteen years of age. On January 1, 
1852, he started for California, accompanied by 
his lirother James. They came via Panama, and 
had the unpleasant exjierience of a ])assage 102 



IlISTOHY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



(lays long, in the latter part of wliicli they were 
reduced to short allowance, from that point up 
to San Francisco. Landed there June 7, 1852, 
being at that time the possessor of a fortune 
consisting of just S2.50. He obtained a situation 
as an engineer, but as his brotiier couldn't also 
get a job, he preferred to go to tlie mines. They 
went to Amador County and they each got a 
ijuartz mill to run. ITe had held liis position 
just two days when he fell sick with typhoid 
fever. He was sick four weeks, was given up to 
die, but he wouldn't give up, and his determina- 
tion brought him safely through. He had a 
relapse after getting up, however, and was worse 
than ever, and when he finally got out was a 
crippled man. Thinking a change of air would 
help him he was lifted into the stage, made his 
way to San Francisco, where he was wheeled on 
a hand-cart to a liotel. He had been given $10 
to make his trip by a friend, and in addition 
possessed a silver watch. But this small capital 
and his lionest face carried him along until he 
was able to go out and set to work. In March, 
1853, we find him at Columbia, Tuolumne 
County, mining, but after a few days he went 
back again to take a position, which he held for 
four years, as foreman with Stratton & Lane, 
contractors. In 1853 he in partnership entered 
into the nursery business at the head of Merritt 
Lake, Oakland, and continued in this until 1855. 
At that date they removed their trees to Contra 
Costa County. In 1858 he sold the ranch, dug 
up his trees, of which he had about 50,000, sold 
most of them and set out the rest of them on 
the ranch that he now owns and where he has 
made sucli a success. Mr. Cassidy is the pio- 
neer nurserj'man of California, being the first 
man to make a business of it, and to put genu- 
ine l)udded and grafted stock on the market. 
The first trees they used were imported from 
New York and freight alone in those early days 
amounted to 30 cents a pound. Mr. Cassidy 
reached Petaluma in October, 1858, since which 
time he has been a constant resident here, save 
for a period of three years from 1861 to 1865, 
when he was superintending mines in the inter- 



ior, and in 1868 when he took a trip East. Mr. 
Cassidy is a man of puljlic spirit and a pro- 
moter of whatever is of public weal. He was the 
prime mover, and was a stockliolder in the fruit 
packing establishment here, and has in other 
ways aided materially in building up the county. 
He is an inventor of some distinction, and is the 
owner uf patents upon a dryer that is a manifest 
improvement upon existing makes, especially in 
its successful employment of petroleum for heat- 
ing purposes. He is a staunch Republican, hav- 
ing been a consistent member of the grand old 
party since the days when the Free-Soil party 
originated. He has n.-ver sought for public 
office, thinking his duty best subserved by a 
strict attention to the calls of business. He was 
married January 1, 184S, to Miss Laura L. 
Crommett. She came out to join her husband 
via Panama, reaching California Ma}' 4, 1854. 
She was born April 5, 1829. The marriage was 
celebrated at Newark, Wayne County, New 
York. They liave had four children, of whom 
three are living: Wilmot Abbott, born Octo- 
ber 31, 1848, now the manager of the Bachelder 
Rancho in Alameda County; Fred Byron, born 
March 3, 1860, died in San Francisco, February 
6, 1863; Ellen Louise, born November 4, 1863, 
the wife of Mr. Webster, superintendent of 
schools, Solano County; and Albert H., born 
July 7, 1868, and still at home. It should be 
stated further that Mr. Cassidy is a prominent 
member of the Masonic order. 



-^3-^ 



fOHN HENRY BAILEY was born in Here- 
fordshire, England, October 19, 1820. His 
parents, John and Elizabeth (Powell) 
Bailey, were both natives of that country. In 
1851 the family came to the United • States and 
located at Cleveland, Ohio, where Mr. Bailey 
died the same year. The family, however, con- 
tinued to make that their home, the widow- 
dying there in 1868. Their family consisted of 
seven children, of whom two sons and a daugh- 
ter are still residiuir at Cleveland. John Henry 



JII.STOUy OF SONOMA COUNT 1'. 



Bailey, the subject of this sketch, was reared 
on liis lather's farm in England, and when he 
was nineteen years old he went to the C'tm- 
tinunt and traveled in dilFerent countries 
for a period of eight years. lie came to 
the United States in March, 1851 (a few 
months ))revious to the coming of the family), 
landed in Philadelphia, from there went to New 
York, and in the fall of the same year located 
in Cleveland, Ohio, and engaged in the mercan- 
tile business, in which he continued for seven- 
teen years. He then came to California, sailing 
from New York by the way of Panama and 
landing in San Francisco November 17, 1868. 
He came to Sonoma County and bought his 
present place, about three miles north of Peta- 
luma, consisting of 115 acres, which is devoted 
to the raising of I'ruit, hay and potatoes. He 
has about twenty acres in fruit of all kinds, but 
principally winter apples. Twenty-five acres are 
in potatoes this year. One of the great resources 
of the ranch is the poultry, tliere Vjeing between 
four and five hundred chickens. The amount 
of eggs sold in 1887 was about 3,000 dozen. 
Mr. Bailey was married in 1853 in Cleveland, 
Ohio, to Mary Ann Rothermel, a luitive of New 
York. They have nine children, seven sons and 
two daughters: Thomas B., Mary B., wife of 
J. W. McNally; Frank R., Alfred G., Rose E., 
Charles E., Pierre, Eugene R. and Alban L. 
The two eldest sons are in business in San 
Francisco. 

'^ \ ^ 

fHARLES D. FRAZEE, the well known 
druggist and former proprietor of the old 
Pioneer drug store, Santa Rosa, was born 
in Rensselaer County, New York, October 20, 
1828. His father, Henry Frazee, was of Scotch 
descent, born in New Jersey. His mother, Han- 
nah (Sharp) Frazee, was a native of New York, 
and a descendant of an old family of that State. 
The subject of tiiis sketch was given a good 
common school and classical education, and at 
sixteen years of age he entered upon the study 



of law in the office of Judge Lansing at West 
Troy, New York, lie continued these studies 
for about three years, and then commenced the 
study of pharmacy. In 1849, after tiioroughly 
fitting himself for a druggist, he went to New 
York where he re(nained until 1850. He then 
went west and spent about a year in St. Louis 
and from there, in 1851, went to New Orleans, 
where he had charge of a large retail drug store 
for three years. In 185i Mr. Frazee went up 
the Mississippi River and attached himself to 
an emigrant train bound for Oregon. He 
worked hard on this journey, driving stock, etc., 
until they arrived in Oregon, October 1. From 
there Mr. Frazee came into California, and for 
the next three years was engaged in mining in 
Siskiyou County. This i ot proving successful, 
in December, 1857, he went to San Francisco, 
and thence to Chili, South America. Unable 
to obtain employment in that country he was 
soon without means, and accepted a position as 
steward of a vessel bound for San Francisco. 
Upon his arrival in that city, again being unable 
to find employment at his calling, he spent the 
season in the harvest fields, after which he se- 
cured work with the firm of R. Hall & Co., 
of San Francisco. In 1859 he located at 
Mokelumne Hill where he was engaged as a 
clerk and druggist. With the exception of 
about six months spent in Austin, he remained 
at that point until 1804. He then went to 
Reese River and engaged in mining enterprises. 
These proving unsuccessful he returned to San 
Francisco and in 1805 came to Sonoma County 
and was employed as a druggist in Petaluma 
until 1868. He again went to San Francisco 
and was employed with the well known firm 
of Wakelee & Co. until June, 1869. In 
that year he returned to Sonoma County and 
located at Santa Rosa where he established him- 
self in business as a druggist in the Pioneer 
drug store. This business he successfully con- 
ducted until August 30, 1887, when he sold out 
and retired to his present home in the court- 
house scliool district, one mile west of Santa 
Rosa. Since that time Mr. Frazee has devoted 



UlaruHY OF SONOMA VOUNTY 



much of his time and attention to fruit growing. 
The thirty-eight acre tract i)nrchat:ed by him 
in 1876, under his care and direction has been 
fully improved, and is now highly productive. 
He has over thirty acres of orchard containing 
2,500 French prune, 500 pear, 300 plum, and 
100 each of apricot, peach, cherry and apple 
trees. Many other varieties of fruits, berries, 
and grapes are also successfully cultivated. Mr. 
Frazee also owns valuable business and resi- 
dence property in Santa Rosa. The subject of 
this sketch was for nearly twenty years con- 
nected with the business interests and industries 
of Santa Rosa, and during that time has gained 
a large circle of friends and acquaintances 
throughout the county. He is a progressive 
and enterprising citizen, always ready to aid in 
any enterprise tending to build up the city of 
his choice. Politically, he is a Democrat. In 
1871 Mr. Frazee was united in marriage with 
Miss Isabella I. Davidson, daughter of Jacob 
E. and Mary (Winn) David.-;on, pioneers of So- 
noma County- From this marriage there are two 
children: Edwin Charles and Henry DeWitt. 



fAMES H. LAUGHLIX.— The subject of 
this sketch stands pre-eminent as one of 
Sonoma County's representative citizens, 
and successful farmers. A sketch of his life is 
uf interest; briefly stated it is as follows: Mr. 
Laughlin is a native of Tennessee. He dates 
his birth June 11, 1819, in Warren County of 
that State. His parents, Alexander and Eliza- 
beth (McGill) Laughlin, were natives of Vir- 
ginia. His early life was spent on a farm, where 
he became versed in the practical knowledge so 
necessary to those who secure success in that 
calling. His father died in 1881, and in the 
fall of 1839 his mother moved her family to 
Hancock County, Illinois. At that time Mr. 
Laughlin was twenty years of age. He left the 
family in Illinois, went to Van Buren County, 
Iowa, and spent the winter in clearing off" land 
and building a log cabin into which his mother's 



family moved the next spring. Mr. Laughlin 
was the oldest of the children and was really 
the head of the family as far as farming and 
out-door occupations went. In 1'853 he mar- 
ried Miss Frances E. Briggs, the daughter of 
Jerome and Frances (Wing) Briggs. who were 
natives of Vermont. He continued his farming 
and stock-raising operations in Van Buren 
County until the spring of 1854, when, in com- 
pany with his wife, mother, brother, and sister, 
he crossed the plains to California. They 
brought with them a drove of about 200 head 
of cattle, and arrived in October of that year, 
locating in Yolo County. Mr. Laughlin en- 
gaged in farming and stock-raising there until 
September, 1855, when he came to Sonoma 
County and settled on the north bank of Mark 
West Creek. Here he found a tract of rich 
deep soil lying in its wild and uncultivated state, 
and at this place he camped, using the bodies 
of his emigrant wagons as a shelter while he 
went to the redwoods, and split out the lumber 
with which he built a humble cabin for his 
family. Since that time, for more than thirty 
years, Mr. Laughlin has devoted himself to 
agricultural pursuits. The wild and unculti- 
vated land has been made to blossom and yield 
its hidden riches like the veritable garden of 
Eden. His humble cabin h;is been replaced by 
one of the most elegant residences in Sonoma 
County, surrounded by beautiful shade trees, 
lawns, flowers, etc., while the numerous well 
filled barns and stables attest the success at- 
tending his labors. To bis original IGO acres 
he has added tract after tract until his present 
magnificent farm comprises 1,200 acres, all in 
one body. As before stated, this land is located 
on the Mark West Creek, in the Russian River 
Township, and Lone Redwood school district. 
The North Pacific Railroad passes through his 
land. His residence is located at Mark West 
Station, a thriving little village with its railway 
station, postoflice, etc. Mr. Laughlin early saw 
thai success lay in diversified farming, rather 
than in grain raising, and has conducted his 
operations upon that basis, always seeking for 



HISTORY Ob' SOJSOMA VOUJ^TY. 



and p_roducin<^ the best. His farm may well be 
styled a model. Thirty acres of his land are in 
vineyard, producing wine grapes of the Zinfan- 
del variety, fle also has a lartye variety of table 
grapes for family use, and twenty acres in orchard, 
yielding apples, peaches, and pears principally, 
but also contains French prunes, plums, cherries, 
figs, persimmons and crab-apples. He has also 
forty acres of alfalfa, and despite the fact that this 
land is not irrigated, the yield is noticeable. Two 
or three crops are cut yearly, and then months 
of pasturage is afforded his stock upon the alfalfa 
fields. A large share of Mr. Langhlin'sattention is 
devoted to stock-raising, in which he takes a just 
pride. Among his stock are 500 head of Span- 
ish merino sheep, and 100 head of high grade 
Durham cattle. For years Mr. Laughlin has 
been interested in improving the breed of horses 
in Sonoma County. He is one of the pioneers 
in the breeding of thoroughbred and improved 
stock, sparing neither time nor expense toward 
this end. Among his draft horses are magnifi- 
cent specimens of "Suffolk Punch," "Clydes- 
dale " and English stock, while his roadsters and 
trotting horses show beautiful specimens of 
" Anteo " from Hamiltonian stock. He is a 
prominent member of the Santa llosa Stock 
Breeding Association, and also of the Sonoma 
County Agricultural Park Association. Any 
enterprise that tends to advance the agricultural, 
horticultural and stock breeding interests of 
Sonoma County always receives the hearty sup- 
port of Mr. Laughlin. He is also a stockholder 
and director of the Santa Rosa Bank. In all 
matters pertaining to the welfare and morals of 
the community in which he resides, he has ever 
taken a prominent part. A strong supporter of 
the public schools, he has for over thirty years 
been a school trustee in his district. He is a 
member of Russian River Lodge, No. 181, F. & 
A. M., Windsor. Politically, Mr. Laughlin is a 
consistent Repul>lican, and although not an 
office seeker his influence has always been felt 
in the ranks of that party, and always for what 
he believed was for its best interests. His lono- 
residence, public spirit, and large business in- 



terests have made him extensively known, and 
have gained him the respect and esteem of a 
large circle of friends and acquaintances through- 
out the county and State. Mr. Laughlin has 
also large interests in Mendocino County. He 
is the owner of 6,000 acres of land in that 
county, which he has stocked with over 3,000 
head of Spanish merino sheep. P>om the mar- 
riage of Mr. aod Mrs. Laughlin there are six 
children living, viz: Ada S., Annie A., James 
Henry, Frank W., Alexander Grant, and Clyde 
C. All are residing at home except Ada S., 
who married Heber Thompson, and is now 
living in Washington Territory. 



-i»^r- 



L. WARNER has a ranch of 110 acres 
,^, in Mendocino Township, five miles from 
■^i"* Healdsburg, on the road between that 
place and Guerneville. He purchased the ranch 
in November, 1874, and moved to it the follow- 
ing month. At that time there was a vineyard 
of one and one-half acres, but he now has 
twenty-five acres in vines, the younger vines 
ranging in age from tliree to six years. They 
are mostly Zinfandel, Riesling, Chasselas, Foun- 
tainbleau, Red Chasselas, Muscats and Tokays, 
and find a market at [lealdsburg and at San 
Francisco, though it is his intention to ship the 
finer table varieties directly East. He has about 
eighteen acres in orchard. All were planted by 
him except a few apple trees that were in bear- 
ing when he came into possession of the place. 
He commenced planting in 1883 and set out 
the last trees in 1880. His peach trees have 
already yielded heavily, and others are coming 
into bearing. In 1888 he sold ten tons of 
peaches, two tons of Bartlett pears, and four 
tons of plums to canneries, and dried more than 
he sold. Ilis peaches are of the finest varieties, 
being Orange Cling, Lemon Cling, Salway, 
Smocks, Honest Abe, Foster, Early Crawford 
and Wager. He has both French and Silver 
prunes, and Yellow Egg, Jefferson and Coe's 
Golden Drop plums. There is also a variety of 



470 



nisTony of homoma county. 



tigs, including the AVhite Smyrna packing fig. 
Mr. Warner, who has proven iiiinselt'a success- 
ful fruit grower, is a native of Erie County, 
New York, horn ]\Iai'eh 18, 1826, his parents 
being Levi and Ilepsibali (Dickerson) "Warner. 
His father, a scion of an old New England 
family, was a native of Rutland, Vermont. His 
mother was born at Amherst, Massachusetts, 
but removed with her parents to New York 
when a child. The father of the subject of this 
sketch was the son of a Revolutionary soldier, 
who fought at the battle of Bunker Hill. He 
cleared up a farm in the wilderness of western 
New York and there made his home. A. L. 
Warner was reared in Erie County, New York, 
educated at the schools of his neighborhood and 
at the age of seventeen commenced teaching 
school. In 1844 he removed to Wisconsin, 
locating in Walworth County, east of Beloit, 
and afterward attended Beloit College. He 
followed his profession of teaching for a number 
of years in southern Wisconsin and northern 
Illinois. When tlie Civil war came on his 
every effort was lent to the advancement of the 
Union cause. He helped Farnsworth raise his 
Eighth Illinois Regiment, and was offered the 
Majorship of it. After a conversation with 
that gentleman later he decided to raise a com- 
pany under the call for 600,000 men. He met 
Governor Yates at the Sherman House, Chicago, 
obtained his permit to raise a company, and 
goino- to Sycamore, De Kalb County, had the 
requisite number of men within twenty-four 
hours. They were mustered in at Dixon, as 
Company C, One Hundred and Fifth Illinois, 
with Mr. Warner as Captain. They proceeded 
to Evansville, and the regiment was brigaded 
alongside of President Harrison's command, in 
Ward's Brigade, Twentieth Army Corps. They 
proceeded to Kentucky, and were soon engaged 
at Bardstown, next at Bowling Green, and 
thence to Tennessee. But Mr. Warner's health 
had been completely broken down, and at Gal- 
latin, Tennessee, he found it necessary to resign. 
His whole left side was nearly paralyzed from 
the effect of his sickness. He returned to Syca- 



more, and in 1864 came to California for his 
health, crossing the plains with a train, and 
bringing 100 head of horses. At Virginia City 
he stopped to recruit his stock, then proceeded 
to Marysville. For the next four years he dealt 
in stock in the mountains of Sierra County. He 
then wont to Oakland, where he engaged in the 
hay and grain business, and so remained until 
coming to his present location. He was married 
at St. Charles, Illinois, to Miss Mary P. Elliott, 
a native of Indiana. They have four children: 
Mary E., wife of Seth B. Malone, of Alameda 
County; John E., of Sonoma County; E. L., 
who is in tiie railway baggage department, at 
the foot of Market street, San Francisco; and 
Cora E., wife, of Alartin V. Frost, foreman of 
the Hopkins ranch. Mr. AYarner is an active 
and influential man and a prominent Republi- 
can. He served seven years in the City Council 
of Oakland, and in the East held many posi- 
tions of honor and trust. His brother, A. J. 
Warner, of Ohio, is one of the oldest members 
of Congress, in point of service, and is one of 
the leaders of his party in the House. Mr. 
Warner is a member of the Baptist church. 
He belongs to the Healdsbnrg Lodge, A. F. & 
A. M., and is a Knight Templar in the order. 
He is now Commander of Rod Matheson Post, 
G. A. R., Healdsburg, and has passed through 
the chairs in the Grange, and is a member of 
the Odd Fellows order of twenty years' standing 



fOHN BACON LEWIS was born in Sara- 
toga County, New York, March 15, 1825. 
His father. Reed Lewis, was a native of 
Vermont, and was one of the first settlers in 
Saratoga County, New York, where he died in 
1835. His mother, nee Margaret Bacon, was a 
native of New York State. The subject of this 
sketch was ten years old when his father died. 
After going to school in Greenbush one year, 
he went to Farmington, Hartford County, Con- 
necticut, where he lived with a brothir-in-law, 
James Cowles, until 1847. He then i-eturned 



Ill STOUT OF SONOMA COUNTY 



to New York and entered into the mercantile 
Imsiness at Sclmjlerville. In Jannary, 1849, 
he started for California. Before leaving New 
York a stock company was organized, with its 
regular officers and code of laws governing the 
same, the object of which was to go to Cali- 
fornia and commence operations in the gold 
fields where the earnings of each member was 
to go into a pool, after which regular dividends 
would be declared. No individual member 
could door control anything but what would be 
in joint accord with the company. They pro- 
vided themselves with everything they needed 
for the enterprise and started out on their jour- 
ney, not one of them expecting to remain in 
California longer than a year, by which time 
they all expected to be millionaires, and would 
then return to the East. The}' reached Chagres 
and crossed the isthmus to Panama, where they 
remained some four months. Here they had 
some very exciting times and many interesting 
events took place, that if they were properly 
written up would form an interesting work of 
itself. At Panama there were some three or four 
thousand people assembled waiting to be con- 
veyed to the mines. The gold fever that had 
broken out liad caused such a panic and conster- 
nation among so many iidiabitants from all 
quarters of the globe that those of this party 
who had congregated in that particular section, 
realized, or thought they did, that fortunes were 
being lost every day by their inability to reach 
the land of paradise, where, judging from the 
reports that were constantly coming in, all they 
would have to do was to pick the gold up 
almost anywhere. The Sacramento River was 
said to be full of it, and by dredging the bot- 
tom of the stream great quantities of gold could 
be taken from the soil. There was but one 
steamer plying on the Pacific coast and tliis ves- 
sel could make but one trip a month. It was 
surprising to see tlie danger some of them 
would risk in order to further their ends. Sev- 
eral frail barks were improvised in any way 
they could be fashioned, and set out to sea with 
some adventuresome ])ersons on board; but in 

29 



every case they would be obliged to return, as 
that was not a day when miracles of such a na- 
ture could be performed. Mr. Lewis, just be- 
fore leaving his native soil had borrowed s2o of 
which he gave ^20 to his wife for her support 
and that of their infant child, while the other 
$5 he had put into his own pocket to defray his 
incidental expenses. His experience in Panama 
soon caused hiin to realize that something must 
be done in order to care for his wife and for 
himself. Accordingly he opened a restaurant 
and fed the hungry such as he could give them, 
and also offered lodging to those who wished to 
accept of the accommodations — a tent over 
head and a blanket and the ground for a bed. 
The rates for lodging were %\ per night. This 
adventure, although only a temporary one, 
proved financially very successful. By this 
time some parties had purchased an old brig 
called the Trco Friends, that was laying there 
almost rotten, and fitted her uji fir the purpose 
of continuing the journey to California. She 
was of about 150 tons burden, single deck, and 
wlien loaded there was very little comfort al- 
lowed the passengers. Tickets for passage were ' 
sold to the nnniber of 250, and when the pas- 
sengers boarded the vessel the}' realized that it 
would be impossible for so many to be accom- 
modated. Complaint was made to the mana- 
gers and the money paid for passage was 
demanded to be given back by many who had 
purchased their tickets. This the managers re- 
fused to do, as it was a money making scheme 
on their ])art, when finally one of them was 
cornered on the beach and the demand made to 
him by the angry crowd, and in order to save 
his neck, the manager fixed the matter up in a 
satisfactory manner with those who did not take 
passage. They left the Tico Friends at the 
island of Toboga near Panama, and after re- 
maining there awhile, a Dutch vessel, called the 
Alexander Von lluinholdt, came in loaded 
with coal. This vessel was purchased for §60,- 
000, and condemned and sold in San Francisco 
for $12,000. This vessel was chartered and the 
remainder of the iournev was made with it. 



insnun' of s<l\oma cocnit. 



There were over 300 passengers and 200 of them 
had ])iirchased cabin tickets. Tlie calnn was 
capable of accommodating sixteen persons, 
which luxury was given to the most deserving 
of the company, while the rest had to fare as 
best they could. The food for tlie passengers 
was all cooked in one large, common caldron. 
The passengers were divided up into messes of 
til'teen each, and the steward of each tness would 
go u]) to the caldron and get as much food as 
was allowed for his mess and return to theiti. 
The bill of fare varied of course, and they never 
liad more than one variety at a time. Their 
allowance of hard-tack was served out twice a 
week. Sugar was served in the same way. Tea 
was made in the morning and then the grounds 
thrown ont and the caldron used for something 
else; sometimes in making this change from 
one thing to another it would be cleaned, and 
then again it would not be; in fact, whether it 
was 01- not made little diil'erence. Phim-daff 
was a I'arity and a favored dish, which was 
served once a week, and only one meal a day 
was allowed on the llumhuhlt. At Acapulco a 
stop of two weeks was made, where the half 
starved passengers feasted on I'm it. Finally, 
after being out 102 days from tlie time they left 
Panama, they arrived in San Francisco Aug.ist 
29, 1849. According to the articles of the com- 
pany they had to remain together three months, 
and after arriving in San Francisco they found 
that as a company they could do nothing. There 
was considerable pro])erty that had been sent out 
to them, and which had to be disposed of. So 
they opened a store and set out to get the goods 
up from the beach, but the question was how to 
get them hauled. Mr. Lewis managed to secure 
a horse and cart, and by using a little ingenuity, 
made harness which completed the outfit. 
After their business was about settled up Mr. 
Lewis purchased the horse and cart of the com- 
pany for $250. The next.day he was offered 
§1,000 for it, but refused as the outfit was 
worth to him at least S25 a day for hauling pur- 
poses. This was the beginning of Mr. Lewis's 
drav business in San Francisco, which he fol- 



lowed up to 1856. He started the first dray 
and truck in San Francisco, and used to 
haul the sand for fort gunny bags during the 
vigilant committee times. He then came to 
Sonoma County and with liis brother-in-law, C. 
A. Bodwell, purchased the land where he now 
lives. They cultivated the place together until 
1864, when Mr. Lewis bought out Mr. Bod- 
well's interest. The farm contains 300 acres of 
upland, besides some 200 acres or more of marsh 
land. His principal business is dairying and 
stock-raising. Mr. Lewis became a Mason in 
1868 and has worked up through all the different 
degrees to a Itnight Teniplar. He was married 
in January, 1848, in Farmington, Connec- 
ticut, to Elizabeth Bodwell, who died in 1866. 
The issue of this marriage was two children, 
one of whom died when only a year old. Charles 
W. Lewis, the only son, was born in 1854. He 
was married in the fall of 1874 at Unionvilie, 
Connecticut, to Miss Julia Davis, a native of 
that place. They have three children. 



^^ENRY RASCHEN was born in Vege- 
^^m\ sack, Germany, in 1852, his parents being 
*?5li Henry and Annie Raschen, both natives of 
Vegesack. There he was reared, receiving a 
liberal education until about fifteen years of age, 
when his energetic nature and ambition induced 
him to launch out in life for himself. In 1866 
he came to the United States. His first year in 
the new world was spent in New York, where 
he was employed as a clerk and bookkeeper in a 
large importing house. Still desirous of change, 
in 1867, he came to California and located in 
San Francisco. Upon his arriv.il in that city 
he obtained employment in the well known 
Continental Hotel, corner of Montgomery av- 
enue, Pacific and Kearnej' streets. Here Mr. 
Raschen seemed to find an occupation well 
suited to his capabilities, and he was soon given 
full charge of the hotel, and in 1871 he leased 
the hotel and successfully conducted the same 
until 1878, when he established a ship-chan- 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



dler's store in partnership with L. Iloepken. 
After some months in this business Mr. Raschen 
sold out his interest, and again started in the 
hotel business in the Chicago Hotel, located on 
the corner of Pacific and Battery streets. This 
hotel was conducted by him until 1882, in which 
year he came to Sonoma and leased the well 
known Union Hotel, of which he is now (1889) 
the proprietor. This hotel under his manao;e- 
ment ranks among the best in Sonoma County. 
A more genial, obliging and successful host 
than Mi-. Raschen is not to be four.d, and this 
fact is well attested by the respect and esteem 
in which he is held by the traveling public, as 
well as by the community in which he resides. 
In 1885 Mr. Raschen increased his business en- 
terprises in Sonoma by the establishment of a 
real estate and insurance office. His partner in 
this enterprise is H. H. Granice, the editor of 
the Sonoma //uZea; I'ribune^and the firm name is 
liaschen & Granice. Tliese gentlemen are con- 
ducting a successful business, and are the rep- 
resentatives of the New York underwriters, 
coinjirising the Hanover Fire and Citizens' Fire 
Insurance Companies of New York, also general 
agents of the German Benevolent Society of 
San Francisco. In politics Mr. Raschen is a 
staunch Repul>lican. He is a member of several 
social and benevolent organizations, among 
which are the following of Sonoma: Sonoma 
Lodge, No. 28, I. O. O. F.; Bear Flag Lodge, 
No. 97, K of P., and Pueblo Lodge, No. 168, 
A. O. U. W. In 1877 Mr. Raschen was united 
in marriage with Miss Eliza Heimburg, the 
daughter of E. W. and Eva S. Heimburg of 
San Francisco. From this marriage there are 
three children living, viz.: Etta, Annie and 
Frederick. 



— — ^^«H>— — 

fAMES K. PIGGOTT, proprietor of the 
Souvenir Photograph Studio, came to 
Santa Rosa and purchased an interest in 
the Third Street photograph gallery, on the 8th 
of December, 1884, having previously learned 



and pursued the business for a number of years 
in San Francisco. After being connected with 
that gallery for three years and a half, both as 
joint and sole owner, he sold his interest to his 
partner and present proprietor, William 
Shaw; and when the fine brick block on the 
southwest corner of Fourth and B streets was 
being built, he leased a large portion of the 
second story, which was arranged and fitted up 
especially for art rooms under his direction. 
Every one of the several apartments — the recep- 
tion parlor, operating room, dark room, stip- 
pling room, printing room and finishing room — 
is admirably adapted to the particular purpose 
for which it was intended; and being supplied 
with new and latest improved instruments and 
appliances, the Souvenir gallery is one of the 
most complete in the State. Associated with 
him Mr. Piggott has emplo3-ed Mr. N. H. 
Templeman as finisher, and Miss Alice Holman 
as retoucher, both of whom possess superior 
skill in their respective departments, and Mr. 
Piggott, as an operator, has few equals on the 
Pacific coast. He makes a specialty of fine 
portrait work in all its branches, enlarging 
pictures in India ink, crayon or water colors. 
He also executes all classes of scenic work, 
stereoscopic and landscape views, in the highest 
style of the photographic art. His pictures have 
been awarded first prizes for a number of years 
successively at the Sonoma County fairs, and at 
the Sonoma and Marin fair in 1887. Since 
establishing his studio at the present location, 
the volume of Inisiness has steadily increased. 
Mr. Piggott is a native of Sonoma County, born 
twenty-eight years ago at Bodega, in the west- 
ern part of the county, where his father. Dr. A. 
K. Piggott, settled in 1851, and for many years 
enjoyed a large medical practice there. Doctor 
Piggott emigrated from Illinois to California in 
1844, and stopped a year on the American 
River in Placer County, before coming to 
Sonoma. He is now retired from practice and 
resides with his son, the subject of this sketch. 
Mr. Piggott is a past president of the Western 
Star Parlor, No. 28, of the Native Sons of the 



IIISTOliY OF SOXO.UA COUNTY. 



Golden West. He was a charter member of 
the Golden Gate Parlor, No. 29, of that order. 
Hj is a meinhjr of tlie chapter in the Masonic 
order, and of the encampment in the Independ- 
ent Order of Odd Fellows. He served three 
years in the California State militia as a 
member of the Fifth Regiment, infantry. On 
Thanksgiving day, 1885, Mr. Piggott was joined 
in marriacre with Miss Mary Keenan, a native 
of Canada, and daughter of ^Michael and 
Elizabeth Keenan, of Santa Rosa. 



PAVID HARRISON PARKS was born in 
Washington County, Pennsylvania. No- 
vember 25, 1820, his parents being Will- 
iam II. and Sirabeca (Boren) Parks, the former 
a native of Pennsylvania and tlie latter of 
Maryland. William H. Parks was a blacksmitli 
by trade. In 1824 he moved to Ohio and 
located at Bowling Green, Licking County. 
There the subject of this sketch was reared and 
received his education. At the age of thirteen 
years he was employed in a hotel at that place, 
and continued in that employment until eight- 
een years of age. He then served an appren- 
ticeship in the millwright trade for three years, 
after which he devoted a year in attending 
school. In 1842 he went to Marion County 
and engaged in farm labor forjudge Campbell. 
He remained there until 1844, in which year 
lie located in Memphis, Tennessee, where he 
was employed at his trade for some time, and 
then was made superintendent of their mills 
and yards. After a two years' residence in 
Memphis he returned to Marion County. In 
1847 he located in Wabash County, Indiana, 
eneacrino; in milling and at his trade for some 
months. He then returned to Ohio, and 
located in Ross County, where he remained 
until the fall of 1848. In that year he went to 
New Orleans, but subsequently returned to 
Ross County, and from there went to Mahaska 
County, Iowa, and, with Hiram Nutting, 
engaged in millwriicliting. He finally located 



at Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa, where he 
remained until 1850. May 8, 1850, Mr. Parks 
started across the plains for California. Upon 
his arrival at Council Bluffs, May 21, he was 
united in marriage with Miss Catharine Hick- 
man, who with lier lather and family were 
crossing the plains. Her parents were Enoch 
and Mary (Hickman) Hickman. They were 
natives of Kentucky, and descendants of some 
of the oldest families of that state. After this 
marriage, his party, including his wife's people, 
continued their journey across the plains, and 
upon their arrival in California located in Yuba 
County, on the Honcut Creek, about twelve 
miles from Marysville. His fatlier-in-law, Mr. 
Hickman, and himself took up land and engaged 
in fanning. Mr. Parks was also engaged in 
mining, and at times worked at his trade as a 
millwright. In 1853 he moved to Santa Clara 
County and located near San Jose, where he 
engaged in farming and stock raising, but find- 
ing the land titles were very uncertain, and a 
constant source of litigation, he left that county 
and located at Whitlock, Mariposa County. 
There he established a boarding-house, and 
afterward bought out Iloskins' store at that 
place and entered into mercantile pursuits. 
Mr. Parks at this time was possessed of very 
little capital; but he found a good friend in Mr. 
Abe AVilliams, who loaned him all the money 
he needed, and that, too, without any security. 
It is worthy of note that Mr. Parks svas able to 
show his appreciation of this kindness, by doing 
Mr. AVilliams a service that saved him thou- 
sands of dollars. It happened as follows: In 
1855, at the time of the failure of Page, Bacon 
& Co., the great bankers of San Francisco, Mr. 
Parks was in that city purchasing goods. 
Immediately upon this failure being known in 
tlie city, he started for Mariposa County, where 
the bankers had a branch house, and in wiiich 
he knew that his friend, Mr. Williams, had a 
large deposit. His aim was to reach there 
before the regular mails or messengers that 
might be sent. He was successful in his 
under: aking, and his friend was able to secure 



IIIHTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



his money before the notice to snspeiid pay- 
ments reached the brunch house, but in doiiiij; 
it Mr. Parks rode over one hundred miles 
without food or rest, getting breal<fast and 
feeding his tnnlu at Mr. Pli llips's, and 
subsequently continued his journey to his own 
home, twenty miles distant. While in Mari- 
po.sa County, he also established a dairy, find- 
ing a ready sale for the products in the mines. 
In 185() he drove iiis stock to Marin County, 
where he continued his dairy operations until 
.Time, 1858. He then can)e to 8onoma County 
and located in Big Valley, about a mile and a 
half northwest of Bloomfield, where he has 
since continued to reside. Upon his arrival 
tiiere he purchased land and continued his dairy 
business, and also entered largely into general 
farming, making many improvements in build- 
ing, tree planting, etc. Of iiis original 600 
acres, Mr. Parks now (1888) retains but 135 
acres. Upon this he has a fine two-story resi- 
dence, pleasantly located upon high ground, 
which gives an excellent view of the valley 
below. He also has large and well ordered out- 
buildings, all denoting his well earned pros- 
perity and success. With the exception of 
about two and one-half acres devoted to a 
family orchard, his lands are used in the pro- 
duction of hay, grain and stock. Among the 
latter is a small dairy of about twenty cows. 
He also has some fine specimens of draft horses 
of the Norman stock, in which he takes a 
■justly deserved pride. His orchard is very 
productive, and contains a choice variety of 
fruit, com])rising apples, pears, plums and 
cherries. Mr. Parks has also landed interests 
in other sections of the county and State, among 
which is 480 acres of timber land in Salt Point 
Township and 320 acres in Tulare County. In 
1886 Mr. Parks went to that county and 
improved a section of land, which he sold at a 
good, round profit upon his investment. Mr. 
Parks is a progressive, public-spirited citizen, 
esteemed and respected by the community in 
which he has resided for the past thirty years. 
He is a consistent member of the Methodist 



church, and is also one of the prominent school 
trustees of the district, a position he has held 
for over eighteen years. He is a member of 
Vitruvius Lodge, No. 145, F. & A. M.. and is 
a member of Santa Rosa Chapter, No. 45. In 
political matters lie is a strong Republican, and 
was a strong supporter of the Union in the dark 
days of the Rebellion. From the marriage of Mr. 
and Mr. Parks there arc si.\ children living, 
viz.: Mary Ellen, who married William Mc- 
Keen (since deceased), and who is now living 
in Marin County; William W., residing in 
Fresno County; Enoch IL, living in Mendocino 
County; John F., who is also residing in the 
latter county; Maria Catherine, who married 
Henry Greyson, residing in Green Valley, and 
Lottie May, residing at home. The second 
child, Samantha E., married Mr. 11. Coburn. 
She died in 1880, leaving three children. 
Brewer A., Caroline C, and Lawrence. These 
children are being reared and schooled by Mr. 
Parks. 



-^^^ 



i^-7^ 



^mXDREW BOUTON, proprietor of the 
vy "Heart's Desire" Nursery, Washington 
~r~^ Township, is a native of Cortland County, 
New York, born April 10, 1831, and a son of 
Nathan and Maria (Gee) Bouton. The family 
is an old one in this country, and his great- 
grandfather (on his father's side) was a soldier 
in the Revolutionary war. P)oth parents were 
natives of the Empire State, and the father who 
had a good farm, was also a surveyor and school 
teacher. Andrew Bouton was reared in his 
native county. At the age of twenty-one years 
he went to Steuben County and, in 1858, si.x 
years later, came to California. He chose the 
Panama route, and landed at San Francisco 
June 28, 1858. He proceeded to Marysville, 
remained there two months, and then went to 
Napa Valley to take charge of the Oak Knoll 
orchard. Here his experience in the fruit and 
nursery business in New York State stood him 
in good stead. For seven years he had control 



HISTORy OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



of the orchard, and for the last two years of that 
time, of tlie entire Oak Knoll farm.. After 
severing his connection therewith, he engaged 
in tlie business of pruning, grafting and hand- 
ling the fruit from small orcliards in the neigh- 
borhood. He was thus employed until 1868, 
when he came to Sonoma County and located 
on the ranch where he now resides, and which 
he had previously purchased. This ranch con- 
tains 120 acres of land, and is situated on the 
main highway between Cloverdale and Healds- 
burg, four and three-fourth miles north of the 
Southern place. Ten acres of the place is taken 
up by tlie Heart's Desire Nursery, which is 
the especial pride of Mr. Bouton, and which is 
a credit to him and to the county. The nursery 
was started on a small scale, in 1868, and did 
not attain large proportions until 1883, when 
Mr. Bouton decided to make it one of the im- 
portant factors in his business. He has made 
no attempt to repeat here the experiment so 
often attempted, of keeping in stock all varieties 
of fruit trees whether suited to the climate or 
not, but instead contines his business to such 
trees as his experience and observation have 
shown him to be best adapted to the soil and 
climate of the territory in which he sells. Two 
other important rules adopted by Mr. Bouton 
are the selection and use of the best and most 
hardy roots, and tiie use of the best systems of 
grafting known. He puts out seedlings, graft- 
ing (not budding) them below ground, with the 
view of having the graft take root. The root 
which it has been grafted ontcJ drops off, and 
the entire tree and its roots will be from the 
graft. While the splendid reputation which the 
nursery has acquired has made a market for 
most of its products in Sonoma County, es- 
pecially the territory tributary to Healdsburg, 
Geyserville and Cloverdale, yet Mr. Bouton 
does considerable wholesaling, and supplies nur- 
series and fruit growers at more remote points. 
Some 25,000 trees are sold each year, though 
the sale sometimes reaches figures considerably 
higher. Mr. Bouton has also an orchard of 
twenty-five acres, the trees ranging in age from 



seven to twenty years, and all in bearing. There 
are twelve acres in cherries, ten acres in plums, 
prunes and peaches, and the remainder in apples. 
All these fruits have done splendidly, and yield 
abundantly. The Centennial cherries raised in 
the orchard are wonderful in size and beautiful 
in appearance. Mr. Bouton has cleared off ten 
acres of land which he will plant to cheri-ies in 
the spring of 1889, and this acreage will be 
added to. The rest of the place is now pastured. 
Tiie handsome residence which adorns the place 
was erected in 1885. It is elegant in design 
and very commodious. Mr. Bouton has been 
identified with the Republican party since its 
organization, but he is strongly inclined to the 
enforcement of prohibition, being an ardent 
temperance worker. He is a member of the 
Presbyterian church of Healdsburg. He is 
secretary of the Geyserville lodge of Good Tem- 
plars, No. 166, and has been lodge deputy for 
three years. 



ffAMES H. CURTIS has a ranch of fifty 
I acres just south of Healdsburg, which he 
purchased in 1866, moving on to it in No- 
vember of that year. The place is devoted to 
fruit culture and general farming. About 
twenty acres are planted to peaches, pears, 
plums, prunes, apples and other fruits, such as 
blackberries, raspberries, currants and goose- 
berries. The laud is especially adapted to fruit 
culture. He finds a market for all his fruit in 
the canneries of Plealdsburg, with the exception 
of some apples, which are shipped to San Fran- 
cisco. About eight acres are usually devoted 
to corn, which yields between fifty and sixty 
bushels to the acre, and never less than forty 
bushels. The alfalfa, of which his average crop 
is six acres, is cut twice a year, the two cut- 
tings turning out about four tons per acre, the 
land being then in good condition for pasturage. 
Mr. Curtis is a native of Connecticut, born at 
Simsbury, Hartford County, June 12, 1825. his 
parents being Timothy and Sarah (McComb) 



HI8T0RT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



479 



Curtis. The latter was a descendant of General 
McCoinb, and her father was an officer in the 
United States navy. Tlie grandfather of Mr. 
Curtis, on his fatlier's side, was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary war, and his father was a farmer. 
James H. Curtis was reared in his native town 
to the age of fifteen years, when he went to 
New York City, and secured a situation as 
cleriv in a grocery store. He was afterward 
engaged in butchering. In the spring of 1848 
he returned to Connecticut, and a few months 
later went to Madison County, Illinois, locating 
in the American Bottom. He had but forty- 
one cents in capital, and in tiie fall of 1849 
hired out at $10 per month. In the spring of 
1850 he worked for fifty cents a day, and later 
rented some land and raised a crop of corn. 
After two years there he settled on a farm on 
Looking Glass Prairie, when he continued to rent 
land, raising corn, cattle, horses and mules. In 
the spring of 1854 he went East and spent 
the most of the season, having at this time 
accumulated over $7,000. In the spring 
of 1855 he started to California, making a part 
of the journey alone, and as far as Kearney, 
Nebraska, was in company with another wagon 
containing four Frenchmen. From Kearney to 
Green River there was quite a train, but from 
there to California there were but two wagons 
in his jiarty. They came b}' way of Sublett's 
Cut-off and Grass Valley to Stockton, thence to 
Merced County, wliere he located on Merced 
River, in 1858 he removed to Smith's ranch, 
near Bodega, and engaged in dairying and 
farming. He was employed tliere until coming 
to his present location in 1866. Mr. Curtis 
has been twice married. His first wife, whom 
he married in New York City, was formerly 
Miss Eleanor Gallaway. His present wife was 
a widow, Mrs. Sarah Green, nee Miss Sarah 
Newman, daughter of Thomas and Martha 
Newman, of Oakfield, Perry County, Ohio, who 
has one son by her first marriage, James Green. 
Mr and Mrs. Curtis liave two children, Edson 
and George. Air. ('urtis is politically a Repub- 
lican. He is a member of the Methodist Epis- 



copal church, and is a steward and trustee of 
the local congregation. He also belong.s to the 
local lodge of Odd Fellows, and has passed 
through all the chairs in subordinate lodge and 
encampment. He became a member of the 
Mechanics Lodge, New York City, in 1846. 
May 12, 1888, he visited Mechanics Lodge, and 
the brethren gave liim a hearty welcome. 



Wmm S. M. WRIGHT.— Among California^ 
fMml P'<J'^6^i's of '^9' ^"d tli6 early settlers 

l-c^^ ® of Santa Rosa. Valley, is the well 
known gentleman whose name heads this sketch. 
Mr. Wright was born in Boone County. Mis- 
souri, in 1822. His father, Sampson Wright, 
was a native of Virginia, in early life went to 
Tennessee, and in 1818 located in Boone Coun- 
ty, Missouri. His mother, Elizabeth (Mullens) 
Wright, was a native of Tennessee. Mr. 
Wright was reared as a farmer, receiving only 
such an education as was afforded in the jnoneer 
schools. Early in life he commenced to care 
for himself and while a youtii of fifteen years 
was engaged in trading in stock, etc. At the 
age of twent}' he began farming in Lawrence 
County, Missouri, to which county his father 
had moved a few years before. In 1845 Mr. 
Wright was married in Lawrence County to 
Miss Sarah i^>oone. She was the daughter of 
Nathan Boone, and granddaughter of the his- 
torical pioneer of Kentucky — Daniel Boone. 
In 1849 the subject of this sketch came over- 
land to California and located at Marysville. 
After a visit to the mines he established a 
freighting line, transporting supplies to the 
miners, and also trading and selling goods in 
the mining districts. He continued these en- 
terprises until the fall of 1850 in which year he 
returned, via New York, to his Missouri home. 
He remained there until the spring of 185;i and 
then began his second journey across the plains, 
this time bringing with him his family and be- 
ing accompanied by his father and mother. He 
also brought about 400 head of cattle. Upon 



HISTORY OP aONOMA COUNTY. 



his arrival in California he located in Sonoma 
Count}', October 22, 1853, occupying land and 
taking np his residence about on", and a half 
miles west of Santa Rosa, where he has since 
resided. Mr. Wright made an extensive pur- 
chase of land and entered largely into stock- 
growing and general farming, owning 4,500 
acres of land in this county. He also engaged 
in mining operations at a later date in Arizcjna 
and Mexico. Mrs. Wright died in 1859, and 
in 1861 Mr. Wright was united in marriage 
with Mrs. Jarena -(Brown) Clark, a resident of 
Solano County and the widow of Thomas Clark, 
a native of Tennessee. Mrs. Wright was born 
in Virginia and reared in Missouri. Mr. 
AVriglit has large landed interests in Sonoma 
Connty and in other sections of the State. His 
home farm, the place on which he iirst settled 
after his arrival in the county, contains 960 
acres of rich and productive valley land. With 
the exception of ten acres of orchard and vine- 
yard, it is devoted entirely to hay, grain and 
stock. Among the stock are 140 head of cat- 
tle, including a dairy of ninety cows, and 
twenty-tive horses. Of the latter he has some 
fine specimens of draft horses from Norman 
stock, and roadsters from the " Whippleton '' 
stock. The improvements upon this magniti- 
cent farm are first-class in every respect. A 
large two-story residence, commodious barns, 
dairy and out-buildings attest the successful 
farmer. Mr. Wright owns 260 acres of land in 
Lake County, upon which is located the famous 
Saratoga Springs. He also owns a fine farm of 
160 acres in the same county. During his resi- 
dence of thirty-five years in Sonoma County 
Mr. Wright has been identified with its best 
interests, and has aided in many ways the de- 
velopment of its resources. He is a consistent 
member of the Presbyterian church, and an 
earnest supporter of churches and schools. He 
was one of the founders of the Pacific Method- 
ist College at Santa Rosa, and has served for 
many years as a school trustee in his district. 
Politically he is a Democrat and in former years 
took a leading part in tlie aftairs of his party. 



In 1874 and 1875 he was a member of the State 
Legislature. From his fii-st marriage Mr. 
Wright has two children living, Sampson and 
Mahala. The latter married J. E. Hall, who is 
now (1888) IT. S. Liternal Revenue Collector, 
residing in Santa Rosa. Sampson Wright is 
engaged in mercantile pursuits in Santa Rosa, 
having an extensive furniture and carpet store 
on B street, between Third and Fourth streets. 
He is the father of two children: Lathrop 
Boone and Girault Scott. 



4H^ 



HOMAS MORDECAL — Among the 
prominent business houses of Petaluina 
?^^ is found the boot and shoe house of Mr. 
Thomas Mordecai, the leading dealer in his line 
in the city. Mr. Mordecai is a native of the 
town of Cowbridge, South Wales, near Cardift", 
where he was born August 13, 1851. He came 
to California in March, 1875, making his way 
almostdirectlyto Petaluma, wherehe has resided 
ever since, and has been engaged in his present 
business. For the first year he was in partner- 
ship with another, but then started for himself. 
He has occupied his present commodious quar- 
ters for the past four yeai's, having one of the 
finest sites on Main street, opposite Western 
avenue. Here he carries on a general business 
in boots and shoes and other goods of a similar 
line. Mr. Mordecai was married December 15, 
1881, to Miss Eva Rachel Barlow, the daughter 
of S. Q. Barlow, a well-known and highly 
esteemed ranchman of Two Rock Valley, near 
this city, a sketch of whose life appears else- 
where in this volume. They have two children, 
a boy and a girl, both little children. Mrs. 
Mordecai is a native of Ellensville, New York, 
where she was born April 17, 1861. Mr. Mor- 
decai is a Republican of staunch principles and 
a b.eliever in the suitable protection of American 
industries. He is strongly in love with the 
State of California, and especially with Peta- 
luma, his chosen home. He is a gentleman of 
pleasant manners, irreproachable character, and 



HISTORY OF tiONOMA COUNTY. 



is a valued and popular member of society. 
The nauaes of his children are Fanny Elizabeth 
and William Barlow. 



fDWARD WEGMER.— Among Sonoma's 
most enterprising and successful business 
men is the gentleman whose name heads 
this sketch. He is the proprietor of the only 
drug store in Sonoma Valley, and is the only 
skilled druggist and chemist in Sonoma. This 
establishment is located on the west side of the 
plaza on the corner of Napa and First streets. 
The tine two-story adobe building, located on a 
lot 300x165 feet, has been substantially fitted 
up by Mr. Wegner, and his store, which occu- 
pies the south end of the building, is perfect in 
all its appointments. In addition to his busi- 
ness as a druggist, Mr. Wegner combines that 
of a general merchandise store, carrying a well- 
selected and first-class stock of such goods as the 
requirements of Sonoma Valley demand. His 
enterprise in this matter is well rewarded, as he 
is well patronized by the community. A brief 
sketch of Mr. Wegner's life is of interest, 
showing as it does, how success has been 
wrought by intelligent industry, combined with 
straightforward, honest dealings with his fellow- 
men. Mr. Wegner is a native of Bei'lin, Ger- 
many, and dates his birth November 30, 1837. 
His father, Gustav Wegner, was also a native of 
Germany. The subject of this sketch was 
reared in the city of his birth, receiving a 
liberal education in the excellent schools of his 
native place until seventeen years of age, when 
he was apprenticed to the trades of a master 
mason, carpenter and architect. He worked 
diligently at these callings until twenty years 
old, and then entered the scientific schools to 
perfect himself in chemical studies. After a 
thorough course in various scientific branches, 
he left Germany in 18G0, and proceeded to 
South America, locating in Chili. There he 
was engaged in various occupations, and finally 
was employeil as a druggist and chemist in Val- 



paraiso until 1863. At that time he was offered 
employment by the well-known firm of Gode- 
froy & Co., of San PVancisco, as an architect 
and builder in the building up of a town and 
trading station in Eastern Siberia, near Nik- 
olaevsk. Mr. Wegner at once went to Siberia, 
where he was engaged for some time, but the 
building operations of the company were finally 
abandoned, and he left that place and went to 
Hong-Kong, where he was engaged by the same 
company as a clerk in their commission house 
at that point. In 1867 he came to San Fran- 
cisco and some months later to Sonoma County. 
Locating in Sonoma, he established himself as 
a druggist. Finding the demands for drugs 
and chemicals rather limited, he gra<iually in- 
creased his business until he now has the fine 
establishment already described. For more 
than twenty years Mr. Wegner has been identi- 
fied with the business interests of Sonoma. He 
is well known throughout the valley and has 
made hosts of friends. He has been a member 
of the board of trustees of the city of Sonoma 
since its incorporation in 1883, and was the first 
president of the board. Politically he is a 
Democrat. In 1878 Mr. Wegner was united in 
marriage with Miss Julia Brandt, a native of 
Germany, but resident of San Francisco. From 
this marriage there are two children living: 
Lydia and Frieda. 



fEORGE W. HUNTLY was born in Jef- 
ferson County, New York, March 4, 1838, 
his parents being Jason and Hannah 
(Consaul) Huntly, both natives of New York. 
Mr. Huntly's father was a carriage-maker and 
farmer. The early life of the subject of this 
sketch was spent mostly upon his father's farm, 
receiving at the same time fair educational fa- 
cilities. When sixteen years of age he went to 
Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio, where one of his 
brothers was living. Tiiere he entered a 
machine shop and worked as a machinist for 
over two years, after which he was engaged as 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



an engineer on a ferry-boat. In 1858 Mr. 
Huntly, being desirous of a change and wishing 
to see more of the woi'ld than his short travels 
had afforded, went to New York and thence by 
steamer route to California, arriving in San 
Francisco in March of that year. Soon after his 
arrival he went to Yuba County, where he was 
engaged in mining operations until 1863. In 
that year he came to Sonoma County, locating 
at Valley Ford, where he was engaged as an en- 
gineer in the steam ilouring mills of Thomas 
Smith. Here he seems to have found an occu- 
pation and location suited to his tastes, for he 
continued that occupation until 1S7(X when he 
purchased a half interest in the mills. After 
this purchase they were under his control and 
management. In 1870 he married Miss Lucilc 
Button, a native of Ohio. At the time of her 
marriage her parents, Keed and Emily (Culver) 
Diitton, were residents of Valley Ford. Mr. 
Iluntly continued the successful management of 
his mill until 1882. In that year he sold out 
and purchased a tine orchard property of eighty 
acres at Sebastopol on the Bodega road, taking 
up his residence thereon. He has a magnificent 
orchard of seventy acres in extent, containing 
some of the finest varieties of fruit grown in 
the county, among which are plums, apples, 
peaches, pears, apricots, cherries and French 
prunes. He also devotes considerable attention 
to beri-y cultivation, and has six and a-half acres 
containing blackberries, raspberries and cur- 
rants. These berries grow and give a large 
yield, although they are never irrigated. Mr. 
Huntly early saw that a profit was to be gained 
in drying his own fruit. He therefore, in 1883, 
built a dryer of the most approved order. It 
has a capacity of six tons per day of green 
fruit, and thus he is enabled to care for and dry 
such fruit as the orchards in his vicinity have to 
dispose of, in addition to the products of his 
own orchard. He is a thorough business man 
and has achieved a success in this enterprise as 
is well attested when the fact is known that his 
dryer is always running to its full capacity 
throughout the whole fruit season. The prod- 



ucts of this dryer being first-class in every re- 
spect, find ready sale at the highest market 
prices. There is no man in Analy and Bodega 
townships better or more widely known than 
Mr. Huntly, nor is there one whose long 
business associations with the farmers and fruit- 
growers has commanded more respect for 
honest, upright and straightforward dealing. 
Not only in these townships, but throughout 
the county, Mr. Huntly is well known and re- 
spected. Never seeking office, he still has ex- 
erted a beneficial influence in the ranks of his 
party. He is a consistent Republican and a 
progressive citizen, and has always been 
identified with an}' enterprise that tended to 
advance the interests of the community in which 
he resided. His support has always been 
heartily given to schools and churches. He is 
a school trustee in the Laguna school district, 
and also served in a like capacity for years while 
living at Valley Ford. Mr. Huntly is a mem- 
ber of Lafayette Lodge, No. 126, F. & A. M., 
of Sebastopol. His wife is a member of the 
Sebastopol Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. 
Mr. and Mrs. Huntly are the parents of seven 
children, viz.: George W., Mary Maud, Mabel 
Emily, Frank, Albert, Gertrude and Garfield. 



fOHN T. PETERS, proprietorof the Mervyn 
Hotel at Glen Ellen, came to California at 
the age of eleven years with his father, 
John Peters, who settled on -lOO acres of land, 
a part of the " Blucher Ranch " west of Santa 
Rosa, in Two Rock Valley, late in the year of 
1853. John Peters was born in Washington 
County, Kentucky; was reared on alarm and 
followed the vocation of a farmer all through 
his life. He served under General Harrison in 
the war of 1812. His wife was formerly Miss 
Elizabeth Peters, who, though bearing the same 
name, was not a relative. For a number of 
years Mr. Peters made his home in Indiana, 
where several of his eldest children were born. 
Later he returned to Kentucky, remaining there 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



until 1844, at which time he moved to Andrew 
County, Missouri, engaging in farming there 
until 1853. In the spring of that year, with 
his wife and six children, he joined and made a 
part of a splendidly equipped train consisting 
of twenty-one wagons and 1,000 head of stock, 
destined for California. Reaching Sonoma 
County, the Peters family spent their first night 
in camp upon the old " Sears Ranch," west of 
Sonoma, on the west hank of Sonoma Creek, in 
the month of November. From there he pro- 
ceeded to his future home in Two Rock Valley, 
Analy Township. Long years of litigation fol- 
lowed his settlement before he wa? able to 
secure a perfect title to his property. Mr. 
Peters was bereaved by the death of his estima- 
ble wife not long after coming to this State, her 
death occurring in 1855, at the age of fifty-two 
years. She was the mother of fifteen children, 
ten of whom lived to come to California with or 
before her, and who were all present at her 
burial, and who, with the exception of Silas, 
the eldest, who died at Selma, Fresno County, 
in August, 1888, are at this writing living. 
Their father lived to the age of seventy-two 
years. He was a man of sterling worth, pos- 
sessed of much energy, and was highly esteemed 
and respected by all who knew him. Of his 
children, Merriman and Hartford live at Stock- 
ton; Jordan, in Del Norte County; Horace, in 
Santa Clara County; Samuel, in Washington 
Territory; John T., in Glen Ellen; Mrs. Mar- 
garet White, a widow, lives in Denver, Color- 
ado; Elizabeth, wife of A. A. Walker, is a 
resident of Washington Territory; Nancy, wife 
of George W. Cofer, resides in Salina County. 
John T. Peters, whose name heads this sketch, 
was born in Washington County, Kentucky, 
June 11, 1842. His childhood, from two to 
eleven years of age, was spent in Andrew 
County, Missouri. After the family settled in 
this count}' in 1853, he remained at home assist- 
ing in the work of improving the large family 
homestead until he reached his twenty-first 
year. He then went to Virginia City and 
worked in a quai-tz mill until called home by his 



father's death, which occurred a few months 
later. A year or so after the death of his 
father, he took charge of a force of Chinamen 
on the Central Pacific Railroad at Dutch Flat, 
camp 22. Returning to Sonoma County he 
spent nine years in steamboat traffic on San 
Francisco Bay, and in the employ of the Pacific 
Coast Steamship Company in the San Diego 
and Oregon trade, and later was two years on 
the line between San Francisco and Stockton. 
In 1879 Mr. Peters entered the employ of Peter 
Donahue in the construction of the Sonoma 
Valley Railroad. He had charge of the con- 
struction of the line between Sonoma and Glen 
Ellen. Later he was a conductor on the finished 
road, and still later, assistant superintendent 
with headquarters at Sonoma. Resigning his 
position in February, 1885, he erected and 
opened the Mervyn Hotel, a favorite resort at 
the beautiful picturesque •village of Glen Ellen, 
where he yet dispenses hospitality to all who 
are so fortunate as to be able to become his 
guest. In 1872 Mr. Peters married Miss Nora 
O'Sullivan, at San Francisco. Mrs. Peters was 
born at Jersey City. She is the mother of 
seven children, of whom five are living: Mattie, 
Leland S., who died at the age of ten years; 
Nellie, James T., who died in infancy; Nora, 
John F., and William. Mr. Peters is a mem- 
ber of Temple Lodge, No. 14, F. & A. M., at 
Sonoma. In politics, since the election of 
Abraham Lincoln, he has been identified with 
the Republican party. 






BKV. T. H. B. ANDERSON, D. D., was 
born in Grundy County, Missouri, May 
26, 1842. His father, Josiah Anderson, 
who was born in Kentucky in 1805; went to 
Missouri in 1836; came to California in 1849; 
returned to Missouri in 1851, and in 1858 
brought his family to California, where both he 
and his wife died in 1867 and 1870 respectivelj'. 
They had nine children, six daughters and three 
sons. The eldest son, and subject of this sketch, 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



is a self-educated man, never having attended 
school after he was fifteen years old. In 1865- 
'66 he studied law and recited his lessons to 
Hon. J. W. Coffroth, of Sacramento. He was 
ready for admission to the Supreme Court, but 
refused to go further, preferring the ministry, 
having studied law to supplement deficiencies 
in early training. He began preaching in 18()2, 
in Butte County, and his work in the ministry 
lias been confined to California, with a brief ex- 
ception. The doctor says he believes in Cali- 
fornia and her people, and expects to live and 
die here. He has traveled circuits, districts, 
and filled stations at Grass Valley, San P^ran- 
cisco, Sacramento, Colusa, and Santa Rosa. The 
degree of D. D. was conferred upon him by the 
Military College of Kentucky in 1881. He has 
been Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of F. 
& A. M. of California for three years; Grand 
Orator one year; Clrairman of the Committee 
on Foreign Correspondence, writing the reports 
of the Grand Lodge; and Chaplain of the Leg- 
islature during Governor Haight's administra- 
tion. He has been twice elected delegate to 
the General Conference of the church. Dr. 
Anderson is now^ President of the board of 
trustees of the Pacific Metliodist College of 
Santa Rosa, California, and has been president 
pro tem. of the same. He is now its financial 
agent, in which capacity he has done good work. 
He is pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
Soutii, in Santa Rosa, and tliat his ministerial 
labors are appreciated is evinced by the fact 
that he ahvays has a full house, and during the 
past year he has had seventy-three accessions to 
the church. He works six hours every day in 
his study, beginning at 8 a. m., and then writes 
and reads from 8 p. m. until near midnight. He 
preaches more sermons than any minister in 
his conference, and also frequently lectures. Dr. 
Anderson is a hard student and an inveterate 
worker. Possessing a highly wrought nervous 
temperament, he has one of those bright, scin- 
t Hating minds, that, like the charged dynamo, 
is ever ready when touclied to emit an electric 
spark. Li conversation he is ready and en- 



tertaining; is exceptionally affable and frater- 
nal in manner, and as a writer and pulpit orator 
has few equals on this coast. Dr. Anderson 
was married April 23, 1867, to Miss Sarah 1. 
Brooks, of Marysville, California. They have a 
family of three daughters and two sons. 

JgilRAM B. HASBROUCK— There is no 
|n^; one wlio is more universally respected 
'^M or enjoys a more prominent position in 
the afi^ections of his fellow men tiian he who is 
mentioned in this sketch, an old pioneer of So- 
noma County and a large and successful farmer 
and stock-raiser of Petaluma Township. Hiram 
B. Hasbrouck is a native of Sullivan Cuunty, 
New York, born February 4, 1829. Regarding 
the ancestry of his family, we find they were 
originally from Holland, his great-grandfather 
having emigrated to this country some time 
before the Revolution. His father, Isaiah Has- 
brouck, was a native of Ulster County, New 
York, and after he became a young man, moved 
into Sullivan County. He was married there to 
Elizabeth Eller, a native of the same county, 
where they made their home on a farm until their 
deatiis. They reared a family of four sous and 
five daughters, of whom one is deceased, and 
four are residing in this State. The children 
are as follows: Benjamin, residing in Ulster 
County, New York; Caroline Hasbrouck, living 
in Fallsburg, Sullivan County, New York; Mrs. 
Agnes Broadhead, of the same place; Mrs. Maria 
Forshay,who came to California and died in Peta- 
luma; Hiram B., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. 
Elizabeth Hoyte, of Yerka, Siskiyou County, 
California; John Hasbrouck, residing near Ne- 
vada City, Nevada County; Augustus, of San 
Francisco; and Celia Hasbrouck, a resident of 
Fallsburg, New York. Hiram B. was reared 
in Sullivan County, New York, and made his 
home with his parents until he was twenty-six 
years old. His education was received during 
the winter months at the district scliools of his 
neigiiborhood, and when he was twenty-one he 



niSTVRY OF .SOSOMA COUNTY. 



atteiideil one term at'aii academy. November 
5, 1855, be left Sullivan County, for California, 
sailingfroin New York on the old steamer 6^(?«»'(/<? 
LaiL\ which name was afterward changed to Cen- 
tral America, and the steamer was lost at sea 
during a heavy gale. He made the passage via 
Panama and landed in San Francisco November 
29th of that year, after a journey of twenty-four 
days from the time he left home. The next 
day after arriving he went to the mines of 
Placer Count}', near Auburn, on the iVmerican 
River. He, with two others, bought out a bar 
claim which he worked two summers with fair 
success when he sold out his interest, and in 

1857 came to Sonoma County and bought out 
the ranch where he now lives, on the 9th day 
of March of that year. During the summer of 

1858 he was affected by the Fraser liiver ex- 
citement; so to satisfy his desires in this respect 
he sailed from San Francisco on the 7th of July, 
and after arriving there mined until the follow- 
ing November, when, becoming satisfied that 
the country had been over-rated, he returned 
again to San Francisco, arriving there on 
Thanksgiving day. He then devoted his atten- 
tion to the cultivation of his farm, which he 
rented a part of the time up to 1864 when he 
made a visit to his native State. Taking the 
Nicaragua route, he missed the steamer at Vir- 
gin Bay and was obbged to lay over at that 
place four weeks until the next steamer sailed 
for New York. He arrived in the latter place 
January 8, 1865. After spending some time 
in visiting around his old home, he made a 
traveling expedition through some of the west- 
ern States; was in Chicago when the news came 
of Lee's surrender, and in liuflalo on the arrival 
of Lincoln's funeral train during tiie last days 
of April. Not being desirous of returning to 
the far off Pacific coast single handed he decided 
to bring with him a partner, one that would be 
a companion and a help-mate to him through 
life and would cause a California sun to shine 
with a brighter glow than ever before, and to 
introduce a new life into his household such as 
he had never seen before. He found such a 



partner in Miss A. Celia Hill, to whom he was 
wedded at Fremont, Sullivan County, New 
York, on the 14th day of August, 1865, and 
on the same day started with his bride, leavinc 
New York on the 16th and arriving in San 
Francisco on the 8th of September. He took 
up his residence in Petalnma where he lived for 
several years. On the 24th of January, 1874, 
his wife died and in Febi-uai-y following he 
made another trip East. His father hail died 
and, after settling up the estate, he returned to 
California bringing with him his sister Maria 
who died in Petaluma. In the summer of 1874 
Mr. Hasbrouck returned to his ranch where he 
now resides. This ranch contains about 300 
acres, devoted to stock-raising and general farm- 
ing. There is a fine orchard on the place that 
is now more than thirty years old. Mr. Has- 
brouck is a Kniglit Templar, beloTiging to the 
Mt. Olivet Commandeiy, No. 20, of Petaluma. 
He has one son, Sherman A., born October 11, 
1867. 



|^[EORGE W. HARMON has a ranch of ten 
Ifeff '^^''68 a mile and a half from Healdsburg, 
=sif-i as the road runs, but considerably less 
than that in a direct line. He purchased the 
place in 1883, and removed on to it in April of 
that year. Of this place eight acres are planted 
to tree fruits, the trees having been set out in 
the spring of 1884. The majority are French 
prunes, the remainder being divided between 
Honest Abe and Early Crawford peaches, Bart- 
lett and Winter Nellis pears, Coe's Golden 
Drop, Yellow Egg and Jefferson plums, Black 
Tartarian, Na])oleon, Bigerean and Centennial 
cherries. The peaches are in bearing, as are 
also the prunes, but not fully. He also has 
half an acre in strawberries, besides blackberries 
and raspberries. About an acre is usually de- 
voted to alfalfa. Mr. Harmon is a native of 
Indiana, born in Floyd County, September 9, 
1842, and son of Matthias and Nancy (Edel- 
niann) Harmon. Both parents were natives of 



HlaroKY OF SONOMA COUNT y. 



Indiana, and representatives of early settler 
families. Our subject was reared in his native 
county and resided there until 1864, when lie 
removed to Hendricks County, Indiana, and a 
year later to McDonough County, Illinois. 
There he resided tliree years, then removed to 
Hamburg, Fremont County, Iowa, and after re- 
maining there one winter, removed to Atchison 
County, Missouri, where he resided four years. 
In the spring of 1872 the family removed to 
California, locating at Visalia. Two years later 
they removed to Kernville, Kern County, where 
Mr. Harmon was amalgamator in the Senator 
J. P. Jones Mill, of eighty stamps, for four 
years. They then removed to Pierce County, 
Tacoma, and Mr. Harmon conducted a hop field, 
ten miles from Tacoma, until 1882, after which 
he went back to Indiana. From there they 
came to their present location. Mr. Harmon 
was married in Floyd County, Indiana, October 
2C), 1864, to Miss Sarah Teaford, a native of 
that county, and daughter of Jacob and Phebe 
(Hickman) Teaford. They have three children: 
Clara, Oliver, and Mabel. Mr. Harmon was a 
soldier in the Union army, having enlisted in 
New Albany, Indiana, in July, 1861, and was 
mustered in July 12, in Company C, Tweuty- 
thiid Indianalnfantry. The regiment proceeded 
to Indianapolis, where they went into camp, and 
a few months later went to St. Louis, where 
they were in barracks over a month, and thence 
were sent to Paducah, Kentucky, where they 
were first engaged, and ne.\t at Bolivar, Tennes- 
see. He served all through the Shiloh cam- 
paign, and was engaged at Pittsburg Landing, 
second day's tight, under Wallace. Then went 
to Corinth, and was in the Yicksbnrg campaign. 
In the movements about the beleaguered city he 
toCJk an active part and participated in the bat- 
tles of Champion Hills, Chickasaw, Raymond, 
etc. At Champion Hills he served under Mc- 
Pherson, and was one of those who cut the 
breastworks to let the artillery in, and drove in 
the skirmishers. During the assault on the 
works at Vicksburg he was in the charge on 
Fort Hill immediately after the explosion. 



After the capture of the city, the regiment 
camped for a time in Vicksburg, and there vet- 
eranized, the members returning to Indiana on 
a thirty days' furlough. Rendezvousing at 
Corinth, the regiment started on a march to 
Atlanta, and took jjart in all that campaign 
with its many skirmishes and battles. He pro- 
ceeded with his command beyond the Chatta- 
hoochie River, and on the 27th of July went to 
Marietta, where he took cars for Chattanooga, 
turned over his equipment, and was there mus- 
tered out July 28, 1864. From there he went 
to Louisville, Kentucky, thence to Indianapolis, 
where he received his pay and went home. Mr. 
Harmon is a member of the G. A. R., and of 
the I. O. O. F., in which he has passed all the 
chairs. Politically, he is a Republican. 



ILLIAM D. JONES.— This gentleman. 
I who is one of the pioneers of Calilbrnia, 
having crossed the plains by ox teams 
in 1849, is one of the best known and highly 
esteemed citizens of Sonoma County. He was 
born in 1825 in Oneida County, New York. 
In 1837 liis parents removed to Ohio, taking 
him with them. He lived there until the spring 
of 1846 when he answered the call for men by 
enlisting lor service during the Mexican war. 
He was a member of an independent horse com- 
pany, and was engaged as mail escort, carrying 
dispatches, etc., and took part in many skir- 
mishes, and was present at the fiercely fought 
battle of Buena Vista. The company was known 
as Captain J. R. Duncan's Ohio Mounted 
Volunteers. After the close of the war Mr. 
Jones determined to come to California, and 
came across the plains in 1849, as has been 
already stated. Until the year 1852 he mined, 
meeting with pretty good success. This was in 
El Dorado County. In the summer of tliat year 
he came to Sonoma County and selected a 
superior ranch just west of Bloomfield. He 
still owns the same farm, a fine fertile stretch 
of 1.120 acres, and devoted to grain and dairy 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



farming. He continued upon tliis farm, bring- 
ing it to a high state of cultivation, until 1884, 
when he removed with liis family to Petaluma, 
where he is now enjoying the evening of life in 
comfort. Ilis comfortable home has one of the 
best locations in the city, being situated on the 
summit of the hill on wJiich is the Baptist 
chui'ch, and commands an extensive and beauti- 
ful prospect overlooking the city and the whole 
expanse of the Petaluma Valley. Mr. Jones 
was married April 30, 1856, to Miss Susan 
Carroll, the sister of Messrs. James and Patrick 
Carroll, well known and popular old settlers at 
Bloomfield. They have six children, three sons 
and three daughters. Their names are Walter, 
Carroll, AVilliam, Mary, Martha, and Clara. Mr. 
Jones is a Kepublican of life long .standing, 
having been one of those who assisted in organiz- 
ing that grand old party in this State in the early 
days. He is an extensive land-owner in Marin 
and Mendocino counties as well as in this, and is 
looked upon as a leading and representative man. 

tOWRY B. HALL, deceased. One of the 
early settlers of Santa Rosa Township M'as 
the gentleman whose name heads this 
sketch. He was born in 1820 in Kentucky, 
and was a descendant of one of the pioneer 
families of that State. He was reared on a farm 
and followed the occupation of farming through 
life. About the time he reached his majority 
he wedded Miss Elizabeth Holland and settled 
down to the quiet life of an agriculturist in 
Barren County, that State; but, being seized 
with the fever of emigration, we record thnt in 
1852 he moved to Greene County, Missouri, 
with his wife and six children, remaining there 
until 1857. In that year he started with his 
family, then consisting of wife and eight chil- 
dren, on the overland journey to this sunny and 
beautiful land, reaching Santa Rosa without 
serious mishap or unusual delay. Mr. Hall 
lived in the Wright school district about two 
years, and in 1859 he purchased 200 acres of 



land and commenced the improvement of a home 
of his own. Later he added to his purchase and 
became the owner of a splendid ranch on the nld 
Santa Rosa and Sebastopol road, where he lived 
until 1873. At that time he sold out and moved 
into the city of Santa Rosa, where he spent a 
few years of quiet life, and in 1879 again bought 
a country home on Santa Rosa Creek, three miles 
west of the city, there spending the remainder 
of his life, his death occurring in the spring of 
1883, attlie age of sixty-three years. His widow 
was not destined to battle with life alone, for in 
a few days she was laid by his side, her age at 
death being tifty-eight years. The worthy and 
respeced couple are well remembered by hosts 
of friends, and their memory is cherished by a 
large family of children and grandchildren. 
Near the old homestead now lives their eldest 
son, James W. The names of their other children 
who came to this State are: Mary, now Mrs. 
Fouschee; Mrs. Prudence J. Lake, Mrs. Sarah 
Mapts, George H., Mrs. Luann Ross, Pressly 
M., and Mrs. Lizzie Pickrell,who died in 1888. 
Attezra, their sixth child, died in Missouri, 
aged four years. 



^^^A^^ 



•E^« 



ffAMES W. HALL, the eldest son and eldest 
I child of Lowry B. Hall, was born in Barren 
County, Kentucky, September 25, 1842. 
He was but ten years of age when the family 
moved to Greene County, Missouri, and fifteen 
years of age when he did the work of a man in 
lielping to care for the family and stock in cross- 
ing the plains and mountains to California. He 
helped to build the family home, at which and 
near which, with the exception of eighteen 
months spent at Ilealdsburg, he has ever since 
resided. November 22, 186(5, Mr. Hall wedded 
Miss Lou Eva Dameron, daughter of John 
Dameron. Mrs. Hall was born in Randolph 
County, Missouri. She is the mother of four 
children living: Harry L., Sara C, Richard B., 
and Benjamin F. Their tliii-d child, Julia, died 
at the age of three years. The homestead of 



UISTOHT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



ninety-seven aeres owned by Mr. Hall is of the 
choicest in the beantifnl Santa Kosa Valley. 
Considerincr its extent, location, nearness to 
market and a city giving all business and social 
advantages, it is a most desirable property. A 
tine hop field of fifteen acres are among the 
valuable improvements upon the place. 

— ^€@=®»-^¥ — 



Mr. Sbarboro was married in Italy to Miss 
Romilda Botto. They have five children, 
xVlfredo, Aida, Romolo, Romilda, and Remo. 



tXDREA SBARBORO, secretary of the 
Italian-Swiss Agricultural Colony, and its 
^2^5^^ founder, is a native of Italy, born thirty 
miles from the city of Genoa, November 26, 
1839, his parents being Stephen and Mary 
Sbarboro. In 1844 the family removed to the 
United States, locating in New York City, 
where the subject of this sketch was reared to 
the age of thirteen years. In 1852 the parents 
went back to Italy, but Andrea had decided to 
remain in America and about the same time he 
came to San Francisco, via the Panama route. 
He engaged in the grocery trade, and conducted 
a prosperous -business until 1881, in wliicli year 
lie organized the colony enterjirise. When lie 
came to this coast, a mere boy in years, he had 
iiis own start to make. His high business 
qualifications won for him success and drew to 
him the confidence of those with whom he came 
in contact. His services have been souglit in 
tiie business management of numerous associa- 
tions, and he is now secretary of the following 
corporate institutions: Italian-Swiss Agricul- 
tural Colony, "West Oakland Mutual Loan 
Association, San Francisco Mutual Loan As- 
sociation, West Oakland Masonic Hall and 
Building Association, Italian -Swiss ^lutual 
Loan Association, and San Francisco and Oak- 
land Mutual Loan Association. Since 1860 he 
has always taken an active part in the Anti- 
Chinese movement. He has been ibremost in 
advancing the interests of his fellow-countrymen 
who have, like himself, become citizens of the 
United States. Mr. Sbarboro is one of the pro- 
moters of the Italian scliool, San Francisco. He 
is a member of the F. & A. M. and A. O. U. W. 



■*^>~ 



-<s- 



'^.ITGII H. DAVIS, M. D., was born in 
r ] Xorristown, Montgomery County, Penn- 
"Kjii sylvania, October 10, 1841, his parents be- 
ing Benjamin and Elizabeth (Haraill) Davis, 
descendants of some of the oldest families of 
Pennsylvania. Upon his fatlier's side the family 
is traced back to the -veteran soldiers of the 
Revolution, his father being also a grandson of 
John Morton, a signer of the Declaration of 
Independence. Dr. Davis's fatlier was a business 
man in Norristown, and afterward in Delaware, 
where he moved his family in 1860. The doctor 
received the benefits of » good education, and, 
in 1862, entered upon the study of medicine; 
his patriotism, however, induced him to abandon 
his studies and enlist in the defense of his 
country. Accordingly, early in 1863, he en- 
listed as a private soldier in the United States 
Signal Corp of the army, in which he served 
with credit until the close of the war, having 
been promoted to Sergeant in that corps before 
his discharge. While in the service he was 
actively engaged in the field with the Army of 
the James and Army of the Potomac. He was 
also in both engagements at Fort Fisher, first 
under General Butler and afterward under 
General Terry when the Fort was captured. 
Soon after his discharge from the army, in 1865, 
the doctor resumed his medical studies, and in 
March, 1868, received his diploma from the 
University of Pennsylvania. He then entered 
upon the practice of his profession in Gloucester 
Count}', New Jersey, where he remained until 
1869, in which year he came to California and 
located in Nevada County. He remained there 
until the next year when he again entered the 
United States military service as an acting 
assistant surgeon, and was stationed in Alaska, 
first at Sitka and then at Tongas I^-land. The 
doctor remained in the medical department of 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNT F. 



489 



tlie United States army until 1874, and during 
that time was on duty in Oregon, Idalio, Ari- 
zona, and California. In the latter year he was 
appointed by tlie interior department as surgeon 
of the Colorado River Indian Reservation. He 
therefore resigned liis position in the United 
States army and took up his residence upon 
that reservation where he remained until 1876, 
in which year he returned to Delaware and re- 
sumed the practice of his profession in civil life 
until 1878. He then entered the oil business 
in the oil regions of Pennsylvania. This ven- 
ture not proving as successful as he desired, he 
abandoned the enterprise and accepted the situa- 
tion of surgeon of the Silver King mining com- 
pany in Penal County, Arizona, remaining there 
until 1884. In the latter year he came to So- 
noma County and located in the city of Sonoma, 
where he has since resided, engaged in the prac- 
tice of his profession. Being a graduate of one 
of the best medical colleges of the country and 
having had years of experience in the varied 
climes of the United States, the doctor has won 
tlie confidence and esteem of the community. 
He is one of the public spirited and progressive 
citizens, and is therefore a desirable acquisition 
to any community. He readily and promptly 
identities himself with any enterprise that will 
tend to build up and develop the varied re- 
sources of his chosen valley. He is a member 
of Temple Lodge, No. 14, F. & A. M., and also 
of Sonoma Lodge, No. 28, I. O. (). F. In 
political matters he is Republican. In 1887 
Dr. Davis was united in marriage with Miss 
Natalie Hope, daughter of Valentine and 
Adelaide Hope, residents and pioneers of So- 
noma County. 



-t=^ 



IILLIAM HOWARD PEPPER, an old 
settler of Petaluma Township, and pro- 
prietor of the largest nursery in the 
county, was born in Dutchess County, New 
York, January 14, 1824. The Peppers are of 
English descent. The parents of the subject of 

80 




this sketch, Micliael and Mary (Gorham) Pep- 
per, were natives of Connecticut. They made 
their home in Fairtield County after their mar- 
riage. There three of their children were born. 
In 1822 or '23 they moved into Dutchess County, 
New York, the county adjoining over the State 
line, and made their home there abouttive years. 
They then moved to Clinton County, Ohio, 
where they resided two years, thence to Indiana, 
and a year later back to Clinton County, Ohio, 
where they made their home most of the time 
until 1840. After four or five other changes 
they finally located in Greene County where the 
old gentleman died in 1876,at the ageof eight}-- 
two years. After the death of her husband, 
Mrs. Pepper came to Petaluma where she died 
in November, 1888, in her ninety-second year. 
They reared a family of seven childi-en, five" sons 
and two daughters, of whom three of the chil- 
dren are now living. W. II. Pepper, the sub- 
ject of this article, lived with his parents until 
his eighteenth or nineteenth year. He then en- 
tered a cabinet shop in Columbus, Ohio, whei-e 
he was apprenticed to the trade which he fol- 
lowed there and in Louisville, Kentucky, until 
December, 1849. He then went to New York 
City and took passage for California on the last 
day of December, making the voyage around 
Cape Horn and landed in San Francisco on the 
17th of June, 1850, being a little over five 
months and a half on the way. He went to 
BuUard's Bar on the North Yuba River, where 
he engaged in mining until the fall of 1851, 
when he went on to Oregon Creek about 
three miles from Bullard's Bar and, with his 
brother, G. B. Pepper, put up a saw-mill and 
engaged in the manufacture of lumber until 
the spring of 1858, when the mill took fire 
and burned down, all the stock of lumber be- 
ing destroj'ed. This incident, as he says, let 
liim out of the business, so he came down to San 
Francisco in the summer, and in the fall of that 
year purchased and settled on his present place 
in Sonoma County. In the first place he bought 
157 acres of a squatter's claim and an undivided 
interest in the Borjorques grant, and later ninety. 



490 



Ul STORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



eight acres of tlie Roblar grant, making his es- 
tate at the present time 255 acres. There are 
al)o:;t forty acres devoted to the nursery, started 
hy Mr. Pepper as soon as he came here, to which 
business he has devoted liis careful attention 
ever since. It is the only nursery on this side 
of the liay that has been run continuously, and 
is the oldest and largest in the county. Mr. 
Pepper is a thorough horticulturist, having 
gained his knowledge by many years of exper- 
ience and by constant application and exrieri- 
ments with almost every known tree and shrub. 
His orchard of sixty acres is one of the finest 
in this section. He makes a specialty of grow- 
ing cherries and plums, and also apples, pears 
and other choice fruits. Mr. Pepper was mar- 
ried in 1874 to Mrs. Phojbe Perry, whose 
maiden name was Cooper, a native of Seneca 
County, New York, and who came to Califor- 
nia in 1863. They have one daughter, Hattie 
May Perry, wife of ^Y. L. Parent, of San Fran- 
cisco. 



«0L. JAMES A. HARDIN i^ a represenat- 
ti\e of the best type of the American 
business man. Like most men who 
achieve distinction in their respective callings, 
he started in life with but little capital save a 
fine physical organization and an active well 
poised brain. He was born in the State of Ken- 
tucky, September 2, 1830, and was the fourth of 
a large family of children, eight of whom (three 
sons and five daughters) are still livino-. His 
parents, Henry Hardin and Mary (Phillips) Har- 
din, were also natives of the Blue Grass State. 
In 1839 they moved to Missouri, and resided 
there until 1853, when they emigrated to Cali- 
fornia and settled near Sebastopol in Sonoma 
County. There the. remainder of their lives was 
passed, Mr. Hardin dying in 1859 at the age of 
fifty-eight years, and Mrs. Hardin in 1866, aged 
sixty-three years. The subject of this memoir 
crossed the plains with his parents, being then 
a young man of twenty-three years, and the 



same year started in the cattle business with a 
few hundred dollars capital; and from that to 
the present has been actively and extensively 
engaged in raising live stock. In early years 
his ranch interests were confined to Sonoma 
County, but in the rapid expansion of the busi- 
ness under his masterly management they ex- 
tended into other counties and finally into other 
States. Awhile there is quite enough in such a 
great growing business to occupy the mind and 
energies of an ordinary man, such was not the 
case with Colonel Hardin. In 1859 he opened 
a store in Petaluma, with a combined stock of 
groceries and staple dry goods. Two years 
later he took in Mr. A. "W. Riley as a partner, 
and they enlarged the stock so as to embrace 
general merchandise. Soon after the firm began 
to establish stores in other towns, and for some 
years they owned and conducted a number of 
mercantile houses in as many towns in Sonoma 
and adjacent counties. The firm of Hardin & 
Riley continued merchandising until 1880, 
when they sold out and discontinued that branch 
of business. In 1870 Mr. Riley became a part- 
ner with Colonel Hardin in a portion of his 
already extensive ranch property, which rela- 
tion still continues. Mr. Riley not being a 
practical stockman, Colonel Hardin has always 
had active supervision and control of their vast 
and expanding business, which he has handled 
with such phenomenal success that they now 
own great ranges in California, Nevada and 
Oregon, number their herds and flocks by the 
tens of thousands, and rank among the " Cattle 
Kings" of the Pacific slope. Besides their 
joint property. Colonel Hardin owns a large 
ranch in Mendocino County, which has until 
recently been stocked with sheep, but is now 
occupied by cattle chiefly. During the thirty- 
five years of his ranching life in developing and 
managing this gigantic business, which places 
Hardin tt Riley in the front rank among the 
wealthy five-stock firms this side of the Rocky 
Mountains, Colonel Hardin has not only dem- 
onstrated his thorough knowledge of stock- 
raising, but has exhibited those rare powers of 



HUSTOBT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



iniiiil possessed by recognized leaders of men, 
the fuiinders of great enterprises and the char- 
acters whicli shape the events of their time. 
Such men wear nature's stamp of superiority 
and leave tlie impress of their extraordinary in- 
dividuality upon whatever they come in contact 
with. In his more than third of a century of 
experience as a stockman, Mr. Hardin has per- 
formed labor and endured hardships which few 
men could undergo. In 1857 he went East and 
brought a drove of cattle across the plains from 
Missouri. In 1866 he took a drove of horses 
and cattle across the country to Helena, Mon- 
tana, spent the summer there disposing of them, 
and in the fall went by steamer from Fort Ben- 
ton down the Missouri Kiver, to St. Joseph, 
Missouri, consuming a month en route. Being 
joined there by his family, they went by rail to 
Xew York and thence took passage by steam- 
ship to Calilbrnia via the Isthmus of Panama. 
In the years 1870, 1871 and 1872 Colonel Har- 
din took droves of cattle overland from Texas 
to Nevada. He has crossed the plains six times 
with droves of cattle; has made six round trips 
across the continent by rail, and has been in 
peri! on both land and sea, in railroad wrecks 
and shipwrecks. Iti the winter of 1854-'55 he 
sailed from San Francisco on board the steamer 
Southerner, Captain F. A. Samson in charge, 
for Portland, Oregon. On their way up a 
heavy storm struck them off the coast of Oregon 
and so seriously damaged the vessel that she 
sprung a leak of such magnitude as to reqnire 
constant and vigorous nseof the pumps and bail- 
ing of water to keep her afloat. After forty- 
eight hours of incessant effort it became 
evident that the vessel would go down, and the 
passengers and crew, consisting of forty-five 
men, five women and three children were com 
pelled to take the life-boats, with such few ar- 
ticles of provision as they could liastily gather 
and carry with them. On the 2Gth of Decem- 
ber they landed near Cape Flattery at the mouth 
of the Quineote River, and there on that bleak 
shore, in the midst of hostile Indians, with no 
shelter to protect them from the fury of the 



elements during the almost continuous storms 
of December and January, and subsisting on 
quarter rations, they i-emained twenty-seven 
days, waiting and watching for deliverance. 
The terrible suffering of body and anguish of 
mind that shipwrecked band endured during 
those three weeks of exposure to the mid-win- 
ter storms — hoping and despairing, tortured 
day and night by the grim .specter of death by 
starvation — are beyond the power of tongue or 
pen to portray. Finally, when the last meager 
ration had been issued and eaten, theii- vigilant 
watch for a passing vessel was rewarded. One 
was sighted and in response to their signal of 
distress sent her relief-boats and took them on 
board. It proved to be the old Major Tomp- 
kins which rendered them such timely succor. 
The party landed at Olympia, and from there 
were obliged to travel through a wilderness 
country about seventy miles to the Cowlitz 
River, which they descended in small boats to 
its confluence with the Columbia. Colonel Har- 
din was the first to reach the river and impart 
the glad news of their rescue, as it was supposed 
that all on board the ill-fated Southerner had 
perished with her. Another instance of the 
almost miraculous escape of Colonel Hardin 
from death occurred on his last birthday, Sep- 
tember 2, 1888, on the Central Pacific Railroad 
at Cisco. He was riding in the caboose at- 
tached to a train of twenty cars loaded with the 
firm's cattle, coming down from their ranch 
in Nevada; his train had just come to a stop 
after passing through the tunnel, preparatory 
to side-tracking, when a heavy freight train 
came dashing through the tunnel at full speed 
and crashed into the cabocse. The engine 
struck with such terrific force that it literally 
crushed the caboose in which he was riding and 
plowed half its length into the car filled with 
cattle in front of it. Some articles of clothing 
of the train men which were lying on the seat 
opposite to that occupied by Hardin were torn 
to shreds. The concussion was so great that 
Mr. Hardin, who weighs about 200 pounds, was 
raised bodily from his position in the caboose 



IIISTiiIiY lit' SONOMA COUNTY. 



and hurled many feet, landing in tlie front end 
of tlie car forward among the cattle. While 
very mnch stunned by the shock, he retained 
sutticient consciousness to realize his perilous 
situation under the frantic animals' feet, and 
dropping through a hole broken in the side of 
the car he was hurriedly picked >ip in a state of 
partial syncope just in time to save him from 
being crushed to death by the escaping cattle. 
\j\)on examination of bis injuries it was found 
tliat he was suflering from a dislocation of the 
wri>t, several painful bruises and contusions, 
some of which were made by the cattle's feet, 
and a severe wrenching of his shoulder and 
spine. These were only sufhcient to curb his 
irrepressible energies for a few weeks, when he 
again assumed charge of his own and the lirm's 
business interests. Two years after coming to 
this El Dorado of the Occident, in 1855, Mr. 
Hardin returned to Missouri, and was there 
united in marriage with Miss Nannie C. Myers, 
a native of Nashville, Tennessee, born in 1834. 
Her father and mother, Charles and Rebecca 
(^Williams) Myers, were from Pennsylvania and 
Virginia, respectively. Fivechildren, two sons 
and three daughters, comprise the family of 
Colonel and Mrs. Hardin, viz.: C. H. E. Har- 
din, j\[i5s Eudora, Miss Jimella, Amos Riley 
Hardin and Miss Ethel C. H. E. Hardin was 
married in 1882 to Miss Ursula Mason, of San 
Francisco, and there have been born to them 
two children, a son and a daughter. Miss 
Jimella was married in 1887 to William J. 
Eardley, of Santa Eosa. The three unmarried 
children reside with their parents in the family 
lioiiie. Colonel Hardin has been during his 
whole life an earnest advocate of higher educa- 
tion and has extended to all his .children the 
advantages of collegiate and university courses 
of study. He is now, and for many years past 
has been a member of the board of trustees of 
Pacific Methodist College in Santa Rosa, and 
has materially aided its fortunes, not only by 
his advice biit also by large contributions of his 
means. Colonel Hardin and family lived for 
fourteen years in Petaluma before removing to 



Santa Rosa, sixteen years ago. Since settling 
in this city he has built their elegant residence 
on Fifth and Beaver streets. It occupies a full 
block of richly ornamented grounds, and is one 
of the most charming residences in California. 
Everywhere within and without abound those 
ornaments that indicate the superior taste and 
culture of its occupants and appeal to the sense 
of the beautiful. Spending much of his time 
in Nevada, as he does, looking after their great 
stock interests, he is considered a citizen of that 
State, and was chosen one of the Presidential 
Electors for 1888 on the Democratic ticket. 
Owing to his conscientious regard for the rights 
and feelings of others, and his courteous gen- 
tlemanly manners. Colonel Hardin commands 
the respect and esteem of all who come in con- 
tact with him either in business or social rela- 
tions. In his happy home and on the ranch he 
rules with the law of kindness. 



ILLIAM McDonnell, of Knighfs 
Valley Township, one of the old settlers 
Jy^rj of Sonoma County, is a native of Mis- 
souri, born April 29, 1825, and son of Hamil- 
ton and Ann (Hunniford) McDonnell. Both 
parents were natives of Ireland, but they came 
to America when young, locating in New York 
City. In 1816 they removed to a point in Mis- 
souri, thirty miles below St. Louis. They were 
there when Missouri was admitted to the Union 
as a State. In 1823 they returned to New York 
and there the father died. His widow married 
for her second husband Robert N. Tate, and in 
1839 the family removed to Illinois, locating in 
Lee County, where the mother died in 1858. 
William McDonnell left home in 1844:, going to 
Jo Daviess County, and was engaged at farm 
work and lead mining and smelting near Galena 
until 1846. He made an arrangement with a 
man named Kellogg, by which he and John 
Spitler were to drive Kellogg's teams across the 
plains half the time and were to have the other 
half to hunt or do as they pleased. They pro- 



IIIHTVUY OF ^O^OMA COUNT V. 



493 



ceeded to a point fifteen miles below Independ- 
ence, in what was then the Indian Territory, 
and there a train of 500 wagons were gathered 
together, all under command of Judge Noran. 
After crossing the Blues, they found such a 
large train to be unwieldy, and hence split up 
in smaller parties. Kellogg's outfit consisted 
of one mule team, two ox teams and three cov- 
ered wagons. They followed the Salt Lake 
route,, by Hastings cut-off after leaving Fort 
Bridger, and thence up Truckee River, striking 
the first California settlement at Johnson's 
ranch. Oregon had been the destination of 
most of those who gathered near Independence 
to make the trip across the plains, but Fremont 
sent back tidings of war with Me.xico, and 
suggesting the pmbability of California being 
annexed to the United States, also advised them 
to go there, and the most of them therefore de- 
cided to change their i-oute to California. On 
the way the provisions of Kellogg's party ran 
short and all hands were put on rations, this on 
account of having divided with Fowler's family. 
They proceeded to Sutter's Fort, and from there 
to Sonoma, where they arrived about the first of 
November. Mr. McDonnell at once enlisted in 
Fremont's Battalion, accompanying the com- 
mand to Los Angeles, and serving all through 
that campaign. He was discharged after six 
months, at San Gabriel Mission, and returned 
overland on horseback, riding a pack-saddle up 
to Sonoma. He located near Bales' Mill, in 
Napa Valley, and in 1850 settled on the farm 
where he now resides. He at first made his 
living by hunting, and would send from ten to 
fifteen deer per week to San Francisco, being a 
good shot. He was married in 1849 to Miss 
Eleanor Graves, a native of Marshall County, 
Illinois, and daughter of Franklin Graves. The 
family were members of the ill-fated Donner 
party, and she lost both of her parents by death 
at Truckee during that terrible winter's experi- 
ence, which is familiar to readers throughout 
the entire country. The children, six sisters 
and two brothers, all got through, but one 
brother and a brother-in-law died from the 



effects of their longsufi'ering, shortly after arriv- 
ing at Sutter's Fort. Mrs. McDonnell was a 
child at the time, and was reared by the family 
of lieason Tucker. Mr. and Mrs. McDonuel 
were the parents of ten children, of whom six 
are living, viz.: Ann, Charles, Mary, wife of L. 
D. Green, now living near Walnut Grove on 
Sacramento liiver; Henry, Nellie and Louisa. 
Mr. McDonnell is a Republican, politically, with 
prohibition proclivities. He cast his first pres- 
idential vote for Fillmore. Though averse to 
office -holding, he lias served one term as justice 
of the peace. He is a steward and trustee of 
the Methodist church at Calistoga. In the early 
days in this county Mr. McDonnell often went 
as a guide to the Geysers, and made a trail there 
himself He is the owner of a fine ranch of 
1,200 acres. On this he is engaged in stock 
raising and usually winters frotn 700 to 800 
head of sheep, sixty head of cattle, and sixteen 
or eighteen American and Clydesdale horses. 



eMilLTON Y. LUCE is a native of Vien- 
lifyim J^''^ Haven, Massachusetts, born Octo- 
^^~ l)er 11, 1848, his parents being .lirah 
and Mary (Cottle) Luce. He was but fourteen 
years of age when the family came to Sonoma 
County, receiving his education at Healdsburg 
and San Francisco. Mr. Luce was married in 
this county, July 3, 1879, to Miss LoUie B. 
Monmonier. They have four children, viz.: 
Mary Elizabeth, Marguerite Yale, William 
Monmonier and Milton Amerton. Politically, 
Mr. Luce is a Republican. He is the owner of 
a fine ranch of 350 acres, on Russian River, 
three miles from Healdsburg, which is devoted 
to sheep and to the i-aising of fruit and alfalfa. 
He has nearly ten acres in fruit trees, ranging 
in age from two to fifteen years. The trees 
are peaches, plums, prunes, almonds, figs, etc. 
It is the intention of Mr. Luce to go into the 
fruit culture more extensively, and he will plant 
a number of acres in si-lcct varieties. lie has 



494 



UISTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



nearfy twenty-two acres iu vines, about one- 
third of which range in age from fifteen to 
twenty years. The remainder are between two 
and five years of age. The vines are Zinfandel) 
Mataro, Sauvignon Vert, Chasselas, Riesling, 
Liglit Burgundy and Mission. In the culture 
of grapes lie has been very successful and the 
vines are in good condition. There is a winerj' 
on the place, and it is the intention of Mr. Luce 
tomake his own grapes into wine. Tiie storage 
capacity of the winery is 10,000 gallons. About 
fifteen acres of this ranch are devoted to alfalfa, 
which yields in three cuttings, over three tons 
per acre. After the third crop is cut the land 
is used as pasture for sheep. Five acres is his 
usual crop of corn, and thirty to sixty bushels 
to the acre is the average yield. He has about 
200 head of sheep, of the Merino stock, selling 
off the increase annually and marketing the wool 
at Healdsburg. The ranch, called Vinej'ard 
Haven, is well supplied with water by the 
Russian River, which almost surrounds it, and 
by never failing springs. Mrs. Luce was born in 
Baltimore, Maryland, and educated in New York 
and San Francisco, attending the high school. 
She is a daughter of William B. and Ellen (Lit- 
ton) Monmonier, the former of French parent, 
age, grandson of Viscount de Monmonier 
Descombecque. William B. Monmonier is a 
native of Baltimore, Marj'land, born January 4, 
1821. He followed the sea in early life, and in 
184:8 came to California, via Cape Horn, in 
command of a vessel. He went into business 
in San Francisco, but was burned out in one of 
the early fires. He was afterward in business 
at Downieville and again at Virginia City. He 
has also resided iu Healdsburg, where he was in 
business, and still has property there. Since 
1882 he has been in business in Tombstone. 
Arizona, but has lately returned to Sonoma 
County. He was married iu Baltimore, April 
15, 1845, to Ellen M. Litton. They have five 
children as follows: Dr. Julius L., who is a 
well-known physician at Brooklyn, New York; 
William D., who is county clerk of Cochise 
County. Arizona; Thomas L., who is a resident 



of Santa Barbara where he is in business; Mrs. 
J>uce, and Eugenie, wife of Joseph Brown, a 
business man of Tombstone, Arizona. 



fACOB E. DAVIDSON.— The subject of 
jjj. this sketch was one of the widely known 
and universally respected pioneers of Santa 
Rosa Township. AVe give a brief re view .of his 
useful life in presenting the following facts: 
He was born in Barren County, Kentucky, in 
1801, and was reared to a farm life, which voca- 
tion he ever afterward followed. His education 
was very limited, as was common to the sons of 
Kentucky farmers in the early part of this cen- 
tury, but possessed of quick perceptive faculties 
and a retentive memory, he amply compensated 
fur lack of youthful advantages. In liis native 
State Mr. Davidson was united in marriage with 
Mary B. Winn, who was born in 1803. They 
emigrated to Hancock County, Illinois, in the 
pioneer days of 1835; the foUowiDg year to 
Van Buret! County, Iowa; in 1837 to Henry 
County, Missouri; a short time later to Jackson 
County, the same State; and from there made 
the long tedious overland journey to this State 
in 1852. He purchased 200 acres of choice 
land one mile west of Santa Rosa on the Sebas- 
topol road, and established what has ever since 
been known as the Davidson ranch, a property 
now owned by h s children. The reader will 
note that Mr. Davidson must have possessed 
largely those elements of "which the true pioneer 
is made, for, before coming to this State as one 
of its early settlers, he had tried pioneer life in 
three of the western States, Illinois, Iowa and 
Missouri. He reared a large family of children, 
all of whom became worthy members of society. 
His eldest son. Smith E. Davidson, lives at the 
old home. Of the other children, we record 
that Augustus W. is a resident of this county; 
Anna P. is the wife of G. M. Sheldon of Jack- 
son County, Missouri; Jane E., wife of Joel 
Crane, has made her home on part of the old 
homestead: Walter A. returned to Missouri 






■yjn^ 



UISrORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



and died in the bloom of manliood; Cliristo- 
plier lives* in Placer County; Susan C, wife of 
Itobert Crane, lives in Santa Rosa Township; 
Mary L. is the wife of J. li. Williamson (see 
his biography); Amanda K. resides in the city 
of Santa Rosa; Alexander T. livos in Santa 
Rosa Township; Isabella I. is the wife of C. 
I). Frazee, of Santa Rosa. Mr. and Mrs. David- 
son lived to be fully ripe for the harvest and 
died full of the peace and hope of Christ, her 
death occurring May 2!>, 1883, and his Xovem 
ber 25, 1884. Both had been for years members 
of the Missionary Baptist church. Fondly is 
their memory cherished by a large family of 
children and children's children. Of •:heni it 
may well be said, " AV'^ell done good and faithful 
servants." 

fAVID STEWART, deceased, an old set- 
tler of Sonoma County, and for many 
years an honored citizen of this commun- 
ity, was born in Blair Athole, Perthshire, Scot- 
land, August 8, 1825. He was a son of Daniel 
and Christie Stewart, and one of a family of 
eleven children, seven sons and fonr daughters. 
One of the sons, Daniel Stewart, came to Cali- 
fornia in 1849, and was a resident of San Fran- 
cisco, where he died in 1864. Another son, 
Alexander Stewart, died in California in 1872, 
after a residence of two years. David Stewart 
was reared on his father's farm until he came to 
the United States. He was married on the 11th 
day of August, 1858, to Ann Shaw, who was 
also a native of the same locality, and immedi- 
ately afterward they sailed for this country. 
They landed in New York, where they were 
obliged to remain nine days, waiting for a 
steamer bound for Panama. They reached San 
Francisco thirty-five days from the time of 
leaving Glasgow. Mr. Stewart came direct to 
Sonoma County, and shortly after purchased 
the homestead place in Vallejo Township, con- 
sisting of 500 acres, where he afterward made 
iiis home. lie was the father of six chihlrcn, 



as follows: Christie, wife of James McNabb, of 
San Francisco; John, who died in infancy; 
Daniel R., born February 21, 18G5, engaged in 
the grocery business in Petaluma; David, born 
August 6, 1868, died August 8, 1887; John, 
born November •!, 1870, died in infancy; John, 
born November 10, 1872. The death of Mr. 
Stewart occurred February 24, 1888. He at 
one time was a member of the county board of 
supervisors. A consistent and devoted member 
of the Presbyterian church, and an elder of the 
same, he was always found where duty called, 
and was often associated in deeds of charity, and 
the influence of his kindness of heart and liber- 
ality in financial assistance was felt in many 
different ways. He was one of the prime movers 
and a liberal donater toward the building of 
the Presbyterian church in Petaluma, to which 
church he belonged. His efforts were so effi- 
cient, liotli as an elder and as a trustee, and his 
influence as a Christiai* gentleman so whole- 
some, that they ever kept him faithful to his 
friends, his family, his church and his rxod. 

"^-^^-^ 



fOHN HENRY HOWMAN.— Among the 
best known and most respected citizens of 
Sonoma County, was the gentleman, now 
deceased, whose name heads this sketch. He 
was a native of Mansfield, Ohio, of which place 
his father had been one of the early settlers, 
locating there when the surrounding country 
was a wilderness. He came of a race of busi- 
ness people, and during his boyhood days his 
father and uncle were extensively engaged in 
mercantile affairs in Ohio and Pennsylvania. 
When fourteen years of age he entered the 
establishment of his uncle at Uniontown, Penn- 
sylvania, and when, two years later, a branch 
house was established at Wapakoneta, Ohio, he 
was selected to take charge of it. In 1852 he 
came to California, via Panama, and, locating in 
Sacramento, engaged in bankiuir. There he and 
his brother-in-law. Judge Charles Bryan, were 
leading figures in commercial and professional 



49S 



UISTOMY OF i:ONOMA COUNTY. 



circles. In 185G, having determined to cliange 
his location, he obtained a footing in tlie uier- 
cantiie house of John Love, at liich Bar, on 
Feather River, in wliicii he soon became the 
principal owner, and was there interested until 
the decline of river mining. lie then went to 
Marysville and purchased an interest in the 
Bnclieye Mill, with which he was associated for 
ten years, at the expiration of which time he 
sold out and removed to San Francisco. In 
1875 he came to Cloverdale, and was soon again 
deeply engrossed in business. He purchased 
an interest iu the mercantile business which 
after his death was incorporated the Cloverdale 
Banking & Commercial Company; he also pur- 
chased and operated a lionr mill near the town, 
and invested largely in real estate, and gave his 
personal attention to the details of his business 
until shortly before his death. While in Marys- 
ville Mr. Bowman was married to Miss Frances 
Josephine Teegarden, daughter of Dr. Eli and 
Deborali (Carr) Teegarden, both of whom were 
natives of Ohio, the latter being of Quaker ori- 
gin. Iler father came to California in 1849, 
locating in Marysville, where he remained a 
prominent factor in public, professional and 
social life until his death, in 1884. His wife 
also died in Marysville. Dr. Teegarden served 
in the House of Representatives and Senate of 
California, and held the position of auditor in 
the land othce. He was very prominent in 
Masonic circles, and was one of the oldest 
Knights Templar in California. After coming 
to Cloverdale, Mr. Bowman improved the beau- 
tiful place known as "Glen Eyre,'' the present 
family residence. Here he died Octoljer 26, 
1882. In his death the community suffered an 
irreparable loss, as his great business energy 
and ability were accomplishing much in the way 
of the development and prosperity' of Cloverdale. 
He enjoyed, in a marked degree, the confidence 
and respect of all with whom he came in con- 
tact. In politics he had always been a staunch 
Republican. He was a member of the I. O. O. 
F., and took an active interest in the welfare of 
the order. Mrs. Bowman now gives her atten- 



tion to lier property and business interests, she 
being a member and director of the Cloverdale 
Jianking & Commercial Company. She has 
three children, Ilettie Prescott, John Percy and 
Robert Braeding. 



I^MITH E. DAVIDSON, the eldest son of 
"l^l Jacob E. Davidson, was born in Barren 
'^^ County, Kentucky, Ftbruary 17, 1822. 
In 1850, two years prior to the coming of his 
parents, in company with two younger brothers, 
Augustus W. and Walter A., he came across 
the plains with ox teams to this State. In part- 
nership the three brothers engaged in mining 
on Feather River, at Rich Gulch, and in Shasta 
Count)', keeping at this occupation until 1852, 
when all engaged in fanning and stock-raising 
in this county. Having advice of the coming 
of his parents and other members of the family, 
the subject of this sketch met them on the 
plains near Carson River. His brothers later 
joined the family and all came on to Santa 
Rosa together. Many years Smith E. Davidson 
lived with his parents, and at this writing occu- 
pies the old homestead. Honorable and true in 
all dealings with his fellow man, he deservedly 
bears a worthy name. 



^OLDATE & GIACOMINI, proprietors of 
■^^ the American Hotel. Mr. Joseph A. 
^P Soldate was born in the city of Brontallo, 
Canton of Ticino, Switzerland, in 1846. He 
came to California in 1862, and for a time 
worked on a farm in Marin County. It was not 
to be, however, that he should waste his abilities 
in tilling the soil or in watching after the inter- 
ests of a dairy ranch. It Is a truth that the 
successful hotel-keeper is born and not made, 
and Joe Soldate is a visible proof of this fact. 
For the fifteen years and over that he has been 
the proprietor of a house, he has kept his place 
the most popular in town. For ten years he 



UIHTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



409 



conducted the Washington Hotel in this city. 
Those were in its palmy days. He has now 
carried on the American for four years and has 
raised it to a high state of favor with the travel- 
ing public. He is affable and courteous — you 
can't make him mad — but he knows his busi- 
ness and can be firm and decided. He is still 
an unmarried man. Mr. M. Giacomini, who is 
associated with Mr. Soldate in the proprietor- 
ship of the American Hotel, is like him a native 
of Brontallo, Ticino, Switzerland, and as a 
popular and successful hotel man comes only 
second to Mr. Soldate. He was born in 1852, 
came to California in 1867, and after engaging 
for some time in the dairy business was with 
Mr. Soldate iu the Washington Hotel until the 
change was made to the American, when he be- 
came a partner. He is also an unmarried man. 
Messrs. Soldate & Giacomini are among the 
best instances that can be brought forward of 
the best typfe of our foreign born citizens, and 
are thorough Americans in all but birth. Their 
native Canton of Ticino has furnished to Cali- 
fornia some of her most industrious and pro- 
gressive citizens, men who do honor both to 
the land of their birth and their adoption. 

fACOB GUNDLACH.— One of the finest 
vine growing sections of Sonoma Valley is 
found in the foot-hills east of Sonoma. As 
one drives in that direction he is particularly 
struck with the magnificent vineyards that cover 
the slopes of the hills, and also with the evi- 
dences of the capital and energy that has been 
expended in the erection of magnificent wine- 
ries, beautiful residences, etc. One of the most 
noticeable of these is the "Rhine Farm," owned 
by the above named gentleman. This farnj, 
rich and productive in its cliaractcr, is located 
two miles east of Sonoma, upon the foot-hills 
sloping to the south and west. The 200 acres 
comprising the farm are all under cultivation, 
and, with the exception of a small orchard, is 
devoted to the growing of wine grapes of tlie 



most approved varieties. The product of this 
vineyard is manufactured into wine in the large 
winery upon the place, which has a capacity of 
150,000 gallons. This winery was erected 
witliout regard to cost; the great object sought 
and obtained was the fitting it up with thef 
most approved appliances for the production of 
pure wines. A distillery of the same order is 
also attached to the winery, where the choicest 
of grape brandy is distilled. The wines, etc., of 
this vineyard are disposed of by Mr. Guudlaeh 
through his extensive wine house in San Fran- 
cisco, the well known wine vaults of J. Gundlach 
& Co. Mr. Gundlach established the " Rhine 
Farm " in connection with Emil Dresel in 1858, 
it comprising at that time about 400 acres. 
This splendid tract is divided as follows: 200 
acres to Z. Gundlach; 108 acres to Julius 
Dresel, and 110 acres to Henry Winkle. Mr. 
Gundlach is a native of Bavaria, Germany, 
where he was born in 1818. His father, Jacob 
Gundlach, was a proprietor of a hotel and a 
wine grower, and the subject of this sketch was 
early in Hie placed in the establishment of his 
father, where he learned the trade and business 
in ail its details. This calling he followed until 
1849, in which year he started on a German 
bark, the Emmy, on a voyage around Cape 
Horn for California. This voyage was attended 
with shipwreck and disaster. The vessel was 
wrecked on the coast of Brazil, and Mr. Gund- 
lach finally readied San Francisco, via Rio de 
Janeiro, in 1850, upon a British vessel. Upon 
his arrival in that city he established himself a 
brewery by the building and conducting of tlie 
well-known Bavaria brewery. This is now the 
oldest brewery in that city, and its beer has 
ever been a favorite with the San Francisco 
public. Success attended Mr. Gundlacli in his 
enterprise, and in 1858 he began the cultiva- 
tion of grapes and the manufacture of wine, 
and about the same time established the wine 
house before noted. Since that time he has 
been largely identified with the wine industry 
of California, also having a large branch house 
in New York City. In 1858 Mr. Gundlach re- 



insronv of sonoma county. 



turned to Germany, iiml while tlicrc. iiiarrieil 
Miss Eva noffiiiiiii, ii native of that country. 
From tliis marriage tliuro are seven cJiililrcn 
living, viz.: Francisco, wli(> married (!harics 
Bniulschu, Mr. (Tnndiach's ])artner in tlie firm 
(if .1. (Mindlacli & Co.; Carl, wlio is at tlieir 
liranch house in New York; Rosa, Freda, Eva, 
Bertha, and Harry, all members of his family, 
who reside in San Francisco. Mr. Gundlacli, 
although a rcsidfiil and large jjroperty owner in 
San Francisco, still has a deep interest in tlie 
prosperity and growth of Sonoma County. He 
is one of those larn;e minded and pulilic-spirited 
men who are not contiiicil to a town or city; 
hence any enterprise that tends to develop the 
industriesof Sonoma is sure of a supporter in hi in. 

— ^€(ii"l^l^'^^ — 

[^U^^.ISS MARTHA E. CHASE, principal 
of the Santa Rosa Seminary, who ranks 
"■:■"' anion<; the most enterprising and suc- 
cessful educators of California, is a Vermont 
lady by nativity. She is a graduate of Miss 
Aikin's Seminary at Stamford, Connecticut, and 
studied a year and a half in Europe, where she 
had a special training in music. The seminary 
of which she is the real founder and the honored 
head, was first opened for pupils in 1875, by 
Mrs. E. E. Pollok, who started in a very modest 
way, with only two boarding pupils and a few 
day pupils, making twelve in all the first term. 
Mrs. Follok struggled along under very trying 
circumstances a few months when her health 
broke down, and in August, 1876, Miss Chase 
came at her solicitation to be assistant in the 
school work. In December of that year Mrs. 
I'ollok died, and the entire burden of the responsi- 
bility of continuing and building up a prosper- 
ous institution of learning devolved upon Miss 
Cliase. She assumed the task with that will, 
energy and ability which insure success. Under 
her efficient instructiotis and management the 
school's growth in popularity and attendance 
soon made it necessary to secure larger and bet- 
ter quarters. In June. 1H77, she moved to the 



present location of the seminary on the corner 
of College avenue and lieavei- street. That 
year her sister .\da, a graduate of Mount 
Holyoke Seminary, becan)e associated witli her, 
and continued associate principal until 1883; 
and in 1878 Mrs. ('. H. Dane, another sister, 
joined them and remained about five years. In 
1880 the Misses Chase bought an adjoining lot 
and erected a new building at a cost of !?1,7()(), 
which has since been enlarged. In 188() Miss 
Chase purchased the corner property and ex- 
pended $2,300 in enlarging and repairing the 
building. The buildings now have a capacity 
for fifty-five to si,xty pupils, are commodious 
and pleasantly arranged, and appropriately fur- 
nished. The grounds about them are decorated 
with trees, shrubs, and flowering ])lants, and 
the whole premises are beautiful and homelike. 
The curriculum of study embraces a complete 
seminary course, including the Latin, French, 
ami (ierman languages, the sciences, and 
thorough instruction in music, together with 
special training in deportment and morals. The 
academic course embraces four years. Chris- 
tianity is made a featiii'e of tlie school-room, the 
aim being to educate both head and heart, and 
develop a fully rounded character. I'upils are 
instructed in the ])rimary branches also, being 
received either as boarding or day pupils. The 
department of music is in charge of Miss Chase, 
who is a very accomplished musician and profi- 
cient teacher, giving pupils superior advantages 
in this branch of learning. Her assistant prin- 
cipal, Miss Alice E. Pratt, graduated from the 
State University of California in 1881. Two 
years later she was employed as teacher in Santa 
Rosa Seminary, and has proved herself an in- 
structor of marked ability. The primary de- 
partment has been in charge of most efficient 
teachers, among them Miss L. B. Cahoon, Miss 
J. E. Thomas, and Miss Rachel Holmes. There 
are five resident teachers in the institution, not 
including the teachers in French and German, 
who reside outside the school ■ With this divi- 
sion of labor, and classes of convenient size, 
special opportunities are aflbrded pupils for 



HIHTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



thoroughness in every branch of t-tiuly. The 
pure, moral atmosphere and wholesome home 
lite of this flourishing school are among the 
most valuable of its numerous advantages in 
moulding characters for usefulness and honor in 
after life. The Santa Kosa Seminary is an edu- 
cational blessing to the city and community, 
and an lionor to its cultured and enterprising 
founder and principal. 



fAVID WALLS was bcrn in Lincolnshire, 
Scotland, December 15, ISiO, son of 
s^e William and Grace (Iloyte) Walls. In 
1843 the family emigrated to the United States, 
and settled in Oakland County, Michigan, where 
the head of the family took up eighty acres of 
government land, and made that his home until 
his death in 1872. His wife died in 1880, and 
was the mother of thirteen children, six sons 
and seven daughters, of whom all but one son 
lived to be grown. David Walls is the only 
member of the family residing in this State. 
He lived on the home place in Oakland County, 
near the town of Pontiac until 1860, when he 
proceeded to New York and sailed from tliat 
city December 20th, for California, and arrived 
in San Francisco January 20th of the following 
year. He immediately went up into the moun- 
tains in Nevada Conntj' and engaged in Placer 
mining, meeting with good success on the 
whole, but like the most of miners, luck varied 
at different intervals although some days he 
took out as high as §60 and $70, remaining in 
that locality until 1866. In that year he went 
back to Michigan, leaving San Francisco in 
March and arriving at his destination tiie fol- 
lowing month. In August of the same year he 
again started for this State and landed in San 
Francisco on the 12th of September. He re- 
turned to the mountains in Nevada County, and 
remained there until February, 1867, when he 
went to San Francisco, and on the 18th day of 
March hired out to the Contra Costa Steam 
Navigation Company, stationed at the com- 



pany's wharf at Haystack, just below Petaluma, 
on the creek. He remained there in their em- 
ploy about four years, when he quit this posi- 
tion and bought out the livery stable of H. B. 
Hasbrouck, which business he conducted about 
six months, then selling it back to Mr. Has- 
brouck. He next went to Donahue, and for six 
months had charge of the railroad company's 
wharf at that point. From there he returned to 
Hay-stack and took charge of the steamboat com- 
pany's ranch and acted as their agent, which 
position, although the business since tlien has 
had several changes in owners, he has held 
without intermission up to the present time. In 
1883 he bought -the Haystack ranch, consisting 
of 156 acres of upland and about eighty acres 
of marsh land. There is a fine orchard on the 
place, which was set out fifteen years ago, and 
consists of pears, apples, plums, etc. In 1886 
there were four and a half acres set out to Bart- 
lett pears which, when they come into bearing, 
will make a valuable acquisition to the place. 
Mr. Walls is largely engaged in dairying and 
stock-raising, his market being principally San 
Francisco, where he receives the highest cash 
prices for his produce. He is a member of no 
less than seven different societies, all of Peta- 
luma. The first order that he joined, however, 
was the Odd P'ellows, in Grass Valley, in 1865. 
Mr. AValls was married in 1873 to Mary Don- 
nelly, a Petaluma girl, daughter of Thomas 
Donnelly. She died in Februar}-, 1887, leaving 
three children: Grace, Charles B. and James 
A. He was again united in marriage January 
30, 1888, to Mrs. Alma R. Hyres, daughter of 
Freman Parker, an old settler of this county. 



fllARLES LEHN, of Russian River Town- 
ship, was born at Frankfort-on-the-Main, 
"^ March 28, 1825, his parents being Louis 
and Katlirina (Schwing) Lehn. His father was 
an official of the German government, and had 
property at Frankfoi-t, where tiie family resided. 
Charles Lelin was reared in his native city, and 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



received the advantages of a high school educa- 
tion. His school days being over, he followed 
the pursuit of agriculture, and his father taught 
him the technology of irrigating meadows 
to which department of engineering he subse- 
quently gave considerable attention. In 1852 
he emigrated to America, sailing from Havre 
on the ship Advance, a^nd landing at Xew York 
after a voyage of eighteen days. He remained 
in New York for some time, following succes- 
sively the pursuits of bookkeeper, wine mer- 
cliant, etc. While a bookkeeper at Hollaher's 
sliowcase tactory. No. 10 William Street, lie 
had charge of the extensive business to a large 
extent. Krom the city he went out to West- 
chester County, and was for a year and a half 
on the farm of George Fehl, whose acquaint- 
ance he had formed in New York City. In 
1855 he came to Califoruia, via Panama, land- 
ing at San Francisco from the Golden Age 
August lU. He went to see his brother, who 
was on a ranch near San Jose, and remained 
there a short time, but observing no flattering 
prospects for himself, he went to the city of San 
Jose, and laid out a place forjudge Belden. On 
the day of the festival in honor of the successful 
laying of the Atlantic cable, he started for 
Frazer River, but on arriving at San Francisco, 
friends dissuaded him from his purpose. He 
formed the acquaintance of a man from Peta- 
luma, who made him an offer to take charge of 
a vinej'ard near Santa Hosa, which he accepted. 
He remained there until 1861, and during that 
time manufactured wines. His work there was 
of such a character as to attract attention, and 
Captain Cooper made an agreement with him 
by which Mr. Lehn was to lay out for the 
captain ten acres of vineyard and two acres of 
orchard. He advocated the planting of foreign 
varieties of grapes, but the captain feared the 
experiment, so the Mission variety was used. 
He improved the place and remained in chai-ge 
until Captain Cooper's death, and for some time 
after. In 1873 he located where he now resides, 
on a ranch of ninety-two acres, which is about 
three and a half miles from Windsor. Forty 



acres are in grapes, the vines ranging in age 
from three to iifteen years. They are Sauvignon 
Vert, several varieties of Chasselas, Grey, Johan- 
nisberg, Franklin and Traminer Riesling, the 
latter variety being the finest in the vine^'ard. 
His winery was built in 1872. and has a capacity 
of about 80,000 gallons, including the enclosed 
passageway surrounding the main structure. 
The present vintage is in the neighborhood of 
10,000 gallons' per annum, which will be in- 
creased as all the vines come into bearing. He 
prunes closely, and while this method curtails 
the yield of grapes it conduces to a much finer 
quality of wines. In view of these facts his 
wines have an excellent reputation and com- 
mand a ready market. Mr. Lelm was married 
in Santa Rosa to Miss Johanna Stratman, a na- 
tive of Hanover, Germany. They have four 
children, viz.: Louis, who is superintendent of 
the Hotchkins winery; and William, Adele and 
Stella, at home. Politically, he is a Republican. 



mOMAS S. WINTER, of Mendocino 
Township, has a ranch of 160 acres on 
^J Dry Creek, which he purchased in No- 
vember, 1886, and removed onto it the same 
year. When he bought the place there were 
between five and six acres cleared, but he has 
eighteen acres under cultivation now, the most 
of which is in vineyard. He also has an acre of 
clingstone peaches, which will be grafted to free- 
stone varieties. It is his intention to plant si.K 
acres in olives in 1889. Mr. Winter is a native 
of Nottinghamshire, England, born October 16, 
1857. He was educated at Spring Valley Gram- 
mar School, and in 1874 went to sea on the 
Three Brothers, going first to Liverpool, thence 
to New Y'^ork, and afterward in the China and 
East India trade for about six years, being 
with eleven different ships. On giving up sea 
life, he returned to California, locating in Kern 
County, where he was for two years engaged in 
ranching, but finding that locality unfavorable 
to his health, he came to Cloverdale, and from 



niHTOHY OF fiONOMA COUNTY. 



tlience to liis present location. He was Tnarried at 
Alameda to Miss Beatrice Ilutcliinson, a native 
of England, reared in Derby, and whose parents 
were fur fonr years residents of Sonoma County, 
and then returned to England. Mr. Winter is 
a member of the Episcopal ciuucli. 



fll. M. C. FARRAR, of llealdsburg, is a 
native of Vermont, born at Fairfa.x, Frank- 
lin County, July 23, 1830, his parents be- 
ing James and Diana (Chappel) Farrar, the 
former a native of Vermont, and the latter of 
Canada. When the subject of this sketch was 
but one year old, his parents removed to Straw- 
bridge, Lower Canada, and six years later, to 
Highgate, Vermont. When he had reached the 
age of si.xteen years he went to live with his 
nncle, at St. Johns, Lower Canada. He after- 
ward located at Geddesburg, New York, where 
he resumed the study of medicine, began in 
Vermont. Hi 1859 he came to California, via 
Panama, arriving at San Francisco November 
28. He soon went to Amador County, where 
he practiced his profession and resided near 
Jackson for about a year and a half. He then 
went to the Caribou country, British Columbia, 
remaining one summer, then returning to 
San Francisco. From 1862 to 1869 he fol- 
lowed mining and practiced medicine in Idaho, 
Washington Territory and eastern Oregon. 
He then located in Humboldt County, bought 
a ranch, opened a drug store, and attended 
to both interests, as well as practicing his pro- 
fession, until coming to Healdsburg in 1881. 
He still retains a ranch and herds of sheep at 
his old home. The year after coming to Healds- 
burg, he bought a ranch of twenty-one acres in 
Alexander Valley, on which he has made many 
improvements. This ranch has a good location 
and the ^;oil is excellent. There are seven acres 
of fruit, planted in 1884, the varieties being 
pears, peaches, apples, apricots, prunes, etc. All 
the trees are in good condition and now coming 
into bearing. About thirteen acres are in vines, 



from three to five years old. They are Mataro 
and Zinfandel. Dr. Farrar was married in Ore- 
gon to Miss Sarah Kniss, a native of Ohio. Tiiey 
have one child, Theodosia. The doctor is a 
member of the L O. O. Y., A. F. & A. M., and 
K. of P. In the Masonic order he has procrressed 
as far as Chancellor Commander of the Knights 
Templar. Politically, he is a Republican. Since 
coming to California the doctor has attended 
lectures at the best medical colleges on the 
Pacific coast. He graduated at the Medical 
College of the Pacific November 3, 1873, and 
his diploma from the Cooper Medical College 
bears tiie date November 4, 1882. 






lEORGE ZIMMERMAN. — Among the 
'V^W P^'^'^snt citizens of Sonoma County 
whose personal histories are selected for 
representation in this volume is George Zim- 
merman, a man known extensively throughout 
the State fur his extensive operations in cattle 
and live stock generally, and who has now been 
a resident of Petaluma for twenty-four years. 
He was born May 26, 1818, in Germany, but 
was reared in Amsterdam, Holland. He came 
to this country in 1889, landing at New York. 
He stayed there ten months and then removed 
to Philadelphia, and from there, in 1847, re- 
moved to Peru, Illinois, being always engaged 
in the butchering business. In 1852 he deter- 
mined to set out for California, and left Peru 
with a band of horses and cattle, and with his 
family and household efl'ects in ox teams. He 
lost a few footsore cattle on the plains, but ar- 
rived safely with the majority of the stock at 
Sacramento, where he sold all but one team of 
horses. With these he made his way to San 
Francisco and opened a meat market on the 
corner of Dupont and Green streets. It is still 
in existence under the old name he gave it of 
the Philadelphia Market, though it has doubt- 
less changed hands scores of times since he 
opened it. In March, 1853, he sold it out and 
began stock trading in the lower country, his 



UI^TURY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



slancrhter house, etc., being at San Leandro, 
wlience he carried the meat to retailers in the 
city by boat. In 1857 he removed to Toniales 
where he had purchased a ranch tliat is still his 
property. In 1864 he came to Petaluma, and 
has been a resident here since that time, en- 
gaged in butchering and the handling of live 
stock. He owns a fine property consisting of 
ten acres, at the head of D street, where his cor- 
rals, slaughter-houses, etc., are situated, lie 
ships all his meats to San Francisco. Mr. 
Zimmerman was married in 1844 to Miss Louisa 
Kotliwang, of Philadelphia. They haveafaraily 
of six children. The eldest son, George H., 
assists his father in his business; the second 
son, who is named Charles, is a railroad engi- 
neer on the Southern Pacific; the eldest daugh- 
ter, Caroline, is the wife of Mr. Goldigger, the 
owner of a tine ranch at Tomales; the second, 
Julia, is married to G. Karevr, the boot and shoe 
dealer of Petaluma; the third, Hannah, the wife 
of C. F. Doehring, the proprietor of the U. S. 
Bakery, Petaluma; and the fourth, Hettie, the 
wife of L. Gross, plumber and tinsmith, of Peta- 
luma. Mr. Zimmerman is a staunch Democrat, 
having cast his first vote for Van Buren in his 
contest with Harrison in 1840, and his last for 
Cleveland in 1888. He is a wealthy and pub- 
lic-spirited citizen. 



tllAUNCEY WIGHTMAN.—Among the 
well known orchardists of Analy Town- 
'^*1 ship is the above named gentleman, a brief 
resume of whose life is as follows: Mr. Wight- 
man dates his birth in Rome, Oneida County, 
New York, December 13, 1829, his parents 
being Josiah and Silva (Button) Wighlman, 
the former a native of Coimecticut and the lat- 
ter of Ohio. In 1834 his father moved to Will 
County, Illinois, and became one of the pioneer 
farmers of that section. The subject of this 
sketch was early inured to the labors attending 
pioneer farming, and was deprived of nearly all 
schooling facilities, receiving very little school- 



ing. Being of an ambitious and energetic dis- 
position, he sought every means to educate 
himself, and was not mucii behind those of his 
more fortunate associates who had the ad- 
vantages of the common schools. In fact lie 
was far ahead of them in the practical affairs of 
life. He continued work on his father's farm 
until nineteen years of age, when he started in 
life for himself. After engaging in farm labor 
for about a year, he began threshing grain for 
the farmers of the neighborhood during the 
season and engaging in farming at other times. 
This he continued until 1852. In that year he 
came to California, by New Orleans and steamer 
route, arriving in San Francisco in June, 1852. 
Shortly' after his arrival he located in Santa 
Clara County. He first engaged in farming, 
then finding the prospect good for his former 
occupation of threshing, he sought for machines, 
but none were to be had. He therefore ordered 
a threshing machine and forty fanning mills 
from the East, these arriving in January, 1853. 
In that year he rented 200 acres of land and en- 
gaged in wheat growing, and was also quite 
extensively interested in potato cultivation. 
Mr. Wightman was successful in farming; his 
crop of wheat averaged fifty-five bushels per 
acre. His threshing machine was in almost 
constant requisition for months. He continued 
operations in that county until the fall of 1854, 
when, feeling satisfied with what he had accom- 
plished and gained, he closed out his business in- 
terests and returned to Illinois. Upon his arrival 
there he purchased the old homestead and settled 
down to farm life. In 1856 Mr. Wightman 
was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Brown, 
a native of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Wightman's 
parents were George and Eliza (Whallon) 
Brown, residents of Will County, Illinois, 
but natives of New Yoi-k. In the fall of 1877 
the subject of this sketch returned to California, 
bringing his family with him, and located in 
Sonoma County. Upon his arrival here he pur- 
chased eighty-five acres of land on the Sebasto- 
pol and Petaluma road, about three-quarters of 
a mile south of Sebastopol, and commenced its 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



improvement aiid cultivation. Mr. Wiglitm;in 
brought to his new oceui)ation of an orchardist 
tile same energy and sound business principles 
that had characterized liis ventures in other pur- 
suits. He soon cleared the land and planted 
both orchard and vineyard, about tliirty-seven 
and a half acres in each. These are unequaled 
in Sonoma County, and he also interested him- 
self in fruit drying. He purchased the sole 
right of the Button dryer, and commenced im- 
proving it. In this he was -eminently successful. 
This dryer is now well known in the fruit grow- 
ing districts, and is conceded by all as one of 
the best family dryers. As an illustration of 
Mr. AYightman's success in his improvements, 
it is worthy of mention that one of his im- 
proved dryers six feet and six inches by three 
feet^and eight feet in height (thirty-three trays) 
will properly and easily cure 1,000 pounds of 
green fruit per day. After ten years of labor 
upon this land, desirous of avoiding the cares 
attending its management, he sold the property 
to Mr. E. W. Hayden in 1887, and purchased 
eight acres of land of Martin Litchfield on the 
same road (Sebastopol and Petaluma) about one 
half mile south of Sebastopol. He has erected 
a line cottage residence, stable, and workshop at 
this place and is now devoting his attention to 
the manufacture and sale of his improved fruit 
dryer. Mr. Wightman may well be styled a 
self-made man. His success in life — and he has 
secured a reasonable competency — has been se- 
cured by the energy, industry, and good sound 
sense that is characteristic of the man. During 
his life in the county, though comparatively 
brief, he has made many warm friends, and has 
gained the respect and esteem of his neighbors 
and acquaintances. An independent thinker, he 
has never allowed party feeling in politics to 
bind him, only so long as he thought the party 
right. He has been a supporter of the Whig, 
Republi'can, and Greenback parties, and may be 
styled an Independent. A strong supporter of 
the public schools, he has given his children all 
advantages in his power to secure to them what 
he was deprived of, a good education. He is a 



member of the Sebastopol Grange, Patrons of 
Husbandry. From the marriage of Mr. and 
Mrs. Wiglitnjan there are four children living, 
viz: Silas, May, Oora, and George. Silas mai'- 
ried Miss Ida Parks of Illinois, and is novv 
(1888) a banker in Henry, Dakota; May mar- 
ried William Gascoign, and they are living in 
Will County, Illinois; Cora married Frank 
Norton, a commission merchant in San Fran- 
cisco, residing in Oakland; George is engaged 
in stock-raising in Kansas. 

7^ilARLES ilANGE was born in Washing- 
fCr. ton County, Tennessee, June 30, 1819. 
^^ He was reared to a farm life and schooled 
in his native county. He there attained his 
majority and, soon after, September 7, 1840, 
wedded Miss Elizabeth E. Kelpper, who was 
also a native of Washington County, born 
December 31, 1822. In 1843 they emigrated 
to Macoupin County, Illinois, and, buying 
480 acres of land, engaged in general farm- 
ing until 18(52, in which year they made 
the overland journey to this State. They 
located in Solano County, six miles from Sacra- 
mento, and there engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits. With the exception of about one year 
spent in revisiting Illinois, Mr. llange resided 
there until 1667. In that year he came to 
Santa Rosa and bought a line properly of 200 
acres, one and one-half miles north of the court- 
house, and a short distance west of the Healds- 
burg road. Tiiere he now resides in his tastily 
arranged cottage home, surrounded by beautiful 
and well kept grounds. The increasing value 
of his land, and the demands of othei-s needing 
homes, induced Mr. Range to part with all but 
fifty acres. Twelve acres of this are devoted to 
orchard with prunes as the leading fruit, though 
a variety of apples, peaches, plums, and pears 
are to be found. Retired from the cares of a 
large estate, Mr. and Mrs. Range are now living 
a quiet life. Their three children are well set- 
tled in life. Louisa, the eldest, is the wife of 



JIISTOUY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



J. B. Reid, atid lives in the immediate neigh- 
borhood; John, who wedded Miss Ella Root, 
lives at Ilollister, San Benito County; Colnmbus 
C. lives at Los Angeles. Neicrhborly and kind, 
honorable and conrteons in dealings and inter- 
course with all, this worthy couple are respected 
and esteemed by all who Icnow them. Mr. 
Range is connected by membership with no 
church. Mrs. Range was reared in the Presby- 
terian faith. 

IS ' •• a; 

fPULIUS DRESEL.— The magnificent vine- 
yard, winery, etc., owned by the above 
named gentleman are well worthy of men- 
tion in the history of Sonoma County. lie is 
the owner of about 200 acres, partly of the well; 
known " Rhine Farm," located two miles east 
of Sonoma. This land is situated in a belt lying 
along the foot-hills, with a slope to the south 
and west. It is comparatively free from frost 
and is particularly suited to grape culture. One 
hundred and fifty acres are in vines of the re- 
sistant stock, grafted with the most approved 
varieties of wine gra|)es grown in Sonoma Val- 
ley, among which may be classed the following: 
from Germany, Rieslings, Traminer, Gutedel, 
Kleinberger and Zinfandel; from France, Sem- 
illon, Sauvignon, Marsanne, Sirrah, Burgundy, 
Merlot and Cabernet. This vineyard was estab- 
lished by Emil Dresel, a brother of the present 
owner, in 1858, and was conducted under the 
name of Dresel & Co. until the death of Emil 
Dresel, in 1869, at which time the present owner 
took the place of his brother and continued the 
business under the firm name of Gundlach & 
Dresel up to the year 1875, and then under his 
own name, extending the winery to its present 
capacity of 250,000 gallons. The wines now 
grown are mostly white, which find a ready sale, 
and the spread of these wines over the eastern 
markets owes a good deal to the personal exer- 
tions of Ml-. Dresel, who for many years contin- 
ued regularly to visit the States, introducing 
the product of the Sonoma vineyards. He suc- 



ceeded also in procuring highly flattering judg- 
ments for samples of our California wines from 
the foremost connoiseurs on the Rhine, their 
good opinion giving satisfaction and encourage- 
ment to our producers. Mr. Dresel is a native 
of Germany, born in 1816. His early youth 
was spent among the vineyards of Geisenheim 
on the Rhine. He was given a thorough edu- 
cation and studied law at Heidelberg, but could 
not enter upon its practice as a profession, for 
being a man of broad and liberal views upon 
governmental questions, lie became involved in 
the political troubles of 1848, and to evade 
prosecution was compelled to leave his native 
land. He emigrated to Texas, located in the 
western portion of that State, and became one 
of its pioneer farmers. He was one of the first 
to raise without slave labor cotton, sorghum, 
wheat and rye, and to improve his flock of 
Mexican sheep with Saxon rams; he also planted 
as early as 1850 the first Riesling vineyard on 
the banks of the Guadalupe. Mr. Dresel con- 
tinued his residence in Texas, holding store in 
San Antonio during and after the war until the 
death of his brother, Emil Dresel, who left him 
the vineyard before described. He then sold 
out his interests in Texas and took up his pres- 
ent home. Mr. Dresel has for the past twenty 
years been identitied with the best interests of 
Sonoma County, and during his residence here 
has gained the respect of his associates. In 
political matters he is a staunch Republican, and 
M'as a thorough Union man during the war of 
the Rebellion, and that, too, while living in a 
seceded State, and at a time when it was any- 
thing but safe to avow such sentiments in the 
Southern Confederacy. His straightforward 
and manly course gained the respect at least 
of the enemies of the Union, and probably 
saved him from serious molestation. Mrs. Dresel 
died in Texas, in 1864, leaving three children: 
Carl, Helene and Gustave. Carl married Miss 
Rosa Gundlach, and resides upon the home- 
stead, of which his father has given him full 
charge. It is to his energetic and intelligent 
management that much of the success achieved 



UISTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



507 



is due. (xustave is a plij'sician, !uid is practic- 
ing iiis profession in San Francisco. 



_%U-!.:*"re-^..^^ 



fllOMAS C. PUTNAM.— This honorable 
gentleman and woi'thy citizen of Sonoma 
^ Comity is a native of Nova Scotia, wliere 
he was born in Colchester County, March 31, 
1888. Originally, about 200 years ago, the 
Putnams came from the old coutitry, possibly 
from England, and settled in Salem, Massachu- 
setts, and from there scattered along the Atlan- 
tic coast from Nova Scotia to the Carolinas. 
Whether they spring from one common source 
or not is a question that remains somewhat ob- 
scure. Timotliy Putnam, grandfather of the 
subject of this sketch, was born in Nova Scotia, 
his ancestors having moved there from Salem, 
Massachusetts. Timothy Putnam, the father of 
Thomas C, was born in Nova Scotia as wasalso 
the wife of iiis choice, whose maiden name was 
Pntli Dunlap. They made that their home un- 
til their deaths which occurred, Mr. Putnam's 
in 1852, and his wife's the 3'ear previous. They 
reared a family of eleven children, six sons and 
and five daughters. After the father's death 
the property was controlled by some of tlie older 
children, with whom the subject of this sketch 
remained until 1856. His education, up to the 
age of sixteen, was received at the pulilic schools 
of Nova Scotia, after which his acquirements in 
this direction were received in a practical way 
and from the reading of good books. In 1850 
he went to P)oston, desirous of learning some 
trade. A guardian had been placed over him, 
and having secured his jiermission as well as the 
sanction of others interested in his welfare, lie 
■was permitted to manage liis own course. lie 
engaged in the carriage making trade with 
Amos Hurd, of Cambridge, near Boston, with 
whom lie remained one year and a half, when, 
his right arm became lame in consequence 
of which ho was obliged to give U]) work. Hav- 
ing a little capital left him from his father's es- 
tate, he returned to Novu Scotia and engacred in 



mercantile business for himself in a little coun- 
try store, which he conducted until I\[arch, 1860, 
when he sold the business and went to Austra- 
lia. There he engaged in mining and butcher- 
ing, then went to the New Zealand mines, where 
he remained until 1862. He then came to Cali- 
fornia, arriving in San Francisco in the month 
of August, and in the fall of that year went 
East to Nova Scotia, visiting in that locality un- 
til the spring of 1863. At that time lie went 
to the Caribou mines in British Columbia, and 
remained there four years and a half, until the 
fall of 1867. During his mining experiences 
he was moderately successful; was one ol' the 
first gold hunters in New Zealand, when gold 
was first discovered there. Having seen some- 
thing of California, and always desirous of mak- 
ing it his home, as soon as he had collected a 
few thousanddollars, became to Sonoma County 
and bought the ranch where he now lives, con- 
sisting of 160 acres of choice valley land sit- 
uated in Vallejo Township. Of Mr. Putnam, 
we might say he has been moderately success- 
ful. He attributes his success to industry and 
economy and the conducting of iiis affairs on 
safe business principles He has been con- 
nected with the Bank of Sonoma County since 
1882, and for more than the past two years 
has been one of its directors. xMr. Putnam 
was married in Nova Scotia on the itli day of 
February, 1868, to Maria Ruthford, a native of 
that place, and whose ancestry is about as old 
as that of the Putnams. They were reared in 
the same village, and having known each other 
in their childliood days, are now happily wedded 
and are the parents of four children: U'illiam 
Foster, John Wesley, Ada and Milton. 



f~LMONT BROOKS, senior partner of the 
dry goods and clothing house of Brooks 
& Loomis, No. 605 Fourth street, op- 
posite the court house plaza, Santa Rosa, came 
to California from Michigan, his native State, 
in 1852, being then but two years of age. His 



IIlsroH}' OF .SOyi'MA COUNT}'. 



parents settled in Butte Countj', where they 
passed most of tlie remainder of tlieir lives, and 
where he was reared and received his practical 
business education in a dry goods store. lie 
was for many j'eurs engaged in merchandising 
in Forbstown in that county.- In 1882 he came 
to Santa Rosa, and soon became a ])artner in the 
dry goods firm of Caritliers, Brooks & Co., 
which relation continued until March 1, 1888, 
he then retiring from the firm to form the pres- 
ent co-partnership with F. C. Loomis. These 
gentlemen are well adapted both by nature and 
education for mercantile business. Tlieir store, 
which is a model of order and attractiveness, is 
kept fully stocked with a variety of the choicest 
dry goods, clothing, furnishing goods and boots 
and shoes, the most of which are purchased 
direct i'rom manufacturers or tlieir jobbers at 
the lowest wholesale prices, and are sold at a 
small profit, as their business is conducted on 
a cash basis. While every department of their 
stock is complete and well selected, the house 
makes a specialty of fine dress goods and cloth- 
ing, which in assortment and quality are not 
excelled, if equaled, in any store in interior 
California. Being affable, gentlemanly and 
honorable in their dealings with customers, 
the firm of Brooks & Loomis occupies a proud 
position among Sonoma County merchants in 
the esteem of the public. They employ two or 
three salesmen besides the proprietors, and tlieir 
trade was between §40,000 and 850,000 the first 
year the house did business. Mr. Brooks is a 
member of the I. O. O. F. He married in 
Yuba County, California, Miss J. E. Waistell, 
in January, 1872. Mrs. Brooks is a native of 
Wisconsin. 



flLIVER M. LeFEBVKE. — Among the 
n) representative citizens and business men 
»^ of Bloomtield is the gentleman whose 
name heads this sketch. His residence of over 
thirty years, and his association with the busi- 
ness interests of Bloomfield have made him 



known, not only throughout his section, but 
throughout the whole county. A sketch of his 
life is of interest and is worthy of a place in 
this history. Mr. LeFebvre was born near Mon- 
treal, Canada East. He dates his birth from 
December 6, 1836. His father, Toussaint Le- 
Febvre, was a native of Canada, but of French 
descent, and his mother, Catherine (Roy) Le- 
Febvre-, was also a native of Canada. His 
father was a hotel- keeper and Mr. LeFebvre was 
reared in his father's hotel, and received at the 
same time a good education. At the age of 
eighteen years he entered into mercantile life as 
a clerk in a general merchandise store, continu- 
ing in this occupation until 1856. At that 
time, desirous of bettering his condition in life, 
and also wishing to visit the far West, he went 
to New York and embarked on the steamer, via 
the Nicaragua route, for California. This jour- 
ney was attended with many trials and hard- 
ships. Upon the arrival of the passengers at 
Grenada on the Lake San Juan, upon the over- 
land route across Nicaragua, they found their 
further progress impeded by the filibustering 
troops of General Walker, who was at that time 
operating in that country. Here they were de- 
tained for weeks, suffering for the actual neces- 
saries of life. Amidst all their sufferings the 
dreaded yellow fever broke out and over 100 of 
these ill-fated passengers died from that disease. 
Mr. LeFebvre was also stricken down, but his 
youth, strong constitutiim, and indomitable will 
carried him safely through. Soon after his re- 
covery the route was opened to the Pacific and 
the passengers proceeded to San Francisco, 
wiiere they arrived June 6, 1856, having been 
since April 8 in making the trip. Upon his 
arrival in San Francisco Mr. LeFebvre sought 
employment and was engaged as a clerk in the 
old Rasette House for several months, after 
which he came to Sonoma County and located 
at Bodega, where lie remained for a short time 
on a ranch with an old friend, after which he 
opened a boarding-house and saloon, which he 
conducted until 1859. In that year he came to 
Bloomfield and purchased the small hotel of A. 



IIISTOBT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



S. Patterson. Upon his purchase of this prop- 
erty Mr. LeFebvre commenced making improve- 
ments, and iinaliy established his present large 
and commodious hotel — the " Big Valley 
House " — the largest and best conducted hotel 
in Analy Township. Since 1859 Mr. LeFebvre 
has persimally conducted this hotel. His repu- 
tation as a hotel-keeper extends throughout the 
State, and he certainly deserves the well-merited 
praise he has received, for he is the man " who 
knows how to keep a hotel." He has also dur- 
ing his long residence been largely interested in 
building up Bloomfield and establishing indus- 
tries, and is the owner of considerable property 
in the village, among which is the skating rink 
hall, a line structure 44 x 80 feet, with a fine lot 
two acres in area. Throughout his long resi- 
dence Mr. LeFebvre has ever been one of the 
progressive and public-spirited citizens of the 
community in which he resides, and always 
ready to aid any enterprise that tends to de- 
velop and advance the interests of his section of 
the country. The straightibrward manly course 
he has always displayed in his dealings have 
secured him hosts of friends. He is a promi- 
nent member of Bloomlield Lodge, No. 191, 
L O. O. F., a charter member of Bloomfield 
Encampment, No. 61, L O. O. F., and is a mem- 
ber of the Miisonic fraternity and has long been 
associated with the Vitruvious Lodge, No. 145, 
■ F. & A. M., of Bloomfield. Li pulitical matters 
Mr. LeFebvre is Democratic, but is liberal and 
conservative in his views. On December 19, 
1859, the subject of this sketch married Miss 
Helen Caseres, a native of Sonoma County, born 
in 1840. Her father, Francisco Caseres, was a 
native of Spain. She died August 15, 1874. The 
children born to this marriage were: Amelia 
C, born in 1860, and died May 31, 1877; Isa- 
bella Louise, who died when two and one-half 
years of age; Eugene Oliver, born May 20, 
1866; and Louis Alfred, born August 22, 1869. 
Mr. LeFebvre married his present wife October 
23, 1878. She was Mrs. Isabella (Light) Jew- 
ell, the widow of D. II. Jewell. She was born 
in New York, April 11, 1850, her parents being 



Elijah and Emily (Frasier) Light, natives of the 
State in which she was born. Mrs. LeFebvrc's 
children by her first marriage are: Emma iM. 
Jewell, born in 1867; Jesse E. Jewell, born in 
1868, and Isaac R. Jewell, born in 1870. 



^^OM^S S. GLAISTER.— The subject of 
w. this sketch is ranked among the leading 
i=^J vitic\ilturists of Sonoma Valley. "Green 
Oaks," his home, is located four miles southeast 
of Sonoma, on the road leading to Napa. This 
splendid estate, consisting of 238^ acres, lies 
mainly in the foot-hills, giving every advantage 
to be gained by diversified production. It is 
well adapted to hay and grain culture, and 
equally well to horticulture. No lands equal 
choice locations in the hills like his for the 
cultivation of the vine. Mr. Glaister is one of 
the most successful grape growers in the State. 
No disease or pest has in the twenty years he 
has been devoted to the business ever reached 
his vineyards, which include the different varie- 
ties of choice wine grapes. He has 150 acres, 
the products being manufactured in his own 
winery which has a capacity of 100,000 gallons. 
His brands are well known and find ready 
markets. The especial product of the establish- 
ment is white wine. An orchard of five acres 
on the place produces in abundance almost every 
variety of deciduous fruit indigenous to the 
climate. About 100 acres of the property are 
devoted to general farming and is elevated above 
tlie valley. No frost has during Mr. Glaister's 
residence ever appeared near his home. A very 
fine mineral spring is found on the place. An 
excellent soil for all purposes, pure air, pure 
water and absolute exemption from frosts all 
combine to make " Green Oaks " one of the 
most desirable rural homes to be found in So- 
noma County. Mr. Glaister was born in 
Cumberland County, England, June 12, 1824, 
son of Thomas and Sarah Glaister. He early 
mastered the ship builder's trade (his father's 
occupation). He was quite liberally educated. 



iiitiTony OF soxviiA county 



In 1849, in bis native land, he married Mrs. 
Elizabetli Metcalfe. The same year they emi- 
grated to the United States, and located in 
Chicago where he entered a drug store as a 
clerk. In 1854, in the city of Xew York, he 
learned photography, and fnll of adventure, 
sailed for Australia, where he followed photog- 
raphy as a profession until 1869, in which year he 
came to California and at once established his 
present home. His eldest child, Skelton, died 
in Australia in 1877, at the age of twenty-seven 
years. Blanche E., the only remaining child, 
makes her home under the paternal roof. Politi- 
cally, Mr. Glaister is identified with the Repub- 
lican party. He is a member of the Ancient 
Order of Free Matons. In the support of his 
church (Congregational) and of the public 
schools, he is liberal and constant. Several 
years he has served his (Iluieliical school dis- 
trict as trustee. 

— -^I^^Hf^-^ 



fEORGE T. MILLER, of llealdsburg, is a 
native of North Carolina, born in Ashe 
County, August 14, 1831, son of Henry 
and Charity (Welch) Miller. \\ hen he was a 
mere infant his parents moved to southwest 
Missouri, locating in McDonald County. There 
the subject of this sketch grew to manhood and 
both parents lived until their deaths. Tliey had 
a family of nine children — John, Nancy, Will- 
iam, Marj', James, Isabel, Joshua, Susan and 
George T. Nancy, now Mrs. Tyre, James, 
Joshua and George T. are residents of llealds- 
burg. Susan, now Mrs. Laymance, lives in In- 
diana. John, William, Mary (Mrs. Gunther) 
and Isabel (Mrs. Testament), are deceased. 
James married Martha Walters, sister of Sol. 
Walters, and Joshuo married Augusta Logan, 
of Missouri. George T. Miller came to Cali- 
fornia in 1857, leaving home on the 22d of 
April, in company with Lorenzo and Parker 
Maddux. They passed through the Indian Ter- 
ritory and followed the course of the Arkansas 
River in the direction of Denver. Their fur- 



ther journey took them up the Green River 
route. Arriving in California, they turned their 
steps toward Sonoma County, where Mr. Miller 
had a brother, James Miiler, who crossed the 
plains to California in 1849. George T. Miller 
had brought with him a drove of cattle, which 
he took to the mountains near Skaggs' Springs. 
There he remained until 1866, when he went to 
Idaho, locating in Owyhee County, and driving 
cattle there from Texas. In 1871 he entered 
into partnership with Sol. Walters (now of So 
noma County). This partnership continued 
until 1878, when Mr. Miller returned to Sonoma 
County. His residence is in llealdsburg, but 
lie has large ranch interests in the county, be- 
sides being a partner in the drug lirm of Mil- 
ler & Whitney. He has a ranch of sixty acres 
adjoining Healdsburg, of which twenty acres are 
planted to fruit of choice varieties, the trees be- 
ino- in tine condition. The oldest were set out 
in 1883, and the remainder in 1886 and in 
1887. Corn, wheat and alfalfa are also raised 
on this place. On Dry Creek, five miles from 
Healdsburg, he has another ranch of 110 acres, 
all of whic)> is cultivated except sixteen acres, 
thirty-four acres being in a vineyard. On the 
coast he has a stock and timber ranch of 953 
acres. He also in partnership with Sol. AYalters 
owns a gold and silver mine at Silver City, 
Owyhee County, Idaho. He is one of the 
directors of the Farmers and Mechanics Bank, 
at Healdsburg. Mr. Miller was married in 
Idaho November 27, 1878, to Miss Prudie Hur- 
ley, a daughter of William S. and America 
(Leadle}') Harley, the father born in Maine, in 
September, 1821, and the mother in Ohio in 
1831. Mr. Harley was taken to Ohio in his 
infancy, and from there to Mississippi, where he 
lived with iiis father's sister, Mrs. Prudence 
Hunt, until manhood, his uncle, William Hunt, 
being a wealthy man. He was married near 
Peoria, Illinois, in 1851, and in 1852 moved to 
Oregon, and later settled in Idaho, where he 
and his wife still live. Their family of ten 
children arc all living, and with the exception 
of Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Sol. Walters, live in 



HISrORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Llalu;. Tlieir names are as fullows — Mrs. 
Mary E. Peyton, Mrs. Julia E. White, Mrs. 
Prudie Miriam Miller, Mrs. Susie J. Walters, 
Andrew J., Mrs. Alice M. Sorauiercamp, Mag- 
gie O., William Lee, Annie G. and Ida May. 
In politics Mr. Harley is a Democrat. Mr. and 
Mrs. Miller have four children: George T., John 
J., Prudie May and Cecelia Marguerite. In 
politics Mr. Miller is Republican. 



fOHN IJAYLER owns and occupies a tine 
country home and an estate of eighty acres 
on Adams Lann, one and one-half miles 
north of the court-house of Santa Rosa. With 
the exception of a small orchai-d and vinej'ard, 
he devotes his ranch to tlie raising of Norman 
grade of horses. Mr. Bayler has owned and 
resided upon this property since 1881. He was 
born in the Province of Wiirtemberg, Achstet- 
ten Ober xliiet Laupheim, Germany, May 2, 
1835, and was reared and educated in his native 
place. In 1854 in company with his eldest 
brother, Alois, he emigrated to this great land 
of free men. He landed in New York, then 
proceeded to Cincinnati, and later spent some 
time in Kansas and Nebraska; but in 1858 he 
came to California and engaged in agricultural 
pursuits in Yolo County. In 1864 he came to 
Sonoma County and went into the redwoods, 
engaging in lumbering and also keeping a hotel, 
a business which he followed, achieving marked 
success and accumulating wealth, until he estab- 
lished his present residence, as before stated, in 
1881. February 20, 1870, Mr. P>ayler was 
united in marriage with Miss Caroline Bucher, 
who was also a native of the Province of Wiir- 
temberg, born June 30, 1835. She is the 
mother of six children, viz.: Joseph A., John, 
Teresa, Cresent, Mary and Reinhard. The 
names of the parents of Mr. Bayler are Joseph 
and Teresa (Riehsteiner) Bayler. Mrs. Bayler's 
parents were Ernest and Cresent (Schroeder) 
Bucher. Mrs. Bayler came from (iermany 
alone to meet her future -husband. They had 



been reared in the same district and were ac- 
quainted from childhood. Coming via the 
Isthmus route, she landed in San Francisco 
February 13, 1870, just one week before her 
marriage. The family are consistent members of 
the Catholic church. 



-5<-^ 



f REM AN PARKER.— In the town of 
Orange, AVashingtou County, near Knoxes 
^ Mountain and in view of Camel's Hump, 
Vermont, Mr. Parker was born April 5, 1822, 
his parents being E. P. and Laura (Flanders) 
Parker. In 1827 he was taken by his parents 
to Washington, Orange County, wliere, until 
seventeen years of age, he attended the coninion 
schools and diligently applied himself to his 
studies. He then went to Brownington Acad- 
emy, and afterward taught school for a year. 
After that he entered Newberry Seminary and 
Theological School, pursuing his studies here 
with the exception of the winter terms when 
he was engaged in teaching. He finished his 
school education at Norwich Military Univer- 
sity, but continued teaching seveial years longer, 
and after retiring from that profession, turned 
his attention to farming, lumbering and manu- 
facturing starch from ])otatoes. October 14, 
1847, Mr. Parker and Cynthia Adaline Roberts 
were united in marriage by Rev. Ely Ballon, of 
Mont))elier, Vermont. Mrs. Parker was also a 
native of Vermont, born in Williamstown, June 
20, 1821. Their first child, Pitman Wilder, 
was born October 1, 1848. In 1849, like hun- 
dreds of others, Mr. Parker set out for the gold 
fields of California. After a rough passage on 
a steamship from New York to Chagres, an 
exciting trip across the Isthmus, and a linger- 
ing delay in Panama, he obtained a passage on 
the steamship Senator wl !ch had just rounded 
the Horn, Charles Minturn being agent. Late 
in October, 1849, Mr. Parker landed in San 
Francisco where he found his brother Wilder, 
who had come to this State a year previous and 
was at that time keeping a boarding-liouse on 



HiarORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Sacramento street. Being affected with the 
Panama fever, contracted in Panama by lodging 
in a room with eighteen invalids, Mr. Parker 
was unable to do miich, and so remained in San 
Francisco until February, 1850. He then took 
anotiier trip in the old Senator to Sacramento, 
tickets costing S25. From Sacramento he went 
to Marysville in a row boat, and fi'om there to 
Long's Bar on the Yuba River, where he en- 
gaged in mining until June with moderate suc- 
cess. At that time the Placer diggings seemed 
to be exhausted and he returned to San Fran- 
cisco, arriving there just in time to see the big 
fire of 1850, which consumed most of the busi- 
ness part of the cit}'. July, August and Sep- 
tember were spent in prospecting on the river 
Tuolumne, but, being dissatisfied with the irreg- 
ular returns of the mines, he again went back 
to San Francisco. In December, with two part- 
ners, Needham and Allen, Mr. Parker located 
on Hoyo Ranciio on the northwest corner of the 
Novato Ranclio, and here they followed farming 
and stock-raising for two years. At the ex- 
piration of that time, December, 1852, Mr. 
Parker returned to Vermont for his family, and 
in June of the following year arrived in Cali- 
fornia with his wife and son Pitman. During 
the summer one of his partners, John Allen, 
was drowned in San Francisco Bay by the sink- 
ing of a boat which contained four persons. 
Allen, Knox and an Indian were drowned and 
Wheeler was saved. In December 1853, Mr. 
Parker purchased his present place. Here their 
other children were born: Gelo Fretnan, January 
17, 1854; Alma P., February 14, 1856; Laura 
Ada, January 25, 1858, died October 6, 1864, 
and George W., born July 4, 1860. There be- 
ing no school near, Mr. Parker educated his son 
Pitman mostly at home, liaving him get and 
recite his lessons aloud to him while'he was at- 
tending to his milk, butter and cheese. He 
pursued the same plan through all the common 
branches of study from the spelling book to 
geometry. Mr. Parker being an advocate of 
facts and practical education, he procured type 
and a printing press and established a family 



newspaper, in which all the members of the 
family took an active part. Mr. Parker is 
deeply interested in educational matters, hav- 
ing been a school trustee for many years. His 
son Pitman was county superintendent of 
schools in Alpine County, this State. He is 
now proprietor of the daily and weekly Astorian 
in Oregon. His son Gelo is also in Astoria, 
Oregon, and is county and city surveyor. His 
daughter Alma married Hon. James Hynes, by 
wiiom she had two children. After his death 
she man-ied David Walls, at the Haystack, or 
steamboat landing near Petaluma. George is 
in Oregon engineering and speculating. Mr. 
Parker's first wife died June 4, 1867. January 
18, 1879, he married Mrs. Eliza Jones, a native 
of Ryegate, Vermont, but after one year they 
agreed to separate. She has since died. Mr. 
Parker is and has been for many years much iu- 
terested in all true reforms that tend to save 
time and money and elevate the people to a 
position of independence and make them honest, 
just, intelligent, thinking and self-reliant. Lit- 
erature, philosophy, short-hand writing, phonetic 
printing and the spelling reform have received 
his hearty support for many years. He was 
educated according to the partial salvation 
doctrine, but by thinking he gi-ew to be a 
Universalist, and finally to be a Freethinker. He 
now believes that the more superstitious and 
ignorant we are the less we are fitted to take 
care of ourselves and help others, and on the 
other hand the more we know the better we are 
prepared to meet and manage all difiiculties. 
Facts about this world are important, but, 
"One world at a time'' is his motto. 



fW. SYLVESTER, of GeyserviUe, is one 
of the leading fruit-raisers of the 
"^ GeyserviUe district. He has a ranch of 
forty acres, which he purchased in 1877, and on 
which he has since made many noteworthy im- 
provements. In the winter of 1881-'82 he set 
out two acres of fruit trees and three acres of 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



5i:5 



vines. Two years later lie planted twelve acres 
additional of trees and four acres of vines. The 
trees are as follows: Fonr hundred Crawford 
and Honest Abe peaches, forty Solway peaches, 
thirty Orange Clings and fifty mixed early 
peaches; seventy-five apples; 100 Bartlett pear; 
between 400 and 500 trees divided between Coe's 
Golden Drop and Jefierson ])lums, and French 
and Hungarian prunes. The grapes are: 
Three acres of Mataro and Muscats, and the 
rest Rose of Peru and Mission. He will graft 
the latter two varieties to table grapes. The 
peaches have been bearing since 1886, and all 
fruits are now coining into fine bearing condi- 
tion. He picked forty-four tons of peaches from 
five acres in 1888, and on that acreage only 450 
trees were in bearing. He markets most of his 
fruits at Santa Rosa canneries, the remainder 
being sold in the local market. Mr. Sylvester 
has received $2.0 per ton at Santa Rosa for his 
Muscat grapes. The remainder of the place is 
devoted to vegetables, alfalfa, etc. D. W. Syl- 
vester is a native of Piscataquis County, Maine, 
born at Dover, January 11, 1831, his parents 
being Noyes and Elizabeth (Wright) Sylvester, 
both natives of Maine. The father was a mill- 
wright. D. W. Sylvester was reared at Dover, 
and resided there until he reached the age of 
twenty-four years, with the exception of a year 
spent in Massachusetts. He learned the woolen- 
making business and worked at Dexter six 
years, and also at Dover. In 1855 he came to 
California, sailing from New York October 20, 
on the steamer Empire City as far as Aspin- 
wall. He crossed the Isthmus and at Panama 
took the John L. Stephe?is, on which he arrived 
at San Francisco October 14, 1855. One week 
later he went to Knight's Ferry, Stanislaus 
County, where he remained nearly two years, 
following mining and also teaching one term of 
school. He then went to Butte County, and 
was at Oroville and in its vicinity for two years 
and three months, spending the summer, how- 
ever, in Plumas County, mining for the most 
part, but one season engaged in logging. He 
then returned to Kniglit's Ferry, and there re- 



mained until 1868, mining and ditching, and 
for the last tijree years of that period was en- 
gaged in merchandising with a partner, C. S. S. 
Hill. He removed in 1868 to San Francisco, 
and after a little over a year spent in business 
there, he went to San Mateo County, where with 
lieadquarters at Woodside, he was engaged in 
the redwoods, getting out cordwood, lumber, 
etc., for the San Francisco market. He was so 
occupied until coming to his present residence, 
with the exception of a brief period spent on a 
farm in San Mateo County. Mr. Sylvester 
was married in San Francisco to Miss Augusta 
P. Chapin, a native of Newport, New Hamp- 
shire, and daughter of Moses and Lydia (Hard) 
Chapin. She was reared in Massachusetts from 
an early ai^e, and came to California (her 
parents being deceased) in June, 1862. Mr. 
and Mrs. Sylvester have three children, viz.: 
Chester Wright, Daniel Hurd and Albert Hale. 
Politically Mr. Sylvester is a Republican, with 
Prohibition proclivities. Mrs. Sylvester comes 
of an old New England family. Her mother 
was born in New Hampshire, of English ances- 
try. When Mrs. Sylvester was but three years 
of age her parents removed to Irving, Massa- 
chusetts, fifty miles west of Boston. Her 
parents both died there, and are buried at 
Northfield, near Irving, the father dying in the 
spring of 1861, and the mother in 1836. 



§W. C. PUTNAM.— First impressions 
are nearly always the strongest, and in a 
* majority of instances they will generally 
be found the nearest correct. If a newcomer to 
a town finds the people live, energetic and ''go 
ahead," while the streets present a scene of busy 
activity, he- cannot but form a good opinion. 
Petaluma is one of the towns where one gets 
such a good impression. Among her leading 
citizens is Mr. D. W. C. Putnam, proprietor of 
the carriage and wagon manufactory, located oi. 
the corner of Western avenue and Keller street, 
i'etaluma. Mr. Putnam was born at Palmyra, 



UISTOUY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



New York, in 1830. He removed t'roin there 
ill 1852 to Illinois, making that State his home 
until he decided in 1802 to come to California. 
In the fall of 1862 he reached San Francisco 
a'ter an uneventful journey across the plains. 
He set out on a tour of inspection of the various 
poitions of the State in tiie vicinity of the bay 
and arrived at Petalunia on a Friday evening. 
The town presented such a busy appearance and 
there was so much life and activity manifested 
that Mr. Putnam determined at ouce to make 
this place his home — a decision wliich, as he 
says, lie has never had occasion to regret. Mr. 
Putnam learned the business of carriage-making 
in all its branches at Palmyra, his old home, 
and has followed it up ever since. His estab- 
lishment in Petaluma is an extensive one, includ- 
ing not alone the making, but also the repairing, 
painting, blacksinithing and other shops. Mr. 
Putnam is not alone a workman and manufac- 
turer, however. He is an inventor of wholly 
original designs, which promise to make him a 
wealthy man. His roadcart, of which a descrip- 
tion is here given, has received a great deal of 
attention, and the cart is coming into general 
and popular use. It was patented on Septem- 
ber 14, 1880. Although it was originally 
designed and made for a breaking cart, it 
almost immediately found favor as a general 
business vehicle for all purposes where a light 
rig was wanted for driving, etc. Foi" farm 
purposes and for children attending school at a 
distance, physicians, commercial travelers, mail 
carriers, overseers of ranches, sugar plantations, 
sheep herding, stock men, livery stables, etc., 
and indeed for almost any and all purposes 
where cheapness, convenience and durability are 
concerned, this vehicle cannot be surpassed. It 
is light, weighing only 200 pounds; it is easy 
on the horse, and with the patent foot-board 
very easy riding, taking the place of the buggy 
and saddle horse, while the price is so low as to 
place it within the reach of all, made either with 
pole or shafts, or both. He is receiving orders 
for this veliicle from all over California, as well 
as Nevada, Oregon. Sandwich Islands, New 



Zealand, Australia and New Mexico, the Cana- 
dian northwest and Manitoba. Mr. Putnam is 
a Republican of life-long standing and has been 
a foreuiusl standard bearer in this part of the 
State. He i.s a prominent member of the Con- 
gregational church of Petaluma, and a worker 
in all matters of public and general benefit. He 
is a whole-souled gentleman, popular with a]l, 
and is considered a representative and leading 
citizen of Petaluma. His family consists of 
his wife and four sons. Of these the eldest is 
in business with his father. They are "chips 
from the old block," take an active part in the 
practical work of the Rejiublican clubs, and 
promise to become, like their father, honored 
and valuable members of the community. Mrs. 
Putnam's maiden name was Rebecca Ann Town- 
send, and they were married October 27, 1859, 
and she is a native of Maryland. The boys are 
named Charles Stephen, who assists his father; 
George Clinton, Frank Townsend and Jay 
Rodney. The three younger are all at home, 
and the two younger are attending school. 



fRANK C. LOOMIS, dry goods and cloth- 
ing merchant, member of the firm of 
^ Brooks & Loomis, 605 Fourth street, 
Santa Rosa, is a native of Illinois, born in the 
city of Galesburg, from whence he came with 
his parents to California in 1858, then a boy 
six years of age. They settled in Santa Bar- 
bara when there were but three American fam- 
ilies in that place, and Mr. Loomis' widowed 
mother and several children still reside there. 
He started in to learn the dry goods business at 
the age of seventeen, and has been steadily en- 
gaged in that branch of mercantile life for nine- 
teen years. In the year 1877 he came to 
Santa Rosa and entered the employ of D. N. 
Carithers & Co., and occupied the position of 
foreman of that dry goods house for eleven 
years, up to January 1, 1888, when he formed 
the copartnership with Elraont Brooks and 
opened their store at the above number. Their 



UISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



stock comprises dry goods, clotliing, furnishing 
goods, hats and boots and shoes, of which they 
keep a well selected assortment in every depart- 
ment. The superior quality of their goods, 
their reasonable prices and honorable method of 
dealing have created confidence in the minds of 
the people generally, and their business has 
been prosperous from the start. Situated as 
this popular Urm is, in the beautiful, growing 
capital city of this great county of Sonoma — 
the garden of America — with its marvelous pro- 
ductiveness and rapidly' developing resources, 
there are few mercantile houses in the State 
that have so promising a future. Mr. Loomis 
is a member of the order of tlie Free and Ac- 
cepted Masons, and of the Knights Templar 
local commandery. He was united in wedlock 
with Miss Rose Green in January, 1884. Mrs. 
Loomis was born in Canada. Sherman Loomis, 
the father of the subject of this sketch, was a 
native of Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. The old 
gentleman died in Santa Barliara County in 
June, 1886. 

fEOKGE E. JEWETT was born in Mentor, 
Lake County, Ohio, February 15, 1820. 
His father, David Jewett, was a native of 
New Hampshire, who located in Ohio in 1818. 
His mother, Mary (Bosteder) Jewett, was born 
in New Jersey, her parents being of French de- 
scent. In 1834 his father removed to LaGrange 
County, Indiana, where he resided until 1838. 
He then moved to Henry County, Iowa, and in 
1843 went to Marion C'ounty in that State, 
where he took up government land and engaged 
in farming and stock-raising. The subject of 
this sketch was reared in pioneer settlements, 
and early became inured to the hard labor and 
privations attending pioneer life. He was nat- 
urally a mechanic and soon became a skilled 
wagon maker and carpenter. His educational 
facilities were limited to the common schools, 
but with characteristic energy and ambition he 
schooled and educated himself with the aid of 



such books as he could procure. In 1847 he" 
entered the office of R. Matthews, M. D., as a 
medical student, which he left in 1849. In 
1849, when the gold fever swept over the land, 
Mr. Jevvett's pioneer instinct and desire to" im- 
prove his condition, led him to seek the new 
El Dorado, and in the spring of that year he 
started across the plains for California. His 
employment upon this trip was driving the 
typical ox team. He was a good shot and 
skilled hunter, and consequently was often em- 
ployed as the hunter for his party. After the 
long and tedious journey across the plains was 
accomplished his party arrived in Sacramento 
October 5, 1849. Upon their arrival Mr. 
Jewett left the party and located in Plumas 
County, where he engaged in mining until late 
in the fall. He then located in Tuolumne 
County, where he pursued the same occupation. 
For the next two years Mr. Jewett was engaged 
in various mining enterprises. His success 
was such as always attends that precarious call- 
ing — one day witli riches in prospect and the 
next day seeking new fields because the previ- 
ous prospects had vanished. During this time 
he also engaged in trading in stock and mining 
supplies, and in freighting stores, etc., to the 
mines. He was fairly successful in these en- 
terprises, and in 1860, lured by the exaggerated 
stories of the riches of the Washoe jnines in 
Nevada, he proceeded to that place, and there 
engaged in his old calling as a miner. This 
venture was unfortunate and not meeting with 
anything but losses in his enterprise he deter- 
mined to abandon mining and seek some more 
congenial and surer road to wealth. In that 
same year, 1860, Mr. Jewett came to Sonoma 
County and located at Stony Point, where he 
engaged in farm labor, and afterward worked at 
his trade as a wagon maker for Mr. Windom. 
He worked at his trade until 1864, when he en- 
tered into farming and dairy operations near 
I^etaluma. This business he successfully con- 
ducted for many years, or until 1881. In that 
year he located in Green Valley, Analy Town- 
ship, where he purchased eighty-nine acres of 



516 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



fine fruit land at Forestville, upon which he 
took up his residence and engaged in agricult- 
ural and horticultural pursuits. This land was 
almost entirely unimproved at that time, but 
Mr. Jewett entered heartily into fruit and vine 
cultivation, in addition to his general farming, 
until now (1888) he has as fine an orchard and 
vineyard as there is in his section of the valley. 
His vineyard consists of twenty-four acres of 
wine grapes of the Zinfandel variety, and a 
family vineyard of table grapes containing the 
most approved varieties grown. He has a fine 
orchard of eight acres, containing apples, 
peaches, pears, apricots, French prunes, necta- 
rines, plums, cherries, etc. Both the orchard 
and vineyard show the intelligent care and at- 
tention bestowed upon their cultivation, and 
Mr. Jewett is well paid for his trouble, for they 
are very productive in yield. The rest of his 
land is devoted to hay, grain and stock. Of the 
latter he takes a just pride in some fine speci- 
mens of horses of the Norman breed, and also 
cattle, which are improved by Ayrshire and 
Durham stock. In his farming and fruit culti- 
vation Mr. Jewett is guided by the same sound 
reasoning and business principles that have 
served him so well in other enterprises. He is 
a firm believer in the future prospects of his 
section of the county, and is justly proud of the 
success that Green Valley has attained in 
orchard and vineyard products. An energetic 
and progressive citizen, he is always ready to 
aid any enterprise that will promote the inter- 
ests and welfare of tlie community in which he 
resides. He is a strong supporter of schools 
and churches, and has long been a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal church, and has served 
for about twelve years as a school trustee. In 
politics, he is a life-long Democrat, but is lib- 
eral and conservative in his views, always sup- 
porting the best elements in his party. Mr. 
Jewett is also prominent in the following orders 
with which he has been associated for many 
years: Lafayette Lodge, No. 126, A. F. & A. 
M., of Sebastopol ; Forestville Lodge, No. 320, 
I. O. (). F. (a charter member), and Fern Leaf 



Rebecca Degree Lodge, No. IIG, I. O. O. F., of 
Forestville. In 1862 Mr. Jewett was united in 
marriage with Miss Mary A. Dahlman, a native 
of Germany. From this marriage there are 
eight children living, viz.: David L., Eunice 
May, Einina Louisa, Frank W., John Egbert, 
Robert Enoch Lee, Ida J., and Carl J. David 
is now (1888) residiinng Iowa. Eunice May 
married John H. Lawrence and resides in Santa 
Rosa. The other children are residing with 
their parents. The first child, Alice J., who 
married John Blake, died in Bloomtield, in 
1888, at the age of twenty-five years. The 
third child, Lydia Augusta, died in 1887, at the 
age of twenty years. 



tDRAYEUR & BRO. are the proprietors 
of the "Two Brothers" Wine Store 
,,- " Vaults, of Healdsbiirg. The business 
was established in 1884, at which time a build- 
ing was erected, and the first vintage was turned 
out in that year. In 1885 a larger building, 
45 X 75 feet, was erected and they now have 
twenty-five storage tanks of 1,500 gallons each. 
Under the residence of N. C. Drayeur is another 
storage cellar of 35,000 gallons capacity. About 
20,000 gallons are usually kept for aging. They 
find a market for all the product of the winery 
in St. Louis and throughout the East. Great 
care is used in the selection of grapes and in 
every process of manufacture, and the result is 
a high standard of wine. Their vintage took 
the premium for Sonoma County wines at the 
Piatt's Hall Exhibit of the State Viticultural 
Society, a result highly complimentary to the 
Messrs. Drayeur. Auguste and N. C. Drayeur 
were born in Department of Loraine, France, 
their parents being John Baptiste and Catherine 
(Thuret) Drayeur. Their paternal grandfather, 
a soldier under Napoleon I., was mayor of the 
town of Emling. Their grandfather on the 
mother's side was a wine merchant. The father 
of the Drayeur brothers died in France, and in 
1846 the family emigrated to America, locating 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



in New York City, and later moving to Newark, 
New Jersey. Auguste Dnij-enr was born Octo- 
ber 11, 1841, and was but a child when the 
family came to this country, and was mostly 
reared in New York. On New Year's day, 
1860, he took passage on the steamer Washing- 
ton, bound for California, and after a voyage 
around Cape Horn, landed at San Francisco 
July 2, 1860. He became connected with the 
Miners' Restaurant, and was employed there for 
fifteen years, after which, as its owner, he car- 
ried on the business for himself for ten years. 
In April, 1887, he came to Healdsburg. He 
was married in San Francisco to Sophia Koliler, 
a native of Paris, France. They have one child, 
a son. Constant. N. C. Dj-ayenr, the junior 
member of the firm, was born December 25, 
1844. He was also reared in New Jersey. In 
1859 he came to California via Panama, arriv- 
ing in San Francisco in the latter part of Octo- 
ber. He first devoted his time to blacksmithing, 
and afterward to the liquor trade, which en- 
grossed his attention until coming to Healdsburg 
in July, 1882. He was married in San Francisco 
to Georgiana Bernabe, a native of New York 
City. They have three children: August C, 
George N., and Melina. Mr. Drayeur is a 
member of the local lodge, A. O. U. W. The 
Drayeur brothers are enterprising men, who 
iiave done their share, since coming here, in 
developing the chief industry of Sonoma County. 

— '^■m-'^ — 



tOBERT HALL.— Among the most suc- 
cessful horticultural and viticultural enter- 
prises in Sonoma Valley is that of the 
above named gentleman. His energetic and in- 
telligent prosecution of this industry combined 
with the sound business principles with yvhich all 
his afi'airs are conducted has ])roduced wonderful 
results, and shown what the soil and climate of 
this productive and beautiful valley is capable 
of when properly developed. Mr. Hall first 
devoted his attention to agricultuial pursuits 
in 1872, when, in connection with his partner, 



Robert Howe (firm of Howe & Hall of San 
Francisco), he purchased 100 acres of land in 
Sonoma Valley about two miles south of So- 
noma. From the .date of this purchase they 
devoted time and money to developing the full 
resources of the soil, at the same time increas- 
ing their possessions by the purchase of adjacent 
lands, until their holdings comprised 390 acres. 
In 1885 a division was made of the lands, and 
Mr. Hall is now the owner of 186 acres lying 
on the east and west banks of Sonoma Creek, 
at the foot of Broadway avenue. Ninety acres 
are in orchard, the varied productions of which 
are best shown by a brief review of the princi- 
pal fruits. Peaches are a specialty, there being 
2,350 trees of early and late Crawfords and 1,200 
Orange clings. Of Royal apricots he has 1,190 
trees; Bartlett pears, 1,000 trees; Beurre Clargo 
pears, 200; quince trees, 200; plum, 646; 
cherries, 852. The rest of this magnificent 
orchard contains a variety of nearly all fruits 
capable of profitable cultivation in the valley, 
including apples, prunes, nectarines, figs, al- 
monds, walnuts, etc. Ilis success in vine grow- 
ing is also worthy of notice. His vineyards 
comprise fifty-six acres, fifty-one acres of 
which are devoted to wine grapes of the 
Zinfandel and Mataro varieties, while five 
acres are producing table grapes of the most 
approved and productive varieties. In his vine- 
yard he has proved as successful as in his 
orchard. An intelligent mode of pruning, 
combined with a high state of cultivation, has 
rendered his vineyards highly productive and 
placed them in the ranks of the model vineyards 
of the valley. Tlie Santa Rosa and Carquinez 
Railroad passes through the center of his vine- 
yard on the west side of Sonoma Creek; here is 
a side track to load cars for eastern shipment, 
or San Francisco market. The rest of Mr. 
Hall's land is producing hay and grain for 
which the rich deep soil is well adapted. It is 
worthy of note that twenty acres of this land 
yielded ninet}' tons of first class hay in 1888. 
The improvements upon this fine farm have all 
been made by the present owner, and are sub- 



UI^TORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



stantial and well ordered in every respect. His 
tine two-story residence, surrounded by beautiful 
shade trees, flowers, hedges and green lawns, 
makes one of the most attractive places in his 
section. Large barns and commodious out- 
buildings attest the success that is attending 
his enterprise. Mr. Hall is a self-made and 
successful man. A brief review of his life is 
of interest, and is as follows: He was born in 
Brookline, Massachusestts, in 1841, in which 
place he was reared and received the advantages 
of a fair schooling. His father, Edward Hall, 
a native of Massacusetts, was a descendant of 
an old colonial family. He was a manufact- 
urer engaged in business in Boston, and liis 
death occurred when the subject of this sketch 
was but five years of age. His mother, Sai-ah 
(Stone) Hall, was also a native of Massachusetts. 
In early life Mr. Hall engaged in commercial 
pursuits as a clerk in business houses in Brock- 
ton, Massachusetts, then five years in Burling- 
ton, Iowa, where he remained until 1863. In 
that year he came to California, and soon after 
his arrival in San Francisci>, secured a position 
as bookkeeper in the commission house of J. 
W. Gale & Co. His strict attention to his 
duties and well proved capability rapidly gained 
the respect and confidence of his employers, 
and in 1869 when Mr. Gale retired from the 
business, Mr. Hall purchased his interest and 
entered into partnership with Mr. Robert Howe, 
under the firm name of Howe & Hall. The 
commission business thus established soon 
ranked as one of the leading houses in the city, 
and was successfully conducted until 1882 when 
the business was sold out, and the partnership 
dissolved. The next year, 1883, Mr. Hall took 
up his present residence in Sonoma Valley, 
since which time he has devoted his attention 
principally to horticultural and viticultural pur- 
suits. Mr. Hall is a firm believer in the future 
growth and prosperity of Sonoma Valley, and is 
an energetic and progressive citizen. His well 
directed efforts have done much in showing to 
the world the productions which this soil and 
climate are capalde of producing. He is a de- 



sirable acquisition to any community and his 
consistent mode of life and straight forward deal- 
ing have gained him the respect and esteem of 
his associates. He is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity and associated with California Lodge, 
No. 1, and Royal Arch Chapter, No. 5, of San 
Francisco. In political matters he is a staunch 
Republican. 

— ?^€ii"@?^*'¥ — 

fOHN A. McNEAR.— In gathering the 
personal records of the inhabitants of Cali- 
fornia, one is especially struck by the un- 
usually large proportion of men who, by their 
native force of genius and their indefatigable 
energy, have built up an honorable success from 
small beginnings, and in many instances none 
at all. It is with no apology that the name of 
John A. McNear, who is justly considered as 
the representative man ot Petaluma, is pre- 
sented as an illustration of this fact. In one 
sense indeed it may be almost said that Peta- 
luma itself stands as a monument to his un- 
wearying industry and shrewd business foresight, 
as he, more than any other man, has had to do 
with the progress and advancement, in a busi- 
ness sense, of the place. He was born on the 
23d of December, 1882, in the town of Wis- 
casset, Lincoln County, Maine, being now just 
fifty-six years of age, still in the prime of life, and 
health, and meeting acquaintances or strangers 
with the hearty bonhomie so characteristic 
of the successful man of ati'airs. He comes of 
an old Scotch family, which came to America 
seven generations ago, many of them being old 
sea captains. He was reared on the rugged 
shores of his native State, the nurse of seamen, 
Maine, and hence it is no wonder that he turned 
his attention to old ocean. At first he took fre- 
quent trips with his father, picking up as he 
went a store of nautical information that was 
later to be used by himself. In the spring of 
1852, when nineteen years of age, he shipped 
before the mast on the new ship Caj>e Cod, 
under the command of Captain Hopkins, Sears 



UlSTOltY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



mate, ou a voyage from Boston to St. John's, 
New Brunswick, thence to Liverpool, and re- 
turning to New York in tiie fall. On this voy- 
age, although but a common sailor, he embraced 
every opportunity to perfect and put in practice 
his knowledge of navigation and seamanship, 
taking two altitudes of the su:i, when off duty, 
to correct the time, not being able to take the one 
observation at midday and also lunar observa- 
tioii.s at night, and working out the ship's posi- 
tion without a chronometer or chart. The 
officers of a ship take the sun at noon when 
passing tlie meridian for latitude, and depend 
on their chronometer and "dead reckoning" 
for longitude. On his return home he com 
pleted his ediu-ation by a course of study at 
Pittston Academy, where he graduated in 1853. 
lie then, although but twenty years of age, 
accepted the position of master of the brig 
Tiberius. He made but one voyage in her, 
selling both vessel and cargo with such satis- 
faction and proiit to the owners that they gave 
him the command of the square-rigged schooner 
Coriiit]iian,\\\\ni\i he soon exchanged for the 
Jasper, and engaged in trading along the east- 
ern coast from Maine to New York. In the 
fall he went South in the new ship Tlialata, 
Captain Batchelder, from Bath to New Orleans. 
This trip came near ending his sea life, as the 
ship went ashore and he was in an open boat 
with the captain and three men all day, liable 
to be swamped in the breakers at any time. He 
then engaged in sailing a vessel from New 
Orleans to Pascagoula, Mobile and other Gulf 
jKjrts. This he continued until 1854, when he 
purchased a one-third interest iu the large 
steam saw-milling business of Messrs. Plum- 
mer, Williams & Co., of Pascagoula, Missis- 
sippi. This ho continued until in the fall ot 
185(5 lie determined to come to California. At 
this time happened what may be termed a 
providential occurrence. Before starting for 
California he wislied to return home to Maine. 
At Mobile he was offered a free passage by sea 
on a vessel ready to sail for Boston, but after 
putting all his household effects on the vessel. 



as he preferred that mode of trnveling, he sud- 
deidy altered his determination and took stage 
for Montgomei-y, and thence liy rail at an 
e.\tra expense of over §70. A storm ibliowed 
and the vessel was never heard from again. He 
took passage in the steamer Illinois to Aspin- 
wall, touching at Kingston, Jamaica, on the 
way. Crossing the Isthmus of Panama he 
took passage on the old Sonora for San Fran- 
cisco, where he arrived November 3, 1S56. 
He came directly to Petalnma, reaching here 
on November 6, and immediately interested 
himself in business, with a cash capital of 
$3,000, dealing in real estate, loaning money, 
etc. In 1857 he bought the Washington livery 
stable piroperty iu partnership with Mr. P. E. 
Weeks, to whom he sold out January 9, 18G0. 
In 1859 he erected the warehouses which stood 
near the ])resent site of the woolen mills iu 
East Petalnma. Here he did a general ware- 
house and shipping business, in all of which he 
prospered well. During the fill! of 1800 his 
brother, George AV. McNear, came from the 
East and at once entered into partnership with 
John A. In the spring George W. went to 
San Francisco, where he has since resided, and 
took charge of the large business interests of 
the firm at that center of the foreign sliipping 
trade. From 1862 to 1865 they carried on an 
extensive business, dealing in hardware and 
machinery, in connection with their warehout-e 
and grain interests. In the latter year, how- 
ever, they disposed of the hardware business 
and confined tiieir energies to the grain and 
shipping until August, 1874:, when the lirm 
was dissolved, G. W. taking the San Francisco 
business and J. A., the Petaluma. In the fall 
of 1864 they erected the tine large lire-proof 
brick warehouse, at that time the largest in the 
State, now standing in East Petaluma, and 
which attracts the eye of the visitor by its 
large and solid proportions. During the year 
1865 they built the handsome and commodious 
fast passenger steamer, Josie MeNear, expressly 
for the Petaluma trade. The putting lier on 
this line had the immediate effect of materially 



UISTOliY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



lowering the prices uf freight and passenger 
rates, from $2.50 to §0.50, proving a boon in 
this way to the people t>f Sonoma County. The 
marks of Mr. McNear's energy are visible in 
every part of Petaluma and vicinity. He is 
the largest owner of property in the town, and 
at the same time the most progressive. Had 
others been as enterprising as he, and spent 
their money as freely as he has done, Petaluma 
would be a different place and larger. Merely 
to give a list of the companies in which he is 
interested and the improvements he has made 
will occupy a large space, and it will be noticed 
that almost every thing he has undertaken has 
looked toward the public benefit rather than to 
private gain. He was the organizer of the So- 
noma County Water Works, the Sonoma County 
Bank, the strongest financial institution of the 
city, and the builder and designer of many of 
the finest business blocks in Petaluma. The 
Bank of Sonoma County, the American Stable, 
the McNear stores, said to be the finest and 
most substantial in the county, the architecture 
of which is equal to any in the State, are among 
the number. Other improvements are also 
largely his, such as the paving of business 
parts, making Petaluma the best paved town 
of its size in California. Perhaps the work 
best known and for which he is held in niost 
grateful esteem is the Cypress Hill Cemetery in 
the outskirts. It has a sight unequaled for 
its purpose, is magnificently laid out and 
planted with trees and shrubbery, and alto- 
gether is on a scale which makes it superior to 
any private or public enterprise of a similar 
character in the State. A description of this 
and others of his undertakings of a public nature 
will be found on another page. But this article 
would be incomplete were there not included a 
description of his residence, erected in 1867, 
situated on Fourth street, in the best quarter of 
the city. It occupies almost a complete cit}' 
block, and at once attracts attention not less by 
the beauty of its grounds and surroundings 
than by its handsome and substantial appear- 
ance. Tlie site has been artificially raised to a 



height of several feet above the natural level 
and a gradual slope made from the center to 
every side, thus ensuring the most perfect drain- 
age, while about the grounds is one of the most 
unique and handsome rock fences that ithas ever 
been the fortune of the writer to see. Gather- 
ing the great blocks of basalt and lava which 
are strewn so liberally on the adjoining hills, 
Mr. McNear has chosen them for their suita- 
bility, breaking the stone where necessary, and 
ranged them on end, with smaller blocks to 
close openings, and then cemented the whole 
together in an utterly immovable manner, — thus 
constructing a fence 700 feet in length and of 
immense strength and everlasting duration as a 
bulwark to the raised ground within. To be 
appreciated it must be seen. It has great 
beauty, however, especially as seen before the 
back-ground of dark green spruces, cypress and 
palms, level lawn and flowerbeds, within which 
is placed the mansion like a Jewel in its settings. 
Hedges trimmed with neatness and precision, 
flowering shrubs, the glimpses of orchard and 
garden in the rear, with all that go to make up 
a complete gentleman's residence, fau'.tlessly 
paved carriage ways, etc., all go to complete the 
picture. Then when amid these surroundings, 
their master, Mr. McNear, is seen, one can 
appreciate by the quick and firm yet kindly 
glance of his eye at once the unassuming mod- 
esty of the man and the strength and decision of 
character by which he is characterized. Mr. Mc- 
Near was married on September 3, 1854, to Miss 
Clara D., daughter of George B. Williams, now 
a resident of Petaluma, the marriage taking 
place in Pascagoula, Mississippi. They had 
five children, of whom the only remaining one 
is George P. McNear, who is in charge of the 
grain business in Petaluma, and is in fact the 
manager for his father in all his business. He 
is a man much like his lather, keen and shrewd 
in business matters, yet unassuming and gen- 
erous. Mrs. McXeardied on January 17, 1*>66. 
On May 15, 1867, Mr. McNear was married 
again in San Francisco, at the Church of the 
Advent, by Kev. George H. Jenks, to Miss 



IIISroRT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Ilattie S. Miller. They have had two children, 
John A., Jr., and Erskine I)., both at home. 
Such is a description, necessarily brief, of a 
man, whose name is widely known in California, 
for breadth of view, vigor of action and accom- 
plishment of result. He is a typical Californian, 
honorable as the daylight itself, hearty and 
free, a man who has forced his way to the very 
front without making an enemy on the ])ath, 
and who is best liked by those who know him 
best. It should be stated further that Mr. 
McNear is the owner of much outside property 
in this State, including valuable redwood 
timber lands in Mendocin<j County, property in 
San Francisco, Santa Clara County, Washing- 
ton Territory, etc. In Marin County he owns an 
undivided half interest in the splecdid San 
Pedro Rmch of 1,400 acres, devoted to farming 
aid dairying, brickmaking, etc., and possessing 
the tinest and best situated deep water land for 
raili-oad terminus, wharfs, warehouses and town 
on this side the bay. lie does an enormous 
trade in floui', grain and hay, his warehuuses 
being connected by rail and water. 



f|TIS GALE, residing on Sonoma avenue in 
n the city of Santa Rosa, was born one mile 
J" west of "Worthington, Franklin County, 
Ohio, in 1832, son of Richard and Mary Gale. 
He was reared to a farm life and early learned 
those lessons of industry and close attention to 
detail in agricultural pursuits that to him be- 
came so valuable in after life, for, from small 
beginnings, he has been successful in all or 
nearly all of his undertakings in life. In 1840 
his parents moved to Scotland County, Missouri, 
where he lived until 1852, when he came to this 
State. He became engaged in teaming in 
Placer County, where he remained until 1856, 
when he removed to Sonoma County. In So- 
noma County, in 1802, he was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Maria Merritt, the estimable 
wife who has so well aided him in building up 
their fortunes in this country. Mrs. Gale was 



born in the State of Indiana, but when a child 
was taken by her parents, Charles and Jemima 
Merritt, to Missouri. Years afterward, conclud- 
ing to make California their home, they came 
across the plains and settled in Petaluma Town- 
ship, and later in Russian River Township, 
Sonoma County. Both her parents are now 
deceased. In 1864 Mr. and Mrs. Gale made 
their home in what is now the Todd school dis- 
trict, live miles from Santa Rosa, on the road 
leading to Stony Point. Mr. Gale began tarm- 
ing operations on 160 acres of land, and has 
added to it by purchase until he now owns 410 
acres of choice valley land. In the spring of 
1877 he rented the ranch and moved to Santa 
Rosa, where, with the exception of one or two 
seasons spent upon the farm, he has since re- 
sided. Besides his fine residence property, Mr. 
Gale owns other houses and lots in Santa Rosa. 
Mr. Gale's parents never came to California, but 
ended their days in Scotland County, Missouri. 
Two of his brothers, Demus and Lorenzo D., 
came out in 1853, and now live in Petaluma 
Township. Mr. Gale has one brother, Riley, 
and two sisters, Mrs. Adelia McPhersou and 
Mrs. Mary Nuckols, living in Scotland County, 
Missouri. Mrs. Gale has one brother, John, 
residing in Petaluma Township, and a sister, 
Mrs. Mary Nichols, in Santa Rosa Town- 
ship, Sonoma County; also a sister, Mrs. 
Lydia Redemyer, in Ukiah, Mendocino County, 
and still another sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Kemper, 
in Humboldt County. 



fOLOMON Q. BARLOW.— The grand- 
father of the subject of this sketch, War- 
ren Barlow, emigrated from Connecticut 
to Sullivan County, New York, whei'e his 
children, three sons and three daughters were 
born. Thomas Barlow, the filth child, was 
born June 25, 1809. He lived in Sullivan 
County until 1856 when he moved to Ulster 
County, that State, where he died April 22, 
1882. His wife was Rachel Quimby, also a 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



native of Sullivan County, who died April 16, 
1883. In tlieir family there were eigiU children, 
four sons and four daughters, as follows: War- 
ren, a resident of San Diego, California; 
Solomon Q.. the subject of this sketch; 
George Q., San Jose, California; Mrs. Helen 
L. Perkins, Houston, Minnesota; Mrs. Anna E. 
DuBois, residing in Coin, Whitman County, 
Washington Territory; liuldah L., deceased; 
Evalina S., of Sonoma Count}', California; and 
Thomas E., residing in Ulster County, New 
York. Solomon Q. Barlow, a native of Sulli- 
van County, New York, was born May 20, 1837. 
There he received his early education, and as- 
sisted his father in the business of farming and 
lumbering; tinishing his education at the age of 
twenty-one, at the Ellen ville high school under 
Professor S. A. Law Post, principal. He then 
purchased the homestead, farm and saw mill, of 
his father who liad removed to Xapanoch, New 
York. There he continued the business of 
farming and lumbering till 1862, when he re- 
moved to Pompton, New Jersey, where he was 
agent for James Horner & Co. for two years 
during the erection of their steel and file works 
at that place. He then emigrated to California, 
via Panama, and arrived and settled in Two 
Rock 'Valley, in this county, April 21, 1864. 
In 1872 he settled on his present estate, which 
contains 220 acres, in the same valley, six miles 
west of Petaluma. The ranch is devoted to 
dairying, stock-raising and general farming. 
He has a tine orchard of six acres in various 
kinds of fruit, mostly apples. He is also largely 
engaged in raising poultry, having about 400 
hens from which he sold in the year ending 
October, 1888, 6,444 dozen eggs. February 8, 
1860, Mr. Barlow married Miss Elizabeth J. 
Denman, a native of Sullivan County, New 
York. She was boru March 14, 1837, and died 
December 3, 1874. Their children are: Eva 
E., born April 17, 1861, wife of Thomas Mor- 
dccai of Petaluma; William Denman, born 
December 29, 1862, and died September 16, 
1863; Anna D. and Fannie D., twins, born 
July 4, 1865; the latter is now the wife of Rev. 



W. II. Darden, Presbyterian minister of Peta- 
luma; Thomas Edgar, born February 2, 1867, 
and Libbie Louisa, burn February 12, 1870. 
Mr. Barlow's second marriage took place at 
Point Arena, California, October 9, 1879, to 
Miss Louisa E. Brandon, a native of Iowa City, 
Iowa, born November 16, 1841. Hy this mar- 
riage they have two children: Mary Grace, born 
March 23, 1882; and Florence, born February 
28, 1884. They have also lost two children, 
twins, Edna Mabel and Edith Elma, born July 
3, 1880, and died, the former August 16, 1880, 
and the latter August 23, 1880. Mr. Barlow 
and his wife are members of the Two Rock 
Presbyterian church; also all of his children by 
liis first wife became members of the same 
church. He is now, and has been for the past 
twelve years, an elder in the church, and on two 
occasions has been appointed by the Benicia 
Presbytery commissioner to the general assem- 
bly of the Presbyterian church. 




SiLLIAil J. EARDLEY, one of Santa 
Rosa's most active and prosperous 
young business men, was born twenty- 
six 3'ears ago, and is the third of a family of six 
children of J. R. Eardley, who came from 
England, his native country, after his marriage 
with Miss Sarah J. Jackson, also of English 
birth, and lived for a number of years in Ne- 
vada. In 1867 they removed to California and 
settled at Gilroy, Santa Clara County, and since 
then have lived several years in both San Benito 
and Monterey counties. The}' now live in 
Montana where Mr. Eardley, Sr., is engaged 
in the business of stock-raising. William Eard- 
ley graduated from the high school and at 
twenty years of age started in business for him- 
self. Six years ago he purchased a half interest 
n the insurance business conducted by W. S. 
Davis, a successor to one of the oldest insurance 
firms in Santa Rosa. After a little more than 
a year of partnership with Mr. Davis the latter 
was appointed deputy county recorder and 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



sold out the remaining lialf interest to Mr. 
Eardiey. Under his judicious and energetic 
management the business lias increased in 
volume from tlie first until he now occupies a 
prominent place among the insurance men of 
Sonoma County. He represents thirty-five fire 
companies also life and accident companies, 
many of them among the very highest in rank 
and standing in the United States, such as the 
Continental of New York the Phoenix of Brook- 
lyn, the America of Philadelphia, the Anglo- 
Xevadaof California, and the Prussian National, 
the strongest German company on the Pacific 
coast. He insures all classes of insurable prop- 
erty, both real and personal; and the premiums 
on his yearly business amounts to many thou- 
sand dollars. In the early jiart of 1887 Mr. 
Eardiey formed a partnership with E. B. Cal- 
well in the real estate business, which continued 
till the close of that year. Mr. Eardiey then 
bought his partner out, and has since carried on 
both lines of business himself. His oflice is in 
the Occidental Hotel Block, next door to the 
Santa Rosa National Bank, on Fourth street, 
and is one of the most convenient, cozy and 
busy oftices in Sonoma County. Mr. Eardiey 
stands high both as a business man and ^citizen, 
and few young men have a more promising 
future before them. In September, 18S7, he 
was joined in wedlock with Miss Jimella, 
daughter of Colonel J. A. Hardin, and a native 
of Sonoma Countv. 



fHARLES WESLEY MATTHEWS, one 
of the old settlers of Sonoma County, is a 
native of Warren County, Tennessee, born 
July 22," 1824, his parents being Abner and 
Ellen (Foxj Matthews. The father was a native 
of North Carolina, reared in Virginia, and the 
mother was born in Tennessee. The subject of 
this sketch was sixteen years of age when he ac- 
companied his parents in their removal by team 
to Lawrence County, Missouri, where they set- 
tled. There the father spent the remainder of 



his life, but the mother came to California in 
1857 and died here. When the gold fever of 
1849 came on, C. AY. Matthews decided to Xry 
his fortunes in the nesv land of promise, and in 
accordance with that decision left Mt. Yernon 
on the 10th of April, 1849, and came out by 
ox-team, following the old Fremont route, and 
arriving at the Feather River seven months to 
a day after starting. While on Lawson's cut- 
off, in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the party 
with whom he was traveling ran out of provi- 
sions, and were in damper of starvation, when 
they met a government train, and were supplied 
with sufficient to enable them to complete their 
journey. Mr. Matthews stopped foi' a time at 
Bidwell's Bar, and then went above there to 
Stringtown, where he mined almost a year. He 
then went to Nevada City, where he mined 
from spring until the spring of the following 
year, 1851, at which time he removed to Suisun 
Yalley, and farmed there nntil the fall of 1852. 
He then came to Sonoma County and located on 
a farm (which he afterward bought) adjoining 
the present southern limits of Santa Kosa. He 
improved the place, but sold it and opened a 
blacksmith and wagon-repair shop in Santa 
Rosa, having learned the trade with his father 
in Missouri. In 1865 he bought the place 
where he now resides, and has placed on it all 
the improvements now to be seen. The ranch 
contains 595 acres, and is located in Alexander 
Yalley, seven miles from Healdsburg. He has 
twenty-two acres in grapes in one vineyard, 
and fourteen acres in another. They are nearly 
all Zinfandels and mostly in bearing. There is 
also a bearing orchard of eight acres, the trees 
being peaches, plums, apples, and also a few 
pears. The remainder of the ranch is devoted 
to general farming. Mr. Matthews was mar- 
ried July 10, 1853, to Miss Mary Ann McMinn, 
a native of Illinois, born in Blunt County, and 
daughter of Joseph and Mary (Dixon) McMinn. 
Her father was a nephew of Governor McMinn. 
They have eight children, viz.: Mary Ellen, 
wife of John Bidwell; Salina A., wife of Isaac 
Beason; Ilattie E.. wife of James Patrick; John 



UISrORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Wesley, wlio married Martha Johnson; Charles 
II.; Gerenia E., wife of Monroe Chitwood; 
Joseph F., and Frances B., wife of G. A. John- 
son. Mr. Matthews is a member of the Healds- 
bnrg Lodge, F. & A. M. Politically he is a 
Democrat, and religioush' he affiliates with the 
Cnmherland Presbyterian church. 



fllOMAS FULTON.— Among the repre- 
sentative men and well known citizens of 
i^ Santa Rosa Township is the subject of 
this memoir. He is a pioneer of the State and 
an earlv settler of the county. A sketch of his 
life will be found interesting and is as follows; 
Mr. Fulton was born in Lawrence County, In- 
diana, in 1823, his parents being Ricliard and 
Rebecca (Barnhill) Fulton. He was a native of 
North Carolina of Scotch and Dutch descent. 
His mother's parents were natives of Ireland. 
In his early youth his father and family moved 
to Davis County, Indiana, where :he resided 
until 1838. In that year he emigrated to Mis- 
souri and located in Buchanan County. There 
Mr. Fulton was reared as a farmer, receiving 
only such an education as the pioneer schools 
afibrded. He also learned the trade of black- 
smith. Mr. Fulton's father was a prominent 
man in that county, was elected sheriif, and also 
held the position of postmaster for a number 
of years in the town in which he resided. In 
184:4 Mr. Fulton accompanied his father to 
Texas, to which State he drove a large band of 
horses. Upon his return home he established 
a blacksmith shop and conducted the enterprise 
until the spring of 1849. In that year, accom- 
panied by his father and brother James, he 
crossed the plains by ox team to California, 
arriving in what is now Nevada County, Sep- 
tember 13, 1849. After a few weeks' stay in 
that county they went to Santa Clara' County 
where they embarked in the lumber business 
in Campbell's redwoods. The next year they 
returned to Nevada County and for some time 
were engaged in mining, after which Mr. Ful- 



ton entered into business as a trader, purchas- 
ing stock, teams, wagons, etc., from emigrants, 
which he placed on a ranch in San Joaquin 
Yalley, where he was also engaged in stock- 
raising. His brother aided in this enterprise, 
and in 1852 went East and returned overland 
with a large drove of cattle. This enterprise 
was conducted until 1854 when Mr. Fnlton, 
with his father and brother, came to Sonoma 
County, and located in Santa Rosa Township, 
at what is now known as the town of Fnlton. 
Here he purchased 160 acres of land, and while 
he established a blacksmith shop and worked at 
his trade, his father and brother conducted 
the farm operations. Quite a little settlement 
finallj' sprang up around them, which was 
iirst known as Fulton's Cross-Roads. Upon 
the completion of the North Pacific Railroad 
through this place, a town site was laid out 
and named Fulton. A postoifice was also estab- 
lished, and from that time the town has grown 
and prospered. Mr. Fulton has done much to 
produce this result. His liberality and enter- 
prise have been felt in all public movements 
toward advancing the growth of the town. In 
1874 he built the first warehouse, besides being 
interested in other enterprises. He was for 
several years the postmaster at Fulton and 
also i s constable. In politics Mr. Fulton is a 
life-long Democrat, but is liberal and conser- 
vative in his views. He has several times been 
elected a delegate to the county conventions, 
and has always taken a great interest in the 
political questions effecting the interests of the 
county. He is now a school trustee in his dis- 
trict, a position he has held for many terms. 
He is a member of Russian River Lodge, No. 
181, F. & A. M. Mr. Fulton is the possessor 
of 107 acres of land at Fulton, upon which he 
resides and is engaged in general farming and 
stock-raising. This land is in a desirable loca- 
tion and is very productive. Six acres are de- 
voted to orchard and six to vineyard, the former 
containing a large variety of fruit and the lat- 
ter wine grapes of the Zinfandel variety, and 
also a variety of table grapes. The rest of his 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



land is devoted to haj, grain and stock. Of the 
latter he has draft horses improved with "Pa- 
cific Punch ■' stock. Mr. Fulton is a fine speci- 
men of the pioneer element of the Pacific coast 
— intelligent, energetic and progressive, en- 
dowed with that indomitable will that overcame 
all obstacles, the vanguard of xVmerican civili- 
zation. He has lived to see the plain where 
hut little over thirty 3'ears ago he pitched his 
tent, then an uncultivated waste, bloom and 
yield like the veritable "Garden of the world," 
while a populous and prosperous town springs 
up as if by magic. He may well feel proud of 
the part he has taken in producing these results. 
" Honor to whom honoris due." Let the future 
generations, when reaping the benefits resulting 
from the work of our pioneers, fail not to award 
full honor and praise to the Fultons of Fulton. 



fOSHUA CHAUYET. —Among the success- 
ful business men who settled in Sonoma 
County during its pioneer days must be 
mentioned him whose name heads this sketch. 
Few men from small beginnings have equaled 
him in grand results. A brief review of his 
active life enables us to give the following facts: 
He was born at St. Jean siir Moivre, in the 
Champaign province of France, July 20, 1822, 
son of Francois Chanvet, a millwright and mill- 
owner near Chalons-siir-Marne. His youth was 
spent in toil, and early he commenced to learn 
the trade of milling. Some years after reaching 
manhood he resolved upon emigration, and ac- 
cordingly he embarked at Havre, February 1, 
1850, with thirteen copper sous in his pockec, 
on a sailing vessel bound for San Francisco, via 
Cape Horn. Landing in San Francisco Septem- 
ber 17th, he at once proceeded to Calaveras 
County, where for a time he engaged in mining 
and later started the first bakery in Mokelumne 
Hill. In 1851 he opened the first bakery in 
Jackson, Amador County; thence, in the fall of 
that year, he located at a place called Sandy 
Bar, on the Mokelumne Kiver, where in part- 



nership with a countryman of his named Le- 
beau.x, he engaged in general merchandising, 
and in conducting a bakery. He remained in 
Sandy Bar only one year, and in the fall of 1852, 
he returned to Mokelumne Hill and again 
conducted a bakery at that place. While 
engaged in this business in the early days of 
California, he often paid as high as $120 per 
barrel for flour, and at the same time was sell- 
ing bread at §1 per pound. Early in the year 
1853 he purchased in France a two-runiiing 
stone flour mill and machinery, which, by reason 
of delay in transportation, did not arrive until 
1854. On its arrival it was put up in Oakland, 
near where McClure's Military Academy now 
stands, and was run by wind power. This was 
the first flouring mill operated in Oakland. It 
proved a failure, however, to the owner, and 
was soon given up. A year later Mr. Chauvet 
returned to Sandy Bar, but in 1856 came to So- 
noma County, and with his father purchased 
500 acres of laud and a mill site from General 
M. G. Vallejo, at the junction of Sonoma Creek 
and Ashberry Canon, on tlie Sonoma and Santa 
Rosa road, via Bennett Valley, six miles north 
of the Ibrmer place, and near the village of Glen 
Ellen. There he operated a saw mill, and after 
running it eighteen months, converted it into a 
flour mill, which was kept in operation until 
1881. On this place also his aged father died, 
and after his death Mr. Chauvet sold back to 
General Vallejo 300 of the 500 acres he had 
purchased from him. Mr. Chauvet early 
planted grape vines, and in 1875 began the 
manufacture of wine, increasing the business 
until in 1880 his out-put was 125,000 gallons. 
In this year he became associated in business 
with the firm of Walter, Schilling & Co., of San 
Francisco, a connection which was pleasant and 
profitable to both parties. His present winery, 
one of the largest in Glen Ellen district, was 
erected in 1881 at a cost of over $14,000 for the 
building alone. It is three stories in height, 
50x125 feet in size, having a storage capacity 
of over 200,000 gallons, two double-heud tanks 
having a capacity of 10,000 each. In 1888 Mr. 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Cliauvet manufoctnred 175,000 gallons. The 
shipping facilities are excellent, his establish- 
ment being connected by a railway over Sonoma 
Creek with the Sonoma Valley and the Santa 
Itosa and Carquinez railroads. Mr. Chauvet 
also operates a distillery called the "Egrot,'' im- 
porteil by bim from France a few years ago. 
From 5,000 to 8,000 gallons of brandy is the 
annnal product, of this establishment. jS'o 
better products are turned out in the county 
than his, and the brands are a guarantee of ex- 
cellence wherever known. From his estate the 
v.ater Hows that furnishes his steam power that 
drives all his machinery, and also to supply the 
needs of Glen Ellen, to which picturesque and 
thriving village Mr. Chauvet, in 1888, added a 
plat of fifty acres. In 1864 Mr. Chauvet 
wedded Miss Ellen Sullivan, a lady of Irish birth 
who came to the United States when quite 
young. They are the parents of two children: 
Henry J. and Robert A. Mr. Chauvet is a 
member of Temple Lodge, Xo. 14, F. & A. M., 
at Sonoma, and of the Society of California 
Pioneers, comprising the counties of Sonoma, 
Lake, ^[endocino, Napa and Marin. 



K. STEARNS. — Among the noteworthy 
5jnj mercantile establishments of the city of 
, i^ '^ Petaluma that of the gentleman whose 
name heads this article is considered the lead- 
ing house for jewelry, optical goods and kindred 
lines. The store is a spacious one, centrally lo- 
cated in the best part of Main street, and is 
quite a gem itself in appearance, containing a 
large and well selected stock, tastefully ar- 
ranged. Mr. Stearns is a practical optician and 
manufacturing jeweler of experience and hence 
commands a large trade in these directions, 
whilst in his stock are found full lines of 
watches, clocks, silverware, etc., in addition to 
those already mentioned. Mr. Stearns was 
born at Townsend, Vermont, April 20, 1854. 
He received his education and learned his trade 
in his native State, remaininj; there until in the 



fall of 1809 he determined to remove to Cali- 
fornia. He went to Los Angeles, entering into 
business there and continuing with success for 
two years and a half. He then went to Santa 
Clara, where and in the adjoining city of San 
Jose he conducted a jewelry establishment for 
another two years and a half. He came to 
Petaluma ten years ago, and has been engaged 
in business here constantly since he arrived. He 
was married January 1, 1876, to Miss Ida 
Corner. They have one son tjow aged eight 
years. Mr. Stearns comes from an old Vermont 
famil}'. His father served gallantly throughout 
the civil struggle, and after its conclusion 
settled with his family at Woodstock, Vermont, 
where the faniilj' still resides. He died in 1868. 
Mr. Stearns is a very pleasant gentleman, in the 
highest standing in every circle, and possesses 
one of the handsomest business houses north of 
San Francisco. 



fEOPvGE 11. KENNEDY.— Few of the 
pioneers of Sonoma County had in the 
early and later days more to do with the 
development of its resources than the subject of 
this sketch. His life has been one of increas- 
ing activity and altogether devoted to agricult- 
ural pursuits. Mr. Kennedy was born in 
Lowell, Massaclm setts, September 8, 1837, a 
son of James and Electa (Noble) Kennedy. His 
father was born in the State of New Hampshire 
in the year 1811. He was an active, energetic, 
pushing New England man, who, early in life 
became a thoroughly competent machinist, and 
was for a time the foreman of machine shops at 
AYhite River Junction, Vermont. The mother 
of George II. Kennedy was born in Lamoille 
County, Vermont, in 1809. James Kennedy, 
the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, 
was of Scotch extraction, but was a native of 
Ireland, and was a man of great force of char- 
acter and noted for his energy. He came to the 
United States in the prime of manhood. He 
was initiated into the mysteries of the Masonic 




'^^ 



ui/^r. 



IIISTOHY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



order in the old country, and died in the East 
many years ago. James Kennedy and his fam- 
ily emigrated to Illinois and located at Wanke- 
gan in 1850, and two years later crossed the 
plains and mountains to this State. Mr. Ken- 
nedy engaged in mining and hotel keeping in 
Placer County. The following year (1853) 
George H. Kennedy, then sixteen years of age, 
came to Sonoma County and purchased 160 
acres of land, one mile and a half east of Wind- 
sor. Ilis father and family, two years later, 
bought and settled uj)on an adjoining tract. 
Here we record that Ciiarles W., a brother of 
George H. Kennedy, now lives at Fort Bidwell, 
Modoc County. The improvement of both 
properties was pushed forward energetically. 
James Kennedy soon became widely known and 
was recognized as a leading man. He was one 
of tlie very few men who organized the liepub- 
lican party in Sonoma County, and was promi- 
nent in its councils, and at one time its candidate 
for county treasurer. After a life of great 
usefulness he died at his home, January 20, 
1878. He was a Mason of long standing and 
was buried with Masonic honors. His widow 
survives, and at this writing, in her eighty- 
eighth year, has her home at Healdsburg. March 
15, 1863, George H. Keimedy was united in 
marriage with Nancy Ann Salee, danghter of 
Philip and Mary Jane (Wiltley) Salee. She 
was born in the State of Missouri, but from 
three years of age was reared in California, hav- 
ing come to this State with her mother and 
grandfather Wilfley. Her mother, the widow 
of Cooper Kise, now resides in Santa Rosa. Mr. 
Kennedy added to the ranch purchase made in 
1853 until he owned a finely improved ranch of 
400 acres, embracing orchards and vineyards. 
In 1855 he ran the second grain separator ever 
used in the county. From that time to tliis 
he has extensively operated threshing machines, 
owning and operating some seasons three steam 
threshers. Honorable and scjuare in all his 
dealings, he more than commands his share of 
work in this line. In 1881 Mr. Kennedy sold 
his home atul Imught a stock ranch of 1,400 



acres at Skaggs' Springs. In February, 1888, 
he sold this property, reserving 160 acres only, 
and in the following May, with his family lo- 
cated in the city of Santa Rosa. We record in 
the order of 'their births the names of the cliil- 
dren of Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy: Alice Cary, 
widow of Fred Hazleton, late captain of an 
English steamer in the Hong Kong and Cal- 
cutta line; Charles W., a conductor on the Sut- 
ter line in San Francisco; Elbert L. and Edwin 
H., living at home; Georgie Z., who died at 
eight years of age, and Maud Ethel, at home. 
Mr. Kennedy is one of the prominent members 
of the Masonic order. He served Russian River 
Lodge, jSTo. 181, two terms as worthy master. 
In polities, he is a strong believer in protection 
for American industries. 

imATRICK M.CHRISTIAN (deceased).— 
|[M Among the earliest pioneers of Sonoma 
^ County must be classed tlie subject of this 
sketch, who was here while it was still a Mexi- 
can Territory, and who also took an active part 
in the stirring events that resulted in securing 
this fair land to the United States. He was 
born in Rochester, New York, November 22, 
1825. His father, Patrick McChristian, was a 
native of County Down, Ireland, and came to 
the United States, locating in Rochester when 
but fifteen years of age. There he married 
Miss Maria Church and, in 1831 moved to 
Perry County, Ohio, where he remained until 
1843. He then located in Andrew County, 
Missouri, and two years after, in 1845, came 
with his family overland to California and set- 
tled in Napa County. The subject of this sketch 
was then twenty years old and took a promi- 
nent part in the movements and emigration of 
the family. In Napa County his father put in 
a crop of grain which they harvested, although 
the feeling of the Mexicans was so strong against 
the Americans at the time that it was necessary 
to post guards to protect the harvest hands while 
at work. Mr. McChristian took part in the 



530 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



historic events of this period (1846) and was 
one of Captain Merrett's band tliatcaptnred tlie 
garrison of Sonoma and made General A'^allejo a 
prisoner. He wasalso presentat the bear flag rais- 
ing. The much vexed question in regard to the 
material of which the bear flag was constsucted 
Mr. McChristian lias often declared to be easily 
settled. Mrs. Sears, the wife of Captain Sears, 
furnished the white cloth, and Mrs. William 
Hudson, the red flannel. Of this he was confi- 
dent, as he himself obtained the material from 
the ladies above mentioned, and was present and 
saw Mr. Todd and others make the flag. In 
the fall of 1848 Mr. McChristian, in connection 
with Jasper O'Farrell, Samuel Norris, Daniel 
Lehigh, John Rose, George Kenlock and a man 
named Leese, went to prospecting on the Yuba 
River, and were the first to discover gold on 
that river which afterward became one of the 
great placer mining centers in the State. He 
followed mining operations until 1850, when he 
entered the employ of Mr. McDougall as a clerk 
in his store at Sacramento, and was also in 
charge of McDougall's ferry at that point. In 
the same year, in partnership with James Hayes, 
he purchased four square miles of land on 
Mokelumne River. He took up his residence 
tliere, but not liking the location, he soon after 
sold out his interest to his partner and returned 
to Sonoma County. From his father he pur- 
chased 220 acres of land which is located in 
Green Yalley, in the Oak Grove School Dis- 
trict, about three miles west of the present town 
of Sebastopol. Mr. McChristian did not take 
up his permanent residence here until 1857. 
In that year he married Miss Sarah McMenamin, 
daughter of James and Rosa (Burns) McMen- 
amin, natives and residents of Tyrone County, 
Ireland. After his marriage Mr. McChristian 
devoted himself to agricultural pursuits until 
his death, which occurred in August, 1888. 
His widow is now residing on the old home- 
stead. Mr. McChristian was well and favorably 
known in the communit}' in which he resided 
for over forty years. Politically, he was a Dem- 
ocrat and a strong Union man. Mr. and Mrs. 



McChristian were the parents of two children: 
one died in infancy and the other, James, grew 
to manhood and died in 1877, at the age of 
twenty-si.x years. The widow still resides upon 
the home place, which is managed by her 
nephew, James !Mc]\Ieiiaiuin. 



m 



|^,()N. J. C. HOLLOWAY, of Cloverdale, 
tfljln', is a native of the Genessee Valley, New 
'^•i York, liorn in Livingston County, July 7, 
1826. His father, John Holloway, a native of 
Massachusetts, was a son of a Revolutionary 
soldier — a blacksmith in a cavalry regiment. 
The mother of our subject, whose maiden name 
was Lucy Burt, was a native of New York 
State, of Quaker origin. J. C. Holloway, whose 
name heads this sketch, was reared in Livings- 
ton County, New York, and received his educa- 
tion there. At the age of twenty-one years he 
started out in life for himself, and going to 
Marion County, Ohio, was there for three years 
engaged in growing and dealing in live stock. 
He removed to Lancaster, Grant County, Wis- 
consin, and there continued in the same business, 
being the first one from Grant County to send 
stock to the Chicago market. He gradually 
increased the scope of his operations, and in 1860 
embarked in mercantile trade and banking. He 
subsequently erected woolen mills, oil mills, 
etc., and through his many enterprises became 
one of the main factors in the development of 
Lancaster and Grant counties. An active Re- 
publican, he took a prominent part in Wiscon- 
sin politics, and served four years in the State 
Senate and two years in the House of Repre- 
sentatives. In 1870 he came to California for 
the purpose of choosing a new location, and one 
year later located at Santa Rosa. He has made 
his residence in Sonoma County ever since, al- 
though his extensive business interests at his old 
home have called for considerable personal at- 
tention at intervals. He has, however, chosen 
Cloverdale for his place of residence. Since 
coming to Sonoma County, Mr. Holloway has 



IIISTOHY OF SONOMA COUyTY. 



interested himself in its leading industries, and 
is now raising some fruit as line as any produced 
in the State. His ranch adjoining Cloverdale 
contains eighty-eight acres, and on this tract he 
has planted 3,500 trees of selected varieties of 
fruits. Among them may be especially men- 
tioned 700 wliite Adriatic fig trees, as Mr. 
Ilulloway intends to make the packing of figs a 
specialty and endeavors to foster that branch of 
the fruit industry, lie also has fifty-six orange 
trees, which have shown sj)lendid development. 
The remainder are mostly apricots, peaches and 
Kelsey's Japan plums. The entire orchard is 
in splendid condition, and shows that it has re- 
ceived that attention which alone can produce 
proper results with fruit. His fruit farm ad- 
joining Sebastopol, however, being more ad- 
vanced, presents a more striking appearance of 
thrift, and in fact, is not excelled in Sonoma 
County. The place comprises eighty -one and a 
half acres. On this tract are planted 10,000 
trees, with nearly five acres of currants on the 
same ground between the rows. Of the trees, 
4,500 are peaches of choice varieties, 3,000 are 
French prunes, while the remainder are pears, 
apricots, etc. These trees were planted from 
1884 to 1886, both years inclusive. What is 
probably the richest portion of the ranch was 
formerly marsh land, but having been reclaimed, 
is now devoted to strawberries, to which it seems 
to be peculiarly adapted. From fifteen acres of 
strawberries, on which no irrigation is required 
or utilized, July and August are the only 
months without full crops. These berries are 
of the finest quality, and do not have to be sent 
to San Francisco for a market, as all are taken 
at Santa Rosa and points above, at Guerneville, 
etc. A third ranch, containing 530 acres, is 
situated about three miles above Fulton, a por- 
tion of whicli will be subdivided and sold. Mr. 
Holloway's services liave been called into req- 
uisition by the Hepublican party in California, 
and he is now a member of the State Central 
Committee, having served in that capacity 
through the trying presidential campaign of 
1888. He is a dij/nified gentleman of great 



business and executive ability, and a valuable 
acquisition to the citizenship of Sonoma County. 
Mrs. Holloway was formerly Miss Mary E. 
Baldwin, a native of Cooperstown, ?lew York. 
They have had six children born to them, but 
two living — John, who is engaged in the furni- 
ture business in Cloverdale, and Miss Addie, liv- 
ing at home. 



" ■ "' 'V V ^^•' ^ : " 

lOBERT ANDREWS.— In sketching over 
the history of the Andrews family we find 
that the forefathers were residents of 
Ireland, near the town of Derry. The paternal 
grandfather was born not far from the town of 
Derry. Not much of the early history of the 
family is known as the elder Andrews died when 
his son, the father of our subject, was a child, 
and the latter was reared by an uncle. Our 
subject's maternal grandfather was Samuel Ken- 
nedy. He also lived near Derry, and was a 
ruling elder in the Presbyterian church over 
fifty years. On a certain Thursday William 
Andrews was united in marriage, and witli Ids 
bride on the following day sailed for the United 
States, and never saw his native land again. 
He settled in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, 
near Pittsburg, just about the close of the 
eighteenth century, where he remained to within 
the last fifteen years of his life. He removed 
to Ohio in 1840, and settled in Guernsey County 
where he died. His wife's maiden name was 
Jane Kennedy. She was two years younger 
than her husband and survived him two years, 
dying in 1856 at the age of seventy-two years. 
They reared a family of eight children, as fol- 
lows: Samuel and Elizabeth, both deceased; 
Mrs. Ellen Abels, of San Jose, California; 
Robert; J. K., a minister of the Presbyterian 
church in Bedford, Pennsylvania; J. K., a resi- 
dent of Guernsey County, Ohio; Jane and 
William, both deceased. The subject of this 
sketch was reared on his father's farm in Alle- 
gheny County, where he resided until he was 
tweiity-i5even years old. His education was re- 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



ceived in a log school house, which was fur- 
nished with long benches witliout any backs to 
them, upon which the scholars had to sit eight 
hours per day. After he was fourteen he went 
to school very little, and was put to work on the 
farm. Pie was married in Ohio, January 27, 
1842, to Mary Orr, daughter of William Orr, 
a colonel in the war of 1812. Mrs. Andrews 
was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, October 17, 
1822. Tliej resided in Ohio until 1857, when 
they started across the plains bound for Cali- 
fornia. This was the year of the Mountain 
Meadow massacre, although no such trouble as 
this was e.xperienced by their party, while, on 
the contrary, the trip was marked with pleasant- 
ness. The train consisted of eight wagons 
drawn by oxen, and was made up of six families. 
One birth on the way was an important event 
tlnit happened. After being in their wagons 
five months and ten days, they landed in this 
county and went directly to Ijloonitield where 
Mr. Andrews had a sister living, whose hus- 
band, "William Abels, was captain of the wagon 
train, he having made a trip across the plains 
previous to this one. Mr. Andrews camped 
over night within a mile and a half of his 
present place. He moved on the Gaston ranch, 
which he rented for two years, and then bought 
the place where he now lives. At that time 
there was not a tree or shrub growing on the 
place, and but very little fencing. They first 
moved into a tent, dug a well, and then put up 
a shell of a house. The ranch contains 172 , 
acres of land which is devoted to dairying and 
general farming. Both Mi-. Andrews and his 
wife became members of the Two Rock Presby- 
terian church, joining by letter wlien the church 
was first organized, October 21, 1860, and they 
are the only ones left of the original seventeen 
who founded the organization. Mr. Andrews 
was chosen one of the original elders, which 
position he has filled with credit to himself and 
to the organization from that time to the 
present. They have five children, as follows: 
William Clark, born May 5, 1844; Sarah Eliza- 
beth, born Octol)er 11. 1846; Cyrus Newton, 



born May 17, 1852; Howard, born December 
16, 1854, and Rollin Watson, born March 8, 
1857. One death has occurred in the family, 
Sarah Elizabeth, wife of Charles Hutton, of 
Santa Rosa, died March 25, 1873. 



.^ [AMES CLARK. — Among the representa- 
«n! tive farmers and early settlers of Bodega 
Township, is the subject of this sketch. 
Mr. Clark is a native of Ireland, born in Antrim 
County, December 17, 1828, his parents being 
Francis and Elizabeth (McCrea) Clark, both 
natives of Ireland and of Scotch descent. Wlien 
Mr. Clark was but a youth his parents moved to 
Scotland where the father was engaged as a 
farmer and stock-raiser. James was reared as 
a farmer, receiving at the same time a fair edu- 
cation. He was also engaged as a miner in the 
iron mines of Lenrickshire County, Scotland. 
At the age of twenty -three years, in 1851, he 
decided to try his fortunes in the new world. 
He therefore embarked for New York, and soon 
after his arrival in that city went to Connecticut 
where he worked at farm labor and other occu- 
pations until 1853. In the latter year he started 
via the Isthmus route for California. He suf- 
fered some weeks delay on the Isthmus and was 
obliged to traverse the Isthmus on foot, and was 
also detained on the Island of Toboga, twelve 
miles from Panama, for about three weeks. He 
finally reached San Francisco in the fall of 1853, 
and after a short stay in that city came to So- 
noma County and located at Bodega where he 
secured work in a lumber mill. After some 
months of this labor he concluded to seek his 
fortune in the mines and he visited several min- 
ing districts in the State, but not meeting with 
the desired success in the mines, he returned to 
Bodega Township and rented a tract of land 
from Jasper O 'Farrel, located between Valley 
Ford and Bo'dega. Since that time Mr. Clark 
has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. 
He has been eminently successful in his opera- 
tions and was soon able to purchase the land he 



UISTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



533 



had rented, and as the years rolled by he in- 
creased and added to his landed possessions until 
now (1888) he is the owner of a rich and pro- 
ductive farm comprising 904 acres. This mag- 
nificent farm is situated on the Valley Ford 
and Bodega road, in the American Valley school 
district, aboTit one and one-half miles west of 
Valley Ford. Mr. Clark has spent nearly thirty- 
five years in cultivating and iniprovincr this 
farm. When first occupied hy him the land 
was in its wild and uncultivated state. He has 
now one of the representative farms of Bodega 
Township. With the exception of a family 
orchard which is producing a fine variety of 
apples, pears, quinces, plums and cherries, his 
land is devoted to hay, grain and stock grazing. 
Among his stock is a dairy of 150 cows. He 
has also such horses as are needed for farm and 
road purposes, among which are some fine 
specimens improved by AlcClellan and Alexan- 
der stock. His hogs, of which he has a large 
number, are of the thoroughbred Berkshire 
breed. The building improvements upon this 
place are substantial and first-class, including a 
comfortable and well ordered residence, com- 
modious barns, dairy and other suitable out 
buildings. They all denote the successful and 
prosperous farmer. He is also the owner of 
forty acres of woodland about four miles from 
his home farm. Mr. Clark's success in life, 
by which he has secured a competency, is due 
entirely to his own exertions. His energetic 
and industrious habits combined with sound 
business principles have produced good results. 
He is well known throughout his section as an 
intelligent and public spirited citizen, and he 
has gained the respect and esteem of the com- 
munity in which he resides. He is a member 
of Bodega Lodge, No. 213, F. & A. M. In 
political matters Mr. Clark is associated with 
the Republican party, taking a liberal and con- 
servative view upon all party questions. In 
1874 Mr. Clark married Miss Martha Caughey, 
the daughter of Arthur and Elizabeth Caughey. 
She was born in Canada. From this marriage 
there are six children, viz.: Klizabeth and 



Mamie, born February 15, 1875; Hattie, born 
March 5, 1877; Annie, born September 26, 
1878; James, born January 27, 1880, and George 
W., born June 23, 1882. 

_ ... ..i?,»;i t;.?M. ... 

fAMUEL J. AGNEW.— The subject of 
this sketch was born in Floyd County, 
Virginia, in 1830, his parents being Will- 
iam B. and Elizabeth (Carter) Agnew, both na- 
tives of that State. When Mr. Agnew was two 
years old, his parents moved to Missouri, locat- 
ing in Boone County, and then moving to 
Livingston County, and finally, in 1844, settling 
in Cass County. His father was a farmer and 
a carpenter, and Mr. Agnew was reared upon 
his father's farm, where he became versed in the 
practical knowledge of that life, and also became 
a fair carpenter and blacksmith. During this 
time he received such an education as the com- 
mon schools afforded. His natural inclination 
toward mechanical pursuits led hitn at an early 
age to seek otlier employment than farm labor, 
and he went to work in a woolen mill where he 
learned the trade of a carder. In the spring of 
1850 Mr. Agnew decided to seek his fortunes 
in the Golden State, and he set out across the 
plains for California driving a mule team. This 
journey was performed in good time and on July 
32d he arrived in Sacramento. Immediately 
after his arrival he turned his attention to min- 
ing, which occupation he continued on the Yuba 
River and at other points until 1854. In that 
year he located in Solano County where he 
rented land and established a dairy, after which 
he engaged in trading and peddling tinware, 
etc., and was also for some time a clerk in a 
general merchandise store. In 1857 he came 
to Sonoma County and located in Sonoma Val- 
ley where he engaged in farm labor until 1860. ■ 
In that year he rented 1,600 acres of land from 
General Vallejo, upon wliich he engaged in 
farmincr and stock-raisina; until 18(56. He then 
purchased 152 acres of land on the west bank of 
the Sonoma Creek, atid located in what is now 



HISTORY OF SONO.VA COUNTY. 



the Watinaugh school district. This land was 
then ahiiost in its wild State, and Air. Agnew 
devoted himself to its cnltivation and improve- 
ment. In this he has been eminently success- 
fnl, and now (18SS) has a fine farm of one 
hundred acres, having sold fifty acres to J. A. 
Porter of highly cultivated and improved land. 
With the exception of fifteen acres devoted to 
wine grapes of the Zinfandel aud Berger varie- 
ties, his land is producing hay and grain, and 
supporting stock. Among the improvements 
Mr. Agnew has put upon this place is a com- 
fortable and well ordered two story residence. 
lie has also erected a large b.arn, substantial out 
buildings, and has fitted up a carpenter and 
blacksmith shop, thus being able to make all re- 
pairs to his farming implements, etc., and even 
shoes his own horses. Mr. Agnew is an intelli- 
gent and industrious man, and well deserving of 
the success he has achieved. As a respected 
citizen and desirable neighbor he is above re- 
proach. Taking a great interest in public 
schools, he has held the office of school trustee 
in his districts for over twenty-five years. In 
political matters he is a staunch Republican. 
He is a member of Temple Lodge, No. 14, F. & 
A. M., and also of Sonoma Lodge, No. 28, 
I. O. O. F. In 1858 Mr. Agnew married Miss 
Emma Champlin, daughter of Charles C. and 
Sarah A. (Bartlett) Champlin. From this mar- 
riage there are eight children living, viz.: 
Lizzie, Ida, Mary, Charles, Ella, Newton, 
Asahel, and Sadie. The third child, William, 
died in 1886, at the age of twenty-two years. 
The oldest child (Lizzie) was married December 
25, 1882, to Charles Y. Champlin, and they are 
now living in The Dalles, Oregon. From this 
marriage there are three children, Walter, Edwin 
and Bell. 



JP^OLONEL J. S. AUSTIN, A. M., presi- 
Vj^ dent of the Pacific Methodist College, has 
^jn devoted almost his entire active life to the 
higher grades of educational work, and has won 



an enviable name and fame as an educator. He 
is a native of South Carolina, born in Green- 
ville in 1838. He graduated at the South 
Carolina Military Academy, in Charleston, in 
1861. He filled the chair of mathematics in a 
military school in Maryland in 1868, and the 
following year was elected professor of mathe- 
matics in the Kentucky Military Institute, 
occupying that position till 1876 when he re- 
signed to accept tiie presidency of the Franklin 
Female College at Franklin, Kentucky. In 
1880 he removed to Georgia to serve as presi- 
dent of a female college in that State, and five 
years later, in 1885, he was elected president of 
the Pacific Methodist College in Santa Rosa. 
Since assuming the duties of this honored and 
responsible position, Colonel Austin -has de- 
voted his best thoiight and energies not only to 
the executive and class-room work of the college, 
but has zealously and efficiently labored among 
the people of the church in their annual confer- 
ences and elsewhere, to build up an endowment 
fund, and thus lay a solid foundation for the 
permanent prosperity' of the institution. He 
presented a powerful appeal to the last annual 
conference in behalf of the endowment fund, 
which promises to bear rich fruit. Pacific Col- 
lege is taking on a new era of prosperity under 
President Austin's administration, which in- 
spires hope and confidence among its friends 
and patrons for its future. Colonel Austin's 
accomplished wife was Miss Essie Earle, with 
whom he was united in marriage soon after his 
graduation. She is also a native of the Palmetto 
State. Four daughters and one son conipose 
their family of children. 



t ESTER STEVENS, one of the most popu- 
lar teachers of Sonoma County, was born 
in Noble Couuty, Ohio, April 4, 1811, his 
parents being Leicester and Joanna (Stone) 
Stevens. The father was a native of New York 
and his parents were born in Massachusetts. 
The mother was born in .Ashtabula County, 



HISTORY OF SOJSOMA COUNTY. 



535 



Ohio, and was the first female white child born 
in Ashtabula Township. Lester Stevens was 
but five years of age when his parents moved to 
Washington Connty, Ohio, and when he was 
fifteen thej removed to "Waushara County, Wis- 
consin. He was educated in the public schools 
of Ohio and at the public and normal schools in 
Wisconsin. On the 10th of May, 18G1, at the 
village of Pine River, Wisconsin, he enlisted in 
the service of the Union. The company ren- 
dezvoused at Berlin, then proceeded to Madison, 
where they went into camp and were organized 
as Company G, Fifth Regiment, Wisconsin 
Volunteer Infantry. Th" regiment was ordered 
South immediately following the first Bull Run 
fight, going to Baltimore, a few days later to 
Washington, and shortly afterward they were 
encamped before ifanassas. They participated 
in the movements about that place and Center- 
ville. In the spring of 18G2 they were sent to 
Fortress Monroe on the Peninsular campaign, 
in which they took part, and in the snbse^juent 
movements about Richmond. Throughout these 
movements Mr. Stevens was notably engaged 
with his command in the charge of Hancock's 
Brigade at Williamsburg, in the seven days' 
fighting, and at Malvern Hill, besides many 
other fights of the Army of the Potomac in that 
historic year. When the army was ordered 
back to Alexandria, he was taken sick and went 
into the hospital at Baltimore. After five 
months there he was discharged and sent home. 
He taught school one term while at home, but 
in February, ISGi, went to Madison, re-enlisted 
and was assigned to Company B, Sixteenth 
Wisconsin, and appointed Corporal. They were 
ordered to join Sherman's force at Clifton, 
Tennessee, and overtook his army at Big Shanty, 
on the famous Atlanta campaign. He partici.- 
pated in the battle at Kenesaw Mountain, and 
from that on. During the great three days' 
fight at Atlanta he was wounded in the left arm 
and left lung in the charge upon and capture of 
Leggett's Hill by the Union army. He was 
carried ofi' the field and taken to hospital in 
front and thence was sent to hospital at Mari- 



etta, and from there went home on a thirty 
days' furlongh. At its expiration he reported 
at Madison, and was given twenty days addi- 
tional. Reporting again at the end of that 
time, he was discharged. He commenced the 
study of medicine with Dr. J. B. Jewell, and 
two years later entered Rush Medical College, 
Chicago. He resumed teaching in Wisconsin 
in 1867, and so continued until the fall of 1869, 
when he came to California. He taught two 
months in Solano County that year, and then 
came to Sonoma County, where he taught pri- 
vate school for a time. He then went back to 
Solano County, but after piloting a school 
through one summer term, returned to Sonoma 
County, where he has ever since resided and 
where he has taught in the following named 
districts the stated number of years: Washing- 
ton district, three years; Geyserville, one; Men- 
docino, three; Grape, one; Oriental, one; Guil- 
ford, one; Lafayette, one; Mill Creek, five and 
one-half; and is now in Alexander district. Mr. 
Stevens is a member of Rod Matheson Post, G. 
A. R., of which he has been Senior Vice Com- 
mander. He is Noble Grand of Healdsburg 
Lodge, I. O. O. F.; is a member of the encamp- 
ment and Rebecca degree; also of the Knights 
of Honor, and Ladies of the G. A. R. Politi- 
cally he is a liepublican. 



tDOLPH WESKE. — Santa Rosa Valley 
with its rich and productive soil, delight- 
ful climate, cultured and ])rogressive citi- 
zens, affords many attractions that induce the 
wealthy city resident to locate his country home 
within its bounds. With this in view, the sub- 
ject of this sketch purchased fifty-four acres on 
the Santa Rosa and Healdsburg road, two and a 
half miles north of Santa Rosa, where he is 
making extensive improvements in building and 
planting. A fine cottage residence of modern 
architectural design and convenience, large 
and well appointed barns and other out-build- 
ings indicate a comfortable home farm. An 



536 



UI8T0RY OF t<ONOMA COUNTY. 



orchard with twenty acres has been planted 
witli a variety of almost all the fruits ca- 
pable of cultivation in the county, also a 
fa'xiily vineyard of choice table grapes. Mr. 
Weske is devoting the balance of his land to 
thoroughbred stock. He is a great admirer of 
fine horses, and is the owner of the stallion 
" Prince Imperial,'' from the famous " Black 
Prince " and " Dictator " stock. He also has 
some fine specimens of thoroughbred Jersey 
cattle. For the training and speeding of his 
horses he designs building a race track of one 
mile in length. Mr. Weske was born in Germany 
in 1829, his parents being Henry and Caroline 
Weske, both natives of that country. He was 
aftbrded the advantages of a good schooling and 
was educated as an architect, and also as a 
practical carpenter. In 1850 he left home and 
embarked upon a sailing vessel for a voyage 
around Tape Horn to California. Upon his 
arrival in San Francisco in April, 1851, he en- 
gaged in work at his trade until July, and 
then went to El Dorado County and engaged in 
mining. With the exception of a few months 
in 1853 spent in Sacramento, Mr. Weske was 
for the next nineteen years interested in min- 
ing, and during that time was connected with 
several mining enterprises in various parts of 
the State, one of the most important of which 
was the famous Weske mine at Michigan Bluffs, 
Placer County. In partnershij) with others he 
purchased this mine in 1858. IMonths and 
years were spent in tunneling and prospecting 
imtil one by one his partners abandoned the 
nndertaking leaving him alone. His faith in 
the mine was not shaken, and with a persist- 
ency that would yield to no argument Mr. 
Weske worked in his drifts and tunnels often 
alone and unaided. He never abandoned the 
claim, and for years all his earnings in other 
enterprises and labor was devoted to the Weske 
mine. In 1870 his years of labor and waiting 
were rewarded by a remarkably rich strike in 
his mine, taking out over !B1,000 worth of gold 
in one day. In this same year, after a few 
months spent in (Termany, Mr. Weske took u]) 



his residence in San Francisco, where he has 
since resided. During his residence in that 
city he has been largely identified with many 
business industries, one of which was the estab- 
lishment of the well known California Cracker 
Compau}', now the American Biscuit Company. 
Mr. Weske is an active and progressive citizen, 
and a desirable acquisition to any community. 
In political matters he is a consistent Republi- 
can, and has supported that party since its or- 
ganization in 1856. He is a memberof Mountain 
Lodge, No. 14, I. O. O. F., of Mic'.igan Bluffs, 
Placer County, and also of Michigan City 
Lodge, No. 47, F. & A. M. In 1873 Mr. 
AYeske was united in marriage with MissEloise 
Simones. Her father, Silas Simones, died in 
1852 on the Isthmus of Panama, while serving 
as a soldier in the United States army. There 
is but one child, Rita, living from this marriage. 



fOIIN B. HINKLE.— In the history of Pet- 
aluma and of Sonoma County, Mr. Hinkle 
and his family bear an important part, and 
are deserving of extended notice, having had 
since their arrival here an active share in the 
progress of this portion of the State. Mr. 
Hinkle was born at Travelers' Rest, in Jefi'erson 
County, Virginia, on the 24th of December, 
1825, his family being one of the oldest of that 
oldest part of the United States. Travelers' 
Rest is especially noteworthy from the fact that 
there was erected the first public inn for the 
use of travelers in the United States — hence the 
name. In 1836 the family removed to Spring- 
field, Ohio, and there Mr. Hinkle gained his 
education and resided until coming to this State. 
There he was married to Miss Arabella Mc- 
Laughlin, sister of Mr. Charles McLaughlin, 
who was a pioneer in this State, coming here in 
1849, and was long one of the most prominent, 
even among the Argonauts. He had engaged 
extensively in merchandising in the mining 
camps and had pack trains carrying goods to 
them from Marysville and other distributing 



HInrOKY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



537 



points. Tlie first stage line from Marysville to 
Foster's Bar was started by liiin. Of late years, 
however, he was best known as a railroad con- 
tractor and builder, having bnilt the line from 
San Francisco to San Jose, which was the Urst 
road built in California. lie also built most of 
the old Western Pacific, which was afterward 
merged in the Southern Pacific. He was also 
at the time of his death a very extensive land 
owner and capitalist. In 1855 he arranged 
that Mr. Hinkle with his wife and family, which 
then consisted of three young children, sliould 
come to this State. The trip across the plains 
was without serious incident, and going to 
Marysville Mr. Hinkle engaged in staging, run- 
ning lines from that city to the mining camps. 
In 1857 he decided to come to Petal uma, and 
for along time engaged in staging here, running 
a line to the Haystack, the steamer landing a 
short distance below this city. He opened the 
first mail and stage route to Cloverdale and 
Ukiah, and thence to Eureka, in Humboldt 
County. He was the- proprietor of this line 
during the early si.xties, when the serious In- 
dian troubles occurred. Serious delays took 
place and great losses were experienced from 
the raids of the savages.' At the Spruce Grove 
station on the line they burned the cabins, 
stables and barns, involving a loss of nearly 
$3,000 upon Mr. Hinkle, in the shape of horses 
killed, hay and buildings burned, etc. Fortu- 
nately the station-keeper and others escaped, 
though with great difliculty. In 1866 he sold 
out this line, which was largely instrumental in 
opening to settlement a large and now very 
wealthy section of country, and for three years 
was land agent for Charles McLaughlin, on the 
line of the Central Pacific Pailroad. Mr. Hinkle 
lias since that time undertaken several important 
contracts, aniong which may be especially men- 
tioned the long tunnel upon the line of the 
Santa Fe & Union Pacific IJailroad near San 
Rafael, a work of great magnitude, which was 
rapidly and successfully completed. For some 
time he then devoted himself to agriculture 
and kindred pursuits. Mrs. Hinkle, who was 



formerly Miss Arabella McLaughlin, was born 
at Zanesville, Ohio, April 29, 1831. She was 
educated at St. Mary's Convent, at Somerset, 
Perry County, Ohio, and also at the Ohio Con- 
ference Academy, Springfield, in the same State. 
On her trip across the plains in 1855, her 
mother accompanied her. She died in Pet- 
aluma at an advanced age. Mr. and Mrs. 
Hinkle have had eleven children, of whom seven 
are living. Their names areas follows: Charles 
A., who is thirty-nine years of age and is a resi- 
dent of San Francisco; Ella, the wife of Oscar 
V. Walker, a well-known business man of San 
Francisco; Jeauette, wife of J. P. Rodgers, the 
prominent attorney of Petaluma; Edward, who 
is connected with the Argusm Petaluma; Mary, 
wife of F. K. Zook, the chief engineer of the 
Union Pacific & Santa Fe Railroad; Walter, 
who is pursuing the study of law with W. H. 
L. Barnes, the eminent attorney of San Fran- 
cisco, and Miss Katie, the youngest of the 
family and still fondly termed " the bab}-," 
although nearing the limits of handsome woman- 
hood. The' Petaluma residence of this family 
is a large and elegant structure, surrounded by 
tastefully laid out grounds, situated at the corner 
of F and Fourth streets. Over it Mrs. Hinkle, 
who is a lady of fine presence and courteous 
manners, and is an acknowledged leader of 
society, presides with tact and dignity. In 
conclusion, it should be stated that Mr. Hinkle 
is a gentleman of high standing, popular and 
esteemed by all. 



^ICKS LAPUM resides in Green Valley in 
aMn the (xreen, Valley school district, Analy 
"^i Township, at the corner of the Santa Rosa 
and Guerneville road and the west Green Valley 
road, ten miles west of Santa Rosa and five miles 
west of Sebastopol. He is the owner of sixty 
acres of rich and productive valley land, thirty- 
three acres of which are planted in orchard, as 
follows: Fifteen acres in apples, seven acres in 
Wiley cling peaches, four acres in French 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



prnces, two acres in Bartlett pears, and five 
acres containing a large variety of choice 
peaches. Among the .latter are blackberries, 
raspberries and currants. The rest of his land 
is devoted to hay and stock, the latter for farm 
use only. Among his stock are some fine 
specimens of Jersey cows. He will increase 
his orchard this season (1888) by planting eight 
acres of Wiley cling trees. This peach is a 
favorite with Mr. Lapum, and one with which 
he has been noticeably successful. His four- 
year old trees (from the dormant bud) of this 
variety yielded him, in 1888, 8150 per acre. 
He is one of the most practical and successful 
orchardists in Green Valley, and justly deserves 
the success he has attained in fruit culture. His 
orchards as well as the whole farm show the 
care and attention they receive. A comfortable 
cottage residence and commodious out-buildings, 
among which is a dry-house with the most 
improved dryers, all attest the successful and 
prosperous farmer. Mr. Lapum dates his birth 
in Addincrton County, near Kingston, Canada 
West, August 29, 1833, his parents being 
Stephen and Jane (Darling) Lapum, both na- 
tives of Canada. His grandfather, Robert 
Lapum, was a native of Pennsylvania. The 
subject of this sketch was reared on his father's 
farm until the age of twenty-one years, when 
he engaged in farming ou his own account upon 
a farm adjoining his old home, and conducted 
the same successfully until 1864. In that year 
he came to New York City, took the steamer 
route for California, arriving in San Francisco 
April 7, 1864. From San Francisco he went 
to Toulumne County and took charge of the 
stock ranch of John Cardinell. In 1865 he 
went to Santa Clara County and engaged in the 
dairy business for Melville Drinkwater, continu- 
ino- this business until 1867. He then returned 
to San Francisco and engaged in draying, and 
afterward, in connection with M. S. Rice, en- 
tered into the wood and coal business on How- 
ard street, between Nineteenth and Twentietii 
streets. In 1868 they moved to the corner of 
Twentieth and Shotwell streets, where they in- 



creased their business and became quite exten- 
sive dealers in wood, coal, hay, grain, etc. July 
9, 1871, Mr. Lapum was united in marriage 
with Miss Hattie A. Jones, daughter of James 
and Joanna (Heald) Jones. Her father was 
a native of Vermont and her mother of Maine, 
and were residents of Maine, where Mrs. Lapum 
was born January 20, 1836. Mrs. Lapum is a 
descendant, upon her mother's side, from Oliver 
Heald, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary 
war. She came to California in 1869. Mr. 
Lapum continued his business in San Fran- 
cisco until 1872, when he sold out his interests, 
moved to Sonoma County, purchased his pres- 
ent residence, and commenced its cultivation 
and improvement. He has planted twenty-one 
acres of his orchard, built the dry-house 
and made many other improvements. Bring- 
ing to his present occupation sound busi- 
ness principles, a practical knowledge of 
farming in other localities, combined with 
energy and industry, he has been emi- 
nently successful and ranks as one of the 
best farmers in Green Valley. Although not 
a pioneer of Sonoma County, he is well known 
throughout the section in which he resides, and 
wherever known is respected and esteemed. He 
is a consistent member of the Methodist church, 
and a strong supporter of churches and schools. 
A public-spirited and progressive citizen, he is 
always ready to aid in every enterprise that will 
advance the welfare of the community in which 
he resides. In political matters he is a strong 
and consistent Republican, taking an intelligent 
interest in all the political questions of the day. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Lapum have been born three 
children whose names and dates of birth are as 
follows: Harvey W., born July 23, 1872; Oscar 
E., May 18, 1874; Fanny L. L., May 1, 1877. 



fRNST RQFUS, deceased, was one of Cali- 
fornia's earliest pioneers. His advent 
into the country was years before the 
mass of pioneers crossed the plains, and while 



HISTORY OF .SONOMA COUNTY. 



539 



the territory was still under Mexican domina- 
tion. He was associated with what is now 
Sonoma County long before the arrival of our 
])ioneers of 'i8 and '49. The few iacts gath- 
ered in regard to his life are of particular in- 
terest. Mr. Rufus was born in "Wnrtemburg, 
Germany, October 13, 1810. He was reared 
to agricultural pursuits until about seventeen 
years of age, when he entered the military serv- 
ice of the Pope of Rome as a member of the 
Swiss Guards. He was there engaged for many 
years, finally returning to his native country 
where he engaged in various callings until 1836. 
His roving and adventurous disposition then 
prompted him to seek his fortunes in the new 
world, and he emigrated to the United States. 
Upon his arrival in New York he settled down to 
work for a few months, and tlien sought for new 
fields, traveling through the Southwest and 
South until about 1839, in which year he was 
in New Oi'leans. There he joined a party of 
trappers and went through Texas into New 
Mexico and through the Rocky Mountain coun- 
try. After a long and hazardous journey of 
six months at length arrived at Yerba Buena, 
the present site of San Francisco, in 1842. 
Upon his arrival he sought the rendezvous of 
hunters, trappers, etc., of that -date — Sutter's 
Fort. There he was employed by General Sut- 
ter as his superintendent or major-domo. There 
he served out flour and provisions to the inimi- 
gi'ants who crossed the plains in the early 
forties. The General early recognized his mili- 
tary skill and training and employed him in 
organizing and drilling a force for the protec- 
tion of his possessions. Mr. Rufus' lirst effort 
in this line was the drilling of some sailors to 
act as soldiers. This not proving a success he 
solicited and obtained tlie consent of General 
Sutter to organize a company of Indians of 
whom the General had hundreds in his employ. 
In this he made a success, organizing and drill- 
ing 100 uniformed Ii\dians until they made a 
very creditable apj)earance. This did not pass 
unnoticed by the Military Governor of Cali- 
fornia, and, in 1844, when the Californiaiis 



under Gen. Jose Castro rebelled against Gov- 
ernor Manuel Micheltorena, the Mexican ruler, 
the Governor solicited the services of Mr. 
Rufus, who accepted a major's commission 
nnder the Mexican Government and served 
with distinction and gallantry. As early as 
1844 or 1845 Mr. Rufus was employed in enter- 
prises in Sonoma County, such as stock raising. 
In 1846 when the Bear Flag party captured 
General Vallejo, they also imprisoned Mr. 
Rufus, presuming him to be in full sympathy 
with the Mexican Government. However, he 
was released after a dav or two, as it was under- 
stood they had nothing to fear from him. In 
1846 Mr. Rufus located permanently at Fort 
Ross, where he had been granted 10,000 acres 
of land known as the Rancho de Hermann, given 
to him in consideration for services rendered 
the Mexican Government in quelling the revolt. 
There he engaged for years in general farming 
and also had a flour-n^ill. He occupied the old 
Russian buildings and fort and was the em- 
ployer of a large number of Indians. He took 
a prominent lead in all enterprises tending to 
develop the section in winch he resided, and 
was elected a member of the Legislature, be- 
sides holding local offices. He was also iden- 
tified with the landed interests of Sonoma 
Valley where he was quite a laud owner. In 
1854 Mr. Rufus made an extended tour through 
Europe, occupying over a year in his travels. 
While in Germany, in that year, he married 
Miss Frederika Montigel, a native of Wnrtem- 
burg. In 1855 he returned with his bride to 
Sonoma County and took up his residence in 
Sonoma, after which he established his resi- 
dence about one mile east of Sonoma, and de- 
voted himself to grape cultivation. He was 
one of the lirst to recognize the possibilities of 
Sonoma County in the matter of produeitig 
wine, and did much to cnL'ourage and build up 
the wine industry. Mr. Rufus remained upon 
this place until his death, which occurred Sep- 
tember 2, 1887. In his death the community 
lost one of its most respected citizens. A man of 
unblemished character, both public and private. 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Ill's integrity was unquestionable, and it was 
well and truthfully said that his word was as 
good as his bond. He was widely known through- 
out both county and State, and his funeral was 
more largely attended than any that ever'oc- 
cnrred in Sonoma Valley. Of the family of 
Mr. and Mrs. Eufus there are four children liv- 
ing, viz.: Louise M., Otto E., Bertie A., and 
Mina. Bertie A. married Henry Wicker, and 
is now (1888) residing in San Francisco. The 
other children are living with their mother 
upon a portion of the old homestead, which is 
nnder the control and direction of Otto R. 
Rufus. 



r^ J. HOPKINS, one of the most enter- 
HvH^ crising citizens, and a leading hnnber 
'^^^ merchant of Petaluma, was born in 
Yates County, New York, June 23, 18-43. His 
father, Samuel J. Hopkins, was a native of Great 
Barrington, Massachusetts, and his mother, 
whose maiden name was Hannah L. Moore- 
honse, was born in New York State. In 1852 
the family, consisting of Mr. Hopkins, his wife 
and two children, sailed from New York for 
California, making the trip via Panama, and 
landed in San Francisco February 3, of that 
year. The old gentleman located in that city 
and carried on the lumber business until his 
death, which occurred in May, 1868. The 
widow is now a resident of Petaluma, where 
she is making her home with her son, at the 
advanced age of seventy-live years. The sub- 
ject of this sketch was about eight years of age 
when he came to this State. He was educated 
at the public schools of San Francisco until 
1860, when he went to Massachusetts and 
entered the Sedgwick Institute at Great Bar- 
rington, remaining there about one year. He 
then returned to San Francisco and engaged in 
teaming and hauling lumber for his father with 
whom he remained two years. At the expira- 
tion of that time he went to work for the Men- 
docino Lumber Company — John T. Penneli — 



where lie was employed a year and a half. After 
that he next engaged in draying in San Fran- 
cisco until he came to Petaluma, June 21, 1868. 
For three years he was engaged in the milk 
business, and from that went into the mercan- 
tile trade, handling furniture, crockery, etc., in 
which he remained until 1876. He then 
entered the Rice lumber yard, taking a five 
years' lease of the same and running it on a 
percentage. At the expiration of that time he 
bought the entire business, which he now con- 
trols. It is the pioneer lumber yard of this 
city, and was first started by C. B. Bice. Mr. 
Hopkins has on hand at all times a full and gen- 
eral assortment of first-class lumber, carrying 
on the average a stock of half a million feet. 
Mr. Hopkins became a member of the Petaluma 
Lodge, No. 30, I. O. O. F., about fifteen years 
ago. He was united in marriage, June 23, 
1864, to Lois W. Raymond, daughter of James 
M. Raymond. Mrs. Hopkins was born in Bos- 
ton, Massachusetts, and came with her parents 
from New York to San Francisco about 1854. 
They have one daughter. Lulu W. 



♦ tl ' SuS ' 



fO. B. GUNN, of San Francisco, has a 
ranch of 160 acres lying about one quarter 
® of a mile south of West Windsor. Of 
this tract 118 acres are planted to vineyard, the 
most of the vines being from seven to eight 
years old. One-third of the acreage is in the 
Zinfandel grape, the remainder being Johannis- 
berg. Grey and Franklin Riesling, Golden and 
Fountainbleau Chasselas, and Mataro. The 
place is now in excellent condition, and the 
vines, nearly all of which are in bearing, present 
a uniformly healthy appearance. The winery 
is a large brick building, well constructed, hav- 
ing a cellar with an area of 69 x 43 feet, and was 
erected in 1884. The fermenting room, which 
measures 36 x 50 feet on the ground, was built 
in 1888. The winery has a storage capacity of 
nearly 80,000 gallons; every process of manu- 
facture is carefully superintended; and the wine 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



has ail excellenfr reputation. John Champion, 
whose main interests are at Asti, manages the 
business at the pUuit, and exercises a general 
supervision. 



fOIIN CHAMPION, of Asti, owns a ranch 
of 285 acres on the road between Ilealds- 
burg and Cioverdale, three miles south of 
the latter place. About seventy acres of the 
ranch are in vineyard, the remainder being 
pasture and Russian River bottom land, the lat- 
ter devoted to general farming purposes. About 
twentj-iive acres of the vines are eight years 
old, the rest ranging in age from two to four 
years. The varieties are Poinillon, Sauvignon 
Vert, Black Burgundy, Fountainbleau Chasselas, 
Tarrat, Mataro, Fehrzagos and Trousseau, and a 
few Missions among the older vines. Most of 
the improvements are due to the present pro- 
prietor, and the place occupies a picturescjue lo- 
cation and presents a handsome appearance. He 
is a native of Nottinghamshire, England, and 
was educated at Harrow. In January, 1882, 
he came to America, and located in California, 
near Los Angeles. From tliere he removed to 
his present location. Besides giving his atten- 
tion to his own ranch interests, Mr. Champion 
also manages the business of the Gunn ranch 
and winery, near Windsor. 



I^EV. SAMUEL S. FISK, pastor of the 
yra Santa Rosa Baptist church, was born in 
^1^ Nova Scotia, British North America, 
where he was educated at Horton Academy 
and Acadia College. Soon after completing 
his collegiate course he came to the United 
States and taught school a year in Belvidere, 
Illinois. He was then ordained to the ministry 
and took pastoral ciiarge of the Baptist church 
in St. Charles, that State. After filling that 
pulpit three years he was called to the pastorate 
of the clnirch of that denomination in Wauke- 



gan, Illinois, where he officiated three years. 
Both of these churches were large and flourish- 
ing societies when he severed his connection 
with them. In Marcli, 1876, Mr. Fisk came to 
California, settling for a time in Los Angeles, 
and was not engaged in regular pastoral work, 
but preaching occasionally, for about two years. 
In 1879 he was elected pastor of the Baptist 
church in Santa Barbara, and during his five 
years of administration the society greatly in- 
creased in membership, and in material as well 
as spiritual prosperity. While there he affected 
the purchase of a house of worship for his con- 
gregation from the Episcopalian society of that 
city. Mr. Fisk resigned his pulpit in Santa 
Barbara, expecting to return to the East; but 
received and accepted a call to preach at Duarte 
and Pasadena. At the latter place he organ- 
ized a chui'ch, starting with thirteen members, 
which increased to sixty during the year, and 
in that time the members subscribed $1,800 to 
build a church edifice on a lot which was pre- 
sented to the society. The labor at the two jwints 
proving too arduous, Mr. Fisk, after the first 
year, confined his pastoral work to the church in 
Pasadena. At the close of the second year he 
resigned, owing to the ill health of his wife, and 
spent a year at Long Beach, after which he re- 
turned to Illinois with the intention of remain- 
ing; but a few months experience in that climate 
sufiiced to make them very homesick for the 
Golden State. Determining to come back to 
this land of sunshine and flowers, they reached 
Santa Rosa in the latter part of the summer of 
1886, and September 1st, Mr. Fisk entered upon 
his duties as pastor of the Santa Rosa Baptist 
church, which relation he still sustains. The 
church has had a prosperous career under his 
ministrations, there having been eighty four 
accessions in the two years, increasing the metn- 
bership to a hundred and sixty communicants 
in good standing, while the congregation has 
more than doubled in number. Mr. Fisk is a 
gentleman of aflfable manners, fraternal and com- 
panionable in society; and in the pulpit his ser- 
mons arc characterized by^learness and logical 



EI STORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 






force, and are presented with that sincerity and 
Cliristian zeal which impresses and convinces 
Ills auditors. Mr. Fisk resides with his family 
on tiie line frnit farm,of which he is joint owner, 
consisting of eiglity acres situated two miles 
north of Santa Rosa, and valued at S400 per 
acre. He also owns two dwelling iiouses on 
Culleo-e avenue in tlie city. 



W. FERGUSON, of Mendocino Town- 
siiip, is a native of North Carolina, 
i'^^jti-J ® born in Guilford County, December 
13, 1810, his parents being David B. and Nancy 
(Pegram) Ferguson, both of whom were born 
in North Carolina. They removed to Pulaski 
County, Kentuckv, and when they arrived at 
their new home the subject of thfs sketch was 
just one day less than three months old. There 
he was reared to the age of nineteen years, 
when he went to Owen County, Indiana, and 
two years later was joined by his parents. There 
the fatiier lived until his death, which occurred 
in 1834, when he was fifty years of age. The 
mother afterward removed to Iowa, and died in 
Marshall County, the same State, at the age of 
eigiity-six years. William W. Ferguson was 
married in Clay County, Indiana, November 15, 
1832, to Miss Mary Cooprider. In 1845 they 
removed to a wild portion of Iowa, which was 
at that time unorganized. When the county 
was organized Mr. Ferguson had the honor of 
naming botii the county and county seat, which 
are respectively Jasper and Newton. Early in 
1849 he decided to emigrate to California, and 
going to Okaloosa to obtain an outfit, tliey 
started from there on the 2d of May, in a party of 
fifteen wagons. They crossed the Missouri River 
at Council Bluffs, at which place the train was 
augmented to forty-eight wagons. When the 
train was attacked by cholera, further on the 
journey, however, it split up into smaller par- 
ties. Their route took them across the Loupe 
fork of tlie North Platte River, wlience they 
proceeded to Fort Laramie, crossing the North 



Piatte,andgoing through the Black Hills. They 
recrossed tlie North Platte 125 miles above Fort 
Laramie, then went in the direction of the 
Sweetwater and followed that stream to the sum- 
mit of the Rocky Mountains. From there they 
chose the S\iblett's cut off route, and to the 
head water of the Humboldt River, which they 
followed until within forty miles of its sink. At 
this point they were met by a man who told 
them tliit there was no grass for stock the way 
they were going and advised them to take the 
Lawson route by Pitt River. This they struck 
near its head within four miles of Goose Lake, 
and followed it to Lawson settlement, three 
miles above Tehama. They then went to Yuba 
City, and after spending a year there proceeded 
to Marysville. From there they went to Ohio 
Flat, a mile and a half from Forbestown, where 
they remained until 1857, when they removed 
to Sonoma County, locating in Alexander Val- 
ley, where John N. Ferguson now resides. The 
trip across the plains was uneventful except for 
some disturbances by Indians. The savages 
killed fourteen yoke of oxen belonging to the 
train, one yoke being the property of Mr. Fer- 
guson. When, however, they got within thirty- 
five miles of Lawson settlement, an accident 
occurred which for the first time cast theshadow 
of gloom over the party. They were encamped 
for the 7iight at the point mentioned, and a man 
named Alfred had put up his tent between his 
own wagon and Mr. Ferguson's tent. While 
the camp was wrapped in slumber, without 
warning, a heavy tree fell directly across the 
tents mentioned, and Mr. Alfred, his two sons 
and a man named Cameron were killed. Mr. 
Ferguson had two daughters wounded. Eliza- 
beth S. (now Mrs. Hagler) was injured inter- 
nally, and could not be moved for six days; 
Nancy Ann (now deceased) had lier foot so 
badly hurt that she could not walk for six 
weeks. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson have seven 
children living: John N., Henry O., Elizabeth 
S. (widow of Paul H. Hagler), Paris Jasper, 
Mattie (wife of James Watson, Jr.), Dora 
(Hall), and William W., Jr. Politically, Mr. 



UlUTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



543 



Ferguson is a Democrat. Re celebrated his 
golden wedding in 1882; his brother John J., 
of Marsliall County, Iowa, did the same in 1885, 
and in October, 1888, Josepli IT. Ferguson, the 
youngest brother of W. W., became the third 
in that family of three brothers to celebrate liis 
golden wedding. The hitter lives in Manning, 
Carroll County, Iowa. All three of the brothers 
areyet living with the wives of their youth. Mrs. 
W. W. Ferguson was born in Harrison County, 
Indiana. Her father, John Cooprider, was a 
native of Pennsylvania. He emigrated to Ken- 
tucky in 1S05, and two or three years later to 
the County of Harrison, in the Territory of In- 
diana, it being then an unbroken wilderness in 
the possession of the Indians. His mother-in- 
law, who lived with him, had seen Cornwallis 
surrender at Yorktown. In 1821 he entered 
land in Lewis Township, Clay County, Indiana. 
On account of a mistake in the description, he 
had to go elsewhere, and in the spring of 1825 
removed to Middlebury, Harrison Township. 
There in the fall of 1826, he sowed the first 
wheat ever planted in Clay County. He died 
there March 19, 1877, having lived to see the 
county grow from a wilderness to a prosperous 
and cultured community. 



fOHN K FERGUrSOX, eldest son of Mr. 
and Mrs. W. W. Ferguson, is a native of 
Clay County, Indiana, born September 3, 
1835, and was in his thirteenth year when he 
accompanied the family across the plains, and 
on their trip he drove an ox team. He made 
his home with his parents until he was twenty- 
eight year? of age, and has lived on his present 
farm since coming to this county in July, 1857. 
He was married at this place to Miss Elizabeth 
Moody, a native of Indiana, and daughter of 
Simon S. and Hannah (Caldwell) Moody. She 
came to California in 1803, and after residing 
in Sutter County one year, came to Sonoma 
County. She died in 1870. By that marriage 
there were three children, \iz.: Erwin Emmett, 



Clarence Moody, and William Homer, the latter 
dying at the age of fourteen months. Air. 
Ferguson's present wife was born in Euchanan 
County, Missouri, September 28, 1845. Her 
maiden name was Sarah Jane Ellis, a daugh- 
ter of Esquire Leander T. and Harriet (Um- 
ber) Ellis, both parents being Kentuckians 
who removed from their native State to Mis- 
souri. Mrs. Ferguson was ])reviously married, 
and was the widow of Ransom Basford. who 
died in Nodaway County, Missouri. She came 
to Calfornia in 1870, with two children, Ida 
Ellen and Claudius R. Basford. Mr. and Mrs. 
Ferguson have four children — Mary Jestine, 
Muttie Isadora, Florence Almeda, and Albert 
Llewellyn. Politically, Mr. Ferguson is a Re- 
publican. He takes an interest in educational 
matters and for a number of years has been 
trustee of schools. He is a member of the 
Christian church at Healdsburff. 



— ^€(g:ii»-^ — 

tON. EZEKIAL DENMAN.— No part of 
the United States has made such rapid ad- 
vancement as California, whether in the 
accumulating of wealth or the gathering of the 
creature comforts of human life. There are two 
reasons for this fact. The one is the immense 
natural resources of the country and its un- 
equaled climate, and the other, and chief one, 
is the fact that it was settled by a class of men, 
active, energetic and ready to work hard and 
honestly for the great results we see, — men 
of brains and muscle and of untiring diligence. 
Wherever we look in California we find these 
men, most of whom came here in the early days, 
and are now, having achieved the competency 
they so amply deserve, enjoying the fruits of 
their hard labor, respected by all and looked 
upon as the leading figures in their commun- 
ity. Such a man pre-eminently is the Hon. 
Ezekial Denman, the president of the Sonoma 
County National Bank in Petaluma. He was 
born December 2, 1827, in Sullivan County, 
New York. His father, William Denman, Jr.j 



UISTORY OF SOSOMA COUNTY 



was a native of England, but came to America | 
with his parents when but tliree years of age. 
He became a weli-ivnown and prominent farmer " 
and stock-raiser in Sullivan County, where he 
brought lip his large family of nine children to [ 
honest diligence and honorable independence. \ 
Of these children five are still living, four of 
them being residents in this State, of whom the 
suliject of this article is the fourth in point of 
birth. Mr. Dennian's mother's maiden name 
was iliss Nancy Curry. She was a native of 
Sullivan County, IS^ew York. It was in the 
district schools of his neighboriiood that he re- 
ceived his education, attending school during 
the winter and working on his father's farm 
during the summer. When twenty years old 
lie began teaching school, and for three years 
continued this occupation, chieliy in Ulster 
County, although for a portion of the time also 
in Sullivan County. He then purchased a farm 
in Sullivan County, which he carried on suc- 
cessfully for two years. Being seized with the 
desire to test for himself the truth of the stories 
of this Golden State that found their way to the 
East, he sold his farm and in the middle of 
August, 1851, set out for California. He took 
the Panama route, sailing from Xew York 
i'ity on the steamer Georyia for Panama and 
making the balance of the trip to San Francisco, 
where he landed at the close of September, on 
the steamer Orctjon. He remained in San 
Francisco but a few days, but went at once to 
the mines at Buckeye Gulch near Mokelumne 
Hill. Here lie stayed about eight months; then 
went to lone Valley, and thence to San Fran- 
cisco, reaching there early in 1S52. From there 
until June of that year he engaged in the milk 
business in San Francisco, when he came to 
Petal uiiia and after a short sojourn here pur- 
chased a ranch in Two Rock Valley, part of the 
old Bojorqnes Rancho, and also engaged in the 
buying and selling of land. 3Ir. Denman made 
his home in Two Rock Valley up to 1869, 
being among the first as well as one of the most 
extensive farmers in that section, possessing a 
farm of no less than a 1.000 acres, and hav- 



ing once no less than four hundred acres of 
potatoes at one time. It might also be stated 
that the house Mr. Denman built for himself 
there in the early times was constructed of red- 
wood, cut by himself from the redwood forests. 
He has always been an enterprising dealer in 
landed property, buying, selling and bringing 
under cultivation, and to-day possesses about 
2,200 acres in this county and Marin, all fine 
land, with excellent improvements and devoted 
to grain farming and stock-raising. On his 
ranch in Two Rock Valley he has about 2.500 
fruit trees, of which 1,500 are plums and the 
balance apples and other fruit. In Xovember, 
1869, Mr. Denman came to Petalhma, where he 
has since resided, devoting his attention largely 
to financial matters and to affairs of a general 
and public interest, although continuitig the 
management of his ranches until 1887, when he 
rented them. He was one of the first and 
largest stockholders in the Sonoma County Bank, 
which was organized in 1866, and was its first 
Vice-President, holding that position until 1886, 
when he was elected to the presidency. He was 
one of the original stockholders, also, in the 
Petaluma woolen mills when first organized. 
Mr. Denman has never been a seeker after pub- 
lic oflices, yet the suffrages of his fellow citizens 
have more than once compelled him to serve 
them. For several years he was a member of 
the board of city trustees, and once their 
president. He has also been a member of the 
board of education. Perhaps the most note- 
worthy public position he has held, however, 
is the directorship of the Sonoma and Marin 
District Agricultural Society, which he has held 
for fifteen years. For two years he was also its 
president. This society has had remarkable 
success, being in the lead of any in California, 
and owes no little to the indefatigable zeal and 
matured judgment of Mr. Denman. In June, 
1855, he returned to visit his old Eastern home. 
"While there he married Miss Xancy Louise 
Hardenburg of Sullivan County, Xew York, 
October 3, 1855. She died January 9, 1870. 
She was the mother of nine children, of whom 



UISTOKY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



six are livitig. Their names ars — Fntnk H., 
Nellie L., Ida B., Carrie E., John R., and Kate C. 
The names of those deceased were Mary, James, 
and Martin. Mr. Denman was married again 
October 15, 1877, to Mrs. Isabella St. John, 
who has no children. Tiie names of Mr. Den- 
man's brothers and sisters are as follows: Prof. 
James Denman, a distinguished educationalist 
of San Francisco, Mrs. Samuel Cassidy, of Peta- 
luma; Martin P. Denman. a well-known farmer 
on the coast in Mendocino County, and Michael 
in Sullivan County. Such is in brief a sketch 
of the life and family of Hon. Ezekial Denman, 
a gentleman who commands the esteem and 
confidence of all by his strict integrity and care- 
ful consideration for the rights of others. He 
has always been a leader in this community, and 
has contributed much both in a financial way 
and by his wise counsels in upbuilding this 
portion of the county. A full description and 
history of the bank, of which he is the con- 
trolling spirit, appears elsewhere in these pages. 



tLBERT CALDWELL. — The genial cli- 
mate, rich soil, " beautiful scenery, and 
many other attractions of the Sonoma 
Valley have induced many men to seek it as a 
place of residence and rest, after a life of strug- 
gle, toil, etc., in other parts of the country. 
Among them is the above-named gentleman, a 
few brief facts of whose history are as follows. 
Mr. Caldwell is a native of Putnam County, 
New York, dating his birth in 1827. His par- 
ents, Absalom and Mary (Ludingtonj Caldwell, 
were descendants of the old Knickerbocker fami- 
lies of that State. He was reared as a farmer, 
receiving a good coinmon-school education. At 
the age of twenty-one he started out in life, 
and, going west, located in Washington County, 
Wisconsin, where he purchased lands and en- 
gaged in mercantile pursuits, also conducting 
an extensive tiouring mill. In 1853 he left 
Wisconsin, and, in connection with his brother, 
established one of the first bankinj; houses in 



St. Paul, Minnesota, under the firm name of 
Caldwell «fe Co. This enterprise was successfully 
conducted until 18G0, and during that time they 
were identified with many of the enterprises 
that developed the great northwest. Soon after 
his arrival in California Mr. Caldwell turned 
his attention to the mining industries of the 
Pacific coast, and for years was associated with 
and conducted some of the most prominent 
mines in California, Nevada, Arizona and Mex- 
ico. In Nevada he was the owner of the "Hawk- 
eye," and ran the first tunnel in that well known 
mine. He also built the Franklin mill on tiie 
Carson Kiver, and was among the first to develop 
the White Pine district. Mr. Caldwell was 
largely interested in the development of the 
State of Nevada, and it was through his per- 
sonal representation to the Interior Department 
at Washington that the land office at Carson 
was established in 1862. Later lie turned his 
attention to the mining industries of Arizona 
and Mexico, and for several years preceding 
1885 was personally identified with the devel- 
opment of several mining districts in those sec- 
tions. His long experience and business talents 
have insured him success in many a mining en- 
terprise where others failed. As a farmer,. mer- 
chant, banker, and miner, years of his life were 
passed in activity and toil that resulted in secur- 
ing him a competency. Desirous of retiring to 
a more peaceful and quiet life, in 1885 he pur- 
chased a thirty-five acre tract of land in Sonoma, 
upon which he resides. This land is located 
about a mile and a half east and south of Sonoma. 
Mr. Caldwell is enthusiastic in the calling of a 
vine and fruit grower. To this occupation ht 
applies the same energies, business tact, etc., ag 
to other enterprises, and his success is notice- 
able. He has twenty acres of table grapes, such 
as Tokay, Muscat, and Rose of Peru, and the 
care and attention lie has bestowed upon them 
has brought its reward by yielding him over 
§300 ])er acre, net, in 1888. There are also 
1,500 fruit trees upon his land, comprising a 
large variety of the most approved fruits grown 
in the valley. A comfortable cottage residence 



546 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



and suitable out-buildings, surrounded by 
shaded and well kept grounds, make a pleasant 
home in which he is enjoying a well deserved 
rest after a long business career. Mr. Caldwell 
was married in 1856 to Miss Cordelia Hayt, 
daughter of Harry and Thankful (Crosby) 
Hayt. Both of Mrs. Caldwell's parents were 
born in Xew York and are from some of the 
oldest families in the State. The old homestead, 
so full of historical reminiscences of the Revo- 
lutionary war, is still held and cherished as an 
heirloom by her family'. Its broad acres was 
the rendezvous for General Putnam as he 
crossed the country to reach Xewburg, Wash- 
ington's headquarters. Mrs. Caldwell's grand- 
father was a captain during the war, and the 
certificate with General Washington's autograph 
is still preserved by her family. From this 
marriage three children are living: Mary H., 
Martha H. and Frederick E. Mary H. married 
William F. Hooper, now a banker in San Ber- 
nardino County. Martha H. married Martin 
T. Morton, and is residing in Sonoma Valley, 
and Frederick H. resides under the parental 
roof. Politically Mr. Caldwell is a strong Re- 
publican. He is a member of the Presbyterian 
church, and is also a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, being a member of Tucson Lodge, 
No. 4, of Tucson, Arizona. 



fOSEPH P. MERRILL, of Geyserville, is a 
native of Cumberland County, Maine, born 
at the town of Falmouth, September 2, 
1827, his parents being Daniel and Dorcas Mer- 
rill. Both parents were natives of Maine, and 
the grandparents were also New Englanders by 
birth. The father of the subject of this sketch, 
a farmer, was a prominent man, much respected 
in the community in which he resided. He 
was one of the selectmen for eighteen years out 
of twenty, and represented his district three 
years in the State Legislature. He also settled 
up a great many estates in the community. He 
died in 1880, his wife having preceded him in 



death many years. Joseph P. Merrill was 
reared in his native State, attending the acad- 
emy at Lewiston Falls, also Kent's Hill 
Academy and other institutions of learning. 
Having finished his education, he taught several 
terms of school in the vicinity of his home. In 

1853 he came out to California, via Panama, 
landing at San Francisco early in May. He 
went to Benicia, thence to Green Valley, and in 

1854 to Suisun Valley, where he resumed teach- 
ing, which he followed for over a year. He 
then went into a store as clerk, and followed 
that occupation, and afterward merchandising 
on his own account for about three years. He 
then came to Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, 
and farmed there for a year and a half. From 
there he went back to Solano County, and re- 
sumed teaching. He then took charge of a 
flour-mill, which he operated until 1865, when 
he went to Owyhee County, Idaho, where he 
had an intere.«t in a saw-mill near Silver City; 
remained there about one year, then went to the 
region of the Owyhee River in Baker County, 
Oregon, and located on a ranch, remaining 
there until 1884. At that time he sold most of 
his stock and ranches, and moved further back 
onto the range, away from the road and from 
civilization, and engaged in horse and mule rais- 
ing, moving his family to Berkley. Early in 1885 
he purchased the site of his present residence, on 
which he has put building improvements at a 
cost of about §10,000, making the place a very 
handsome one. Mr. Merrill was married in this 
State, May 13, 1858, to Miss Martha M. Lyon, 
a native of Logan County, Ohio, and daughter 
of Asher M. and Martha Lyon. Her parents 
were natives of Pennsylvania, born near the 
Schuylkill River. They went to Ohio in an 
early day. In 1841 they removed to Washing- 
ton County, Iowa, among its early settlers. The 
father crossed the plains to California in 1850, 
returning two years later. The next year he 
lost his wife by death. He again came to Cali- 
fornia in 1866, locating in Suisun Valley in 
June of that year. He died there in 1867. 
Mrs. Merrill came out to California when a girl, 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



with a married sister. Mr. and Mrs. Merrill 
have had seven children, of whom tive are 
living, viz.: Lillie J., wife of R. A. Barnes, re- 
siding near Los Angeles; Rose Elizabeth, wife 
of T. C. Fletcher, residing in Malheur County, 
Oregon; Ernest L., a resident of Passadena; 
Birdie, a young lady aged eighteen, died Octo- 
ber, 1887, and Annie, died May, 1877, aged tive 
years and three months; Mabel and Maud are 
ten and six years old. Bolitieally Mr. Merrill 
is a Republican. 

tNDREW JACKSON MILLS is a native 
of Chemung County, New York, and 
dates his birth February 28, 1819. His 
father, Thomas Mills, svas also a native of the 
same county, and his grandfather was among its 
earliest settlers. His mother was Elizabeth 
(Bennett) Mills. Her parents M-ere natives of 
Connecticut. The subject of this sketch was 
reared in his native county, where his father 
was reared a farmer and later became a lawyer. 
His health in youtii and young manhood was 
such as prevented his following the arduous 
labors attending farm operations, therefore bis 
time was spent in school and such occupations 
as were afforded in his father's office, his father 
being justice of the peace, an office which he 
held for twenty-eight years. At the age of 
twenty years he had the misfortune to lose his 
mother, who died in 1839. In 1842 he went 
to St. Joseph, Bi:(!::ii>an County, Missouri, and 
joined his father, wiiu had preceded him some 
years. There he located 160 acres of govern- 
ment land, within a mile of the village of St. 
Joseph. His continued ill health, however, 
compelled his abandoning all idea of a farm life. 
lie engaged in various pursuits until 1846. In 
this year he went to Fort Leavenworth and en- 
gaged as a teamster in the United States employ. 
AVhile in this employ he was attached to a 
freighting train bound for Santa Fe, New Mex- 
ico, arriving at that place in the fall. He found 
tlie prospect sucii as would compell him to 



spend most of the winter there. Being desir- 
ous of a change he engaged as teamster with a 
detachment of troops bound to the Indian 
country to join Colonel Doniphan's First Regi- 
ment of Missouri Volunteers, which was an ex- 
pedition against the hostile Indians in New 
Mexico. He accompanied this command until 
its arrival at New Orlean.s. There he was dis- 
charged and paid off in July, 1847. He then 
returned to St. Joseph, where he remained until 
the winter, when he again entered the service as 
a teamster, and was engaged in hauling supplies 
to Fort Mann. The next spring he was again 
on the road to Santa Fe. Upon his arrival at 
that place he left the government employ and 
took up a tract of land about 180 miles south 
of Santa P^e with the intention of establishing a 
supply station for emigrants and traders, but 
finding this to be grant lands and liable to in- 
volve him in litigation with the grant holders, 
he abandoned the project and returned to Santa 
Fe. He was then appointed assistant forage 
master in the government department of the 
United States army, and stationed at San Mig- 
uel, fifty miles east of Santa Fe. There he 
remained until 1850. In that year he proceeded 
overland to Mazatlan, Mexico, and from there 
by steamer to San Francisco. After a short 
stay at that place he went to Sacramento, and 
from there to Nevada County, where he engaged 
in mining. He was successful in this work and 
continued it until the fall of 1851, when he- re- 
turned by the Isthmus route to Missouri. In 
the spring of 1852 he married Miss Nancy 
McClelland, the daughter of John G. McClel- 
land, a resident of Missouri. In May of the 
same year he started ovei-land with his bride to 
California. After five months' of travel over 
plains, deserts, and mountains, he reached Ne- 
vada County, California. There he engaged in 
mining until 1855. In that year he came to 
Sonoma County and took up his residence upon 
160 acres of land, upou which he has since re- 
sided. This land is located in Bennett Valley, 
in the Santa Rosa scliool district, about three 
and a lialf miles from Santa Rosa. The land 



HISTOliY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



was long claimed by graut holders; but Mr. 
Mills resisted their demands, and was one of 
the strongest fighters in the valley against 
fraudulent grants. After years of litigation he 
was successful in his resistai»ce, and secured a 
government patent for his land. During this 
tin)e he was successfully conducting his farm- 
ing operations and adding to his landed posses- 
sions by purchase of school lands, etc., until his 
present (1888) holding comprises a magnificent 
farm of 325 acres. With tlie exception ot six 
acres of orchard, Mr. Mills devotes his land to 
the production of grain, hay and stock-raising. 
He is a believer in improved stock, and among 
his stock may be found some fine specimens of 
improved "Norman" and "Suffolk Punch" 
horses. Mr. Mills' long residence and the in- 
terest he has always taken in the pi'osperity 
and welfare of Sonoma- County have gained him 
a large circle of friends and acquaintances, by 
whom he has ever been held in the highest re- 
spect and esteem. His indust)'y and energetic 
habits coupled with straightforward, honest 
business dealings, have insured his success, and 
secured him a competency. He is a member of 
Santa Kosa Grange, No. 17, Patrons of Hus- 
bandry. A strong supporter of the. public 
schools, he has for many years been one of the 
efficient school trustees of his district. From 
the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Mills but two 
children are living, viz.: Don, who is living in 
San Francisco; and Emma, who resides with 
her parents. 



tYMAN C. BYCE, proprietor of the Peta- 
luma Incubator Companj', was born in 
Canada, near Ottawa, June 3, 1852. The 
Byce family trace their ancestry back to Hol- 
land and Scotland. David Byce, the father of 
the subject of this sketch, was a native of 
Canada. He married a lady named Jane Storey, 
born of Scotch parents who emigrated from 
Scotland to Canada. Lyman C. Byce remained 
at home until after the death of liis father, 



which occurred in 1872, his mother having died 
some years previous to that. After receiving a 
common-school education he engaged iti his 
father's saw-mills, and afterward went into the 
business of manufacturing potato starch. He 
had a starch mill located at Kempville, near 
Ottawa, where he carried on his business for 
about two years, when, according to the free 
trade laws of Canada, starch being an unpro- 
tected article of manufacture, he was compelled 
to abandon the business. He then took up the 
study of medicine in Toronto, Canada, where he, 
remained two years. His health then failing 
him he gave up his studies, temporarilv, as he 
supposed, and made a trip to California in the 
fall of 1879, and after spending about a year in 
Petaluma, and liking the place so well, he de- 
cided not to go back East, but to make this his 
future home. During his residence here he 
has been very successful. In the spring of 
1882 he became associated with the Petaluma 
Incubating Company, of which business he is 
the present proprietor. Mr. Byce is a past 
master of Arcturus Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 
180, also a member of Petaluma Royal Arch 
Chapter, No. 22, and Mt. Olivet Commandery, 
No. 20, K. T. He was united in marriage 
November 1, 1887, to Miss Lily C. Gray, a 
native of London, England, and daughter of 
William J. Gray, of Eureka, Humboldt County, 
California. 



H^IRAM L. TKIPP, the senior partner in the 
IWl clothing house of Tripp & Thurston, came 
-^3i to Santa Rosa in 1878 and opened the 
first and the only exclusively gentlemen's cloth- 
ing and furnishing store in the city. A 
clothing store in a town the size of Santa Rosa 
at that time was something of an experiment; 
but Mr. Tripp had had ten years experience in 
the business and was master of it. He carried 
on a thriving trade until 188i, and then took 
in J. D. Barnett as a partner, who remained 
with him till May 1, 1888, when he retired, 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



leaving Mr. Tripp again sole proprietor. It 
was only for a short time, however, for his pres- 
ent partner, George S. Thurston, soon bought 
in. They carry a stock of ready-made clothing 
and gentlemen's furnishing goods and head 
gear, in their storeat519 Fourth street, ranging 
from !§lo,000 to !?18,000 in value, and which in 
quality and quantity would be a credit to a city 
of 20,000 inhabitants. Their goods are pur- 
chased chiefly direct from Chicago and New 
York manufacturers, at cash prices and are sold 
for cash: hence they are prepared to give their 
patrons bargains in clothing. Mr. Tripp is a 
native of Xew York State, born April 9, 1848. 
He started in mercantile life at Glenn's Falls, 
New York, at the age of twenty years. In 
1875 he came across the continent to California. 
He was three years in San Francisco in the 
clothing business before settling in Santa Rosa. 
Mr. Tripp is a member of the Masonic order, in 
which he has taken the chapter and command- 
ery degrees, and is junior past master of Santa 
Rosa Lodge, No. 57, and is at present high 
priest of Santa Rosa Chapter, No. 45, R. A. M. 
He was married to an Ohio lady, formerly Miss 
Crane, in Santa Rosa, September 24,1884. Mr. 
Thurston is also a native of the Empire State, 
born forty years ago. Most of his active 
business life has been spent in bookkeeping. 



^^^T^ILLIAM J. ROBINSON.— Among the 
■ w\T; representative' farms in Blucher Valley, 
r^ij^ Aualy Township, special mention should 
be made of that owned by the subject of this 
sketch. He is the owner of 547 acres of hill 
and valley land, located in the Canfield school 
district, about four and a half miles northeast 
of Bloomfield. Upon his farm is a family 
orchard and vineyard, producing a large variety 
of fruits and tal)le grapes, showing that his 
lands, the climate, etc., are well adapted to hor- 
ticultural and viticultural productions. With 
the exception of twenty acres producing pota- 
toes, his land is devoted to hay, grain and 



stock purposes. Among the latter are seventy 
head of cattle, fifty of which are milch cows, 
and used for dairy purposes. Mr. Robinson's 
dairy is devoted entirely to butter making, in 
which he is very successful, producing a supe- 
rior article, which readily commands lirst-class 
market prices. He also devotes considerable 
attention to breeding improved and thorough- 
bred horses, and he may be justly proud of his 
success in this enterprise. Among his draft 
horses are fine specimens of Norman, Duke de 
Cliartres and Pollock stock. His roadsters and 
trotting stock are bred from Alexander, Bell- 
ringer, Nutwood and Electioneer stock. The 
improvements upon the model farm are first- 
class in every respect. A beautiful two-story 
dwelling-house located upon high grounds 
affords its occupants a pleasing and extended 
view of the valley below. Commodious barns 
and other out-buildings attest the prosperous 
and successful farmer. Water is abundant, and 
is conveyed by a well arranged pipe system 
throughout all the buildings and over the 
grounds. This water is from an unfailing 
spring, located among the hills, about three- 
fourths of a mile from his residence. The 
building of the barn and construction of this 
water supply system are among the improve- 
ments made by Mr. Robinson since occupying 
the place in 1883. The subject of this sketch 
was born in the province of Ontario, Canada, 
April 22, 1851, his parents being John and 
Elizabeth (Scott) Robinson, both natives of 
Ireland. His mother was of Scotch descent. 
His father came to Canada in his early man- 
hood and engaged in farming occupations. Mr. 
Robinson was reared upon his father's farm, 
where he became versed in the practical knowl- 
edge of farming and stock-raising, that has been 
so useful to him in after life. Before reaching 
the age of twenty years Mr. Robinson conclu- 
ded to seek his fortune in other climes than his 
Canadian home, and in 1870 he left his home 
and started for California. Immediately after 
his arrival in San Francisco, he went to Marin 
County, where he worked at farm labor and 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



dairying. He remained in that county until 
1878. His sturdy, industrious habits and con- 
stant labor had enabled him to accumulate a 
small capital. With this he came to Sonoma 
County and rented 640 acres of land from Will- 
iam Jones, about one mile from Bloomiield. 
This land he stocked with seventy cows and 
established liimself in the dairy business. In 
tiiis enterprise he was successful, and he con- 
ducted the same until 1883, when he purchased 
liis present farm and residence. Since that 
date he lias devoted himself to dairying, stock- 
raising and general farming. Mr. Robinson 
is an enterprising and progressive citizen, one 
who believes in the future prosperity and wealth 
of Sonoma County, and is ready to aid in all 
enterprises that tend to advance the section in 
which he resides. During his comparatively 
short residence in this county, he has gained 
the respect and esteem of a large circle of 
friends and acquaintances. He is emphatically 
a self-made man, and the modest competency 
which he has secured is the result of industry, 
honest labor and honorable dealings with his 
fellow-men. In political matters Mr. Robin- 
son is a consistent Republican. In 1878 Mr. 
Robinson was united in marriage to Miss Mary 
Ann Black, a native of Ireland. From this 
marriage there have been born three children, 
two of whom are now (1888) living, viz.: James 
and Arthur. Charles died in 1884, aged four 
years, four months and twenty-eight days. 



fETII MILLINGTON (deceased) was born 
in Herkimer County, New York, in 1819, 
his parents being Ira and Electa (Pad- 
dock) Millington, both natives of that State. 
When he was tiiree years of age his parents 
moved to Missouri and located in St. Charles 
County, where his father engaged in mechanical 
labor. Mr. Millington was reared in that 
county and received a good education, finishing 
his studies by a course in the St. Charles Col- 
lege. When Hfteen years of age he had the 



misfortune to lose his parents, whom death 
called from their sphere of action. In 1836 he 
went to Iowa where he engaged in the United 
States Land Survey, after which he began the 
study of law in Yan Buren County. In 1838 
he married Miss Leviza Johnson, a resident of 
St. Charles County, Missouri. She died in 
1846, leaving one child. Soon after the death 
of his wife Mr. Millington enlisted in the 
Fifteenth Regiment of the United States In- 
fantry, and entered the Mexican war. He 
served with the regiment in the various engage- 
ments until the storming of Chapultepec. In 
this battle he was severely wounded and lay 
xipon the battle-field for six hours before re- 
ceiving medical attendance. He laid in the 
hospital at Chapultepec from September 15, to 
January-, 1848, when he was honorably dis- 
charged, and returned to his home in Van 
Buren County, Iowa. In the same year he 
married Miss Maria Woodward, the daughter of 
Lemuel and Anna (Blakemore) Woodward, who 
were natives of Virginia. Mr. Millington, 
upon his return from Mexico, entered into the 
practice of law. He was also for years the 
clerk of the district court of Van Buren 
County. He took a lead and was prominent in 
political affairs of the county and was the editor 
of the leading Democratic paper published at 
Keosauqua, the county seat. Mr. Millington 
continued the practice of his profession and 
other pursuits until 1862. In that year he 
came with his family across the plains to Cali- 
fornia, bringing four teams and quite a drove of 
stock with him. Upon his arrival in California 
he came to Sonoma County, and located in Ben- 
nett Valley where he purchased 230 acres of 
land, about two miles southeast of Santa Rosa. 
Establishing his family upon this farm, he com- 
menced the practice of his profession in Santa 
Rosa. He was eminently successful in this enter- 
prise and soon took a leading stand in the law 
circles of the county, being the attorney and 
counsel in some of the most important land 
cases of the period. But death called him from 
the scene of his labors and he departed this life 



HISTOBT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



in March, 1867. Altliongli less than five years a 
resident of Sonoma County Mr.Millington had 
by his legal learning, manly qualities, and 
straightfbrwaj-d business course gained a large 
circle of friends and acquaintances, who joined 
his family in sincerely mourning over his death. 
He was a horn leader and took a prominent 
part in the political and legal circles in what- 
ever community he resided. He was also a 
literary man, whose talents were of no mean 
order, and was a strong and able writer upon 
the leading questions of the day. In politics 
he was a life-long Democrat, ever intent upon 
advancing the best interests and elements of his 
party. He was a member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity, being a Eoyal Arch Mason. Mr. Mill- 
irigton was the father of nine children, one 
from his first marriage, Ira, who is now living 
in Texas. From his second marriage he had 
eight children, viz.: Ada, who married T. C. 
Jones, living in Oregon; Grace married J. W. 
Cook, residing in Los Angeles County; Olivia 
(deceased) married A. Linel>augh, of Sonoma 
County; James B., who married Miss Margaret 
F. Mackey of San Francisco, resides at Santa 
Rosa; Seth, an attorney at law, residing in Col- 
usa County; John and Anna E. residing on the 
old homestead, and Zacharia is at the Vander- 
bilt University, Nashville, Tennessee. Upon 
the death of Mr. Millington, the care of the 
large farm, the rearing and educating of a large 
family of children devolved upon the mother, 
and well has Mrs. Millington fultilled the trust. 
She has displayed a courage, energy, and busi- 
ness tact rarely found even among the noble 
women of our day. She has devoted her life 
to her children and is rewarded by seeing them 
grown to man's and woman's estate well educated 
and taking honorable ])ositions in life in the 
community in which they reside. Mrs. Mill- 
ington, assisted by her younger sons, is still 
engaged in conducting her farm. She lias thirty- 
five acres in vineyard, producing wine grapes 
of the Zinfandel and Grey Riesling varieties, 
also ten acres of orchard, producing apples, 
pears, cherries, and plums. Thirty acres are 



devoted to hay, and tlie rest of the land is used 
for pasturing stock. On this land is a dairy of 
forty cows, wiiich is conducted by James B. 
Millington, who also rents the lands of Mr. 
Taylor adjoining the home farm. The products 
of this dairy Mr. Millington disposes of in 
Santa Rosa, where he has a large nuinlier of 
customers. His business is conducted under 
the name of the Santa Rosa Dairy. 



fB. TRAPET, proprietor of the Promon- 
tory vineyard and winery, Mendocino 
® Township, is a native of France, born at 
Marey le Fussey, Canton de Nutscote D'or, 
November 12, 1829, his parents being John and 
Madaline (Martin) Trapet. The father, a 
farmer and vineyardist, was mayor of his native 
town for nearly thirty years, and his father be- 
fore him had also been mayor. J. B. Trapet 
grew to manhood in his native place, and was 
educated in that vicinity. He was brought up 
to understand the care and culture of the vine, 
and became an authority on matters pertaining 
to the vineyard. In 1854, however, he decided 
to emigrate to America, and, going to Havre, 
sailed on the Notre Dame du Victoires for 
San Francisco, which port he reached after a 
voyage of five months and nineteen days. He 
clerked for two and a half years on Montgemery 
street, near Sacramento street, near where 
Wells, Fargo & Co. headquartered. Leaving 
San Francisco, he went to the mines at San 
Andreas, where he engaged in' tnining, and 
was leader of the brass band, and afterward to 
Trinity County, remaining altogether about 
fourteen months. In 1859 he returned to 
France, and again resumed his connection with 
the culture of tiie vine. He took an active part 
in public aftairs, and from 1870 to 1877 was a 
member of the municipal council of Beaune. 
He was also selected as a member of the gov- 
ernment commission to inquire into the causes 
of the decay of vines, and report on viticultural 
matters generally, serving on the commission 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



with credit to himself. He caine baciv to 
America in 1877, and located where he now re- 
sides. Mr. Trapet was married in France, in 
1861, to Miss Claudine Morand. Tliey have 
one child — Edmund. Mr. Trapet is a man who 
believes strictly in the principles of government 
by and for the people, and in France enjoyed 
the full confidence of the leading Republicans. 
He preserves to this day the testimonials of 
many men who have gained distinction in 
France, testifying their high regard for him. 
When in San Francisco, he was a member of 
the Vigilance Committee of 185G. He is a 
member of the Masonic order. Mr. Trapet is 
the owner of a fine place on Dry Creek road, 
two and a half miles from Healdsburg. He 
purchased 120 acres here in 1877, but has since 
sold oif seventy acres. He has a vineyard of 
twenty acres, mostly Zinfandel, with a few" other 
varieties, and nearly all in bearing. Mr. Trapet 
has been making wine since 1886. He has a 
storage capacity for 15,000 gallons, and all his 
products find a ready sale. 



tLLISON B. WARE, who holds a promi- 
nent position at the Sonoma County bar, 
was born at Fort Covington, Franklin 
County, New York, April 7, 1847, where he 
resided until he arrived at young manhood and 
where he received his education. He began Hie 
a school teacher and carried on the study of law, 
and after studying for a period in an office at 
his native place and subsequently at Santa Rosa, 
California, he was admitted to practice in the 
district court of the seventh judicial district of 
California in 1872. Having passed a successful 
examination November 13, 1887, he received 
his license to practice in the Supreme Court of 
California. Afterward he was admitted to the 
United States Circuit Court. In the fall of 
1879 having received the nomination for dis- 
trict attorney on the Democratic ticket, he was 
elected by a large majority. It being immedi- 
ately after the adoption of tlie new constitution. 



his term of office was extended to two years and 
ten montlis. On retiring from office he re- 
sumed the practice of his profession and has 
achieved enviable success tinanciaUy and other- 
wise. He first landed in California November 
16, 1868, and during his long residence here 
his ability and worth have constantly been recog- 
nized. A short time ago he was elected to the 
position of president of the Santa Rosa Bank, 
but allowed nothing to be paramount to the 
practice of his chosen profession. 



■*:^ l ** l 'sr- 



fUDGE DAVID OLCOTT SHATTLTCK.— 
Among the best known of California's lead- 
ing men is the subject of this sketch. 
Judge Shattuck was born in New London 
County, Connecticut, March 21, 1800, his 
parents, David and Dorathea (Olcott) Shattuck, 
being natives of that State and descendants from 
the oldest families of the Massachusetts Colony. 
His father was a blacksmith and small farmer, 
and the subject of ihis sketch was reared upon 
his father's farm, receiving such an education as 
could be gained b^' attending the winter schools. 
At the age of nineteen years he commenced 
teaching in the winter terms of district schools, 
engaging in farm labor and quarry work during 
tiie summer months. When twenty years ot 
age he went to South Carolina, where he was 
engaged at stone cutting upon canal work. A 
few months of this work broke down his health 
and he tiien went to North Carolina, and in the 
spring of 1821 taught school in Mecklenburg 
County, after which he located in Chatham 
County and engaged in teaching until 1823. 
While there he was licensed to preach in the 
Methodist Episcopal church. Upon his return 
to Connecticut in 1823 he purchased a farm and 
entered upon the occupation of a farmer. In 
1824 he married Miss Lydia Wattross, a native 
of Connecticut. She died in the fall of the same 
year. A few weeks after the death of his wife 
he returned to North Carolina. During his ab- 
sence from that State his name had been pro- 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



posed to the Virginia Conference of tlie 
Metliodist church and accepted, and he was' 
appointed to the Hanover circuit. This position 
he held until 1827, when ill iiealtii and a serious 
throat complaint compelled his abandoning the 
pulpit, and seeking other occupations. He then 
engaged in teaching in Johnson County, and 
was also the principal of an academy in Duplin 
County. In 1827 Judge Shuttuck married 
Miss Elizabeth Sanders, the daughter of Hardie 
and Edith (^Turner) Sanders, natives of Wake 
County, North Carolina. Mrs. Shattuck was 
born January G, 1804. He continued his occu- 
pation as teaclier until 1829. In the fall of that 
year he emigrated to Smith County, Tennessee, 
where lie rented a farm and engaged in farming 
occupations. During the time occupied in 
teaching he studied law, and upon his arrival in 
Tennessee lie was admitted to the bar. After 
one season spent in Smith County he went to 
Brownsville, Haywood County, and there estab- 
lished himself as an attorney at law. He was 
also at this time actively engaged in the minis- 
try. In 1833 he emigrated to Mississippi and 
took up his residence in Carroll ton, Carroll 
County, where he engaged in a lucrative law 
practice. "While there he decided to take up 
his ministerial duties, and joined the Mississippi 
conference, after which he was appointed 
presiding elder of the upper district of 
Mississippi. In 1837 he was elected district 
judge of the seventh judicial district of Mis- 
sissippi. His judicial duties demanded so much 
of his attention that in 1838 he resigned his 
position as presiding elder. The position of a 
district judge in those days was not an enviable 
one for an upright and conscientious man like 
Judge Shattuck. This was during the great 
struggle between Jackson and the United States 
Bank. The judge's courts were filled with fore- 
closure suits, etc., and the people almost en 
masse demanded a suspension of the courts; 
but their threats, intimidations, and even mob 
violence, did not deter the Judge from doing 
his duty and carrying out tlie law. In 18-il he 
resigned his otKce as judge and accepted the 



nomination of the Whig party as its candidate 
for (rovernor. The great and important ques- 
tion with the political parties in that State was 
"Shall the State pay its bonds?" The Whio- 
party was prompt and decided in their answer, 
and demanded a full payment of all obligations 
while the Democracy split upon the question 
and put up an independent ticket, which was 
successful, but the judge made a strong canvass 
and was defeated by over 2,000 votes in the 
whole State. He was then engaged in law 
practice until 1843, when he was induced to ac- 
cept the position as professor of law in the 
Centenary College at Brandon, Rankin County, 
Mississippi. A few months after he entered 
upon his duties at that college the trustees 
found it necessary to remove tiie president of 
the institution, and Judge Shattuck was elected 
to till the position thus made vacant. On ac- 
count of financial difficulties this college had to 
be abandoned, and shortly after they purchased 
the Louisiana State College buildings, wliich 
were afterward known as the Centenary Col- 
lege of Louisiana. Judge Shattuck held tlie 
position of president of this institution until 
1849, and during that time, by his energetic 
action and sound business management, placed 
the financial affairs of the college upon a solid 
foundation, and succeeded in securing a large 
and lucrative patronage. While president of 
this college he was honored by having the degree 
of LL. D. conferred upon him by the Weslevan 
University of Middletown, Connecticut. Soon 
after resigning his position in 1849 Judge 
Shattuck embarked on a schooner for the Isth- 
mus of Panama, en route for California. After 
many vexatious delays upon the Isthmus, he se- 
cured passage in a sailing vessel from Panama 
to San Francisco, arriving tliere in April, 1850. 
Among the judge's party were his three sons, 
Francis William, Dickson P., and David O. 
After some time spent in securing occupations 
for the members of his party, he entered the 
practice of his profession, but in the fall of 1S50 
he was elected judge of the Superior Court. 
At that time there were three superior judges 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



in San Francisco, and there was not more than 
bnsiness for one, besides having three courts. 
It naturally caused considerable clashing in 
granting orders. Judge Shattuck, believing the 
expense of these courts useless, in 1852 peti- 
tioned the Legislature that they be reconstructed, 
and that one judge perform the whole duty. 
This was accomplished and he resigned the 
judgeship, came to Sonoma County and located 
in Sonoma Valley and entered upo.i the occupa- 
tion of fanning and stock-raising, upon a tract 
of land which he had purchased in 1850. In 
this same year, 1852, the judge was joined by 
his family, who took up their residence upon 
a farm. In 1854 he returned to San Francisco 
and resumed his law practice, and in the fall of 
that year he was elected judge of the Superior 
Court as remodeled. He discharged the duties 
of that office until 1857, when the act establish- 
ing said court was repealed upon Judge Shat- 
tuck's petition. He then resumed his law 
practice, and established a partnership under the 
lirni name of Shattuck, Spencer & Eiechert, 
which was continued until 1861, when the 
judge sold out his business to his partners. In 
that year he was prevailed upon to run for 
Congress upon the Democratic ticket, but was 
defeated, and in 1862 he returned to his ranch 
in Sonoma County, where he remained until 
1864. In 1862 and 1863 Judge Shattuck was 
the presiding elder of the Santa Kosa district 
of the Pacific Conference of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church, South. In 1864 he went to Mex- 
ico and engaged in cotton cultivation until 1867, 
and upon returning to California, iinally retired 
from active business and political life and 
settled down upon his beautiful ranch in Sonoma 
A'alley. Although Judge Shattuck many years 
since deeded this farm to his daughter (now 
Mrs. Mary E. Spencer), he has continued to de- 
vote his attention to its development and man- 
agement. The farm, which contains 200 acres 
of the original 300 acres purchased by him in 
1850, is located two miles south of Sonoma, and 
is devoted to vineyard and general I'arming. 
One hundred acres are producing wine grapes 



which are manufactured into wine in the 
commodious winery erected upon the place in 
1879. This winery has a capacitj- of 80,000 
gallons. The rest of the land is devoted to 
general farming and stock purposes. Judge 
Shattuck, until his retirement, led an active life, 
and has always taken a leading position in what- 
ever community he has resided. Possessed of 
those strong characteristics of right, justice and 
religious principles, his influence has been of an 
elevating and ennobling character, and he has 
gained the well merited esteem and respect of 
his friends and associates. It can be truthfully 
said that Judge Shattuck never sought the nom- 
ination to the many offices and positions of trust 
to which he has been elected, and as truthfully 
said that no bribe, intimidation, or any other 
means were ever able to swerve him a hair's 
breadth from what he considered his duty 
toward God and his fellow man. Justice and 
truth reigned supreme wherever and whenever 
he controlled. Judge Shattuck is now (1889) 
nearly ninety years of age. He is remarkably 
well preserved and in possession of strong men- 
tal faculties, with a mind richly stored with 
reminiscences of over three-quarters of a cen- 
tury of an active, noble and well spent life. 
Mrs. Shattuck died July 9, 1875, leaving ten 
children, who are all living. 



fOHN E. CHALFANT, of Cloverdale, one 
of the substantial men of Sonoma County, 
is a native of Chester County, Pennsylvania, 
born Ai)ril 12, 1825. His father, William 
Chalfant, was also a native of Chester County. 
Indeed, three brothers of that name accompa- 
nied William Penn to America, one of them 
locating in Chester County, which has ever 
since been the family seat. The mother of our 
subject, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Ed- 
wards, was also of Pennsylvanian (Bucks County) 
birth and parentage. John E. Chalfant spent 
his early boyhood days in his native county, and 
there received his schooling. His early inclina- 



UI8T0BT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



tions were toward meclianical work, and as his 
father was a carpenter, he thus liad access to 
tools of all kinds, and at an early age was a 
skillful workman. When lie was sixteen years 
old the family removed to Delaney's Valley, 
Maryland, on the Gunpowder, thirteen miles 
from I^altimore, and tliere he assisted his father 
in work at his trade. When he had turned 
twenty-one he went to Philadelphia, and readily 
obtaining employment at his trade, remained in 
that city about one year, then returned to Mary- 
land. The excitement consequent upon the 
discovery of gold in California seized upon him 
like so many other ambitious young men of the 
East, and on the 18th day of January, 1849, he 
sailed away from Baltimore on the bark Kirk- 
land, bound for San Francisco via Cape Horn. 
The first portion of the trip was beset with 
nautical difficulties, a storm compelling them to 
lay in Hampton Roads eleven days, before put- 
ting to sea, so that it was the month of August 
when the Kirkland sailed through the Golden 
Gate into the harbor of San Francisco. He had 
formed an agreement with five or six others on 
the ship to go to the mines, and after he had 
worked a couple of weeks at carpentering in the 
city, they proceeded to Stockton. There they 
engaged an ox-team to take their effects to the 
junction of AVoods' Creek and the Tuolumne 
River. Arriving there tliey went into camp, 
but the next morning about sunrise Mr. Chal- 
fant started back, taking the ox-team. Arriving 
at San Francisco, he went to work at his trade, 
and remained there until June, 1852. He then 
went to Mendocino County and put up a saw- 
mill for the now noted Henry Meigs. When 
the construction of the mill was completed, he 
took charge of its operation, and continued in 
this position until the failure of Meigs. He 
then went to San Francisco, but when work was 
resumed at the mill, he returned and again took 
Ills place as superintendent. He also put in 
planing machinery, and planed lumber by the 
thousand for several years. In 1871 he went to 
Oakland and remained about five years. From 
there he came to Cloverdale for the purpose of 



testing the advantages of the town as a resi- 
dence place. In 1880 he located here perma- 
nently, and has since improved a handsome 
residence property. The grounds are tastefully 
laid out, and kept in beautiful condition. 
Orange trees in full bearing are about the house, 
and yield heavily of their luscious fruit. Mrs. 
Chalfant was formerly Miss Susan Hayes, a na- 
tive of Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Chalfant 
have two children, viz.: Martha, wife of Will- 
iam Porterfield of Cloverdale, and Nellie 
Louisa. Mr. Chalfant is one of the old-time 
Californians, and is well known throughout this 
section of the State through his early and long 
connection with the lumber interest. lie has 
witnessed a vast transformation in this section 
of tiie country, has kept pace with its progress, 
and has been successful in his business affairs. 

— ^€@:®»'^^ - 

Is^lILLIAM ZARTMAN.— In such a work 
^uWil ^® t\ns, commemorating the deeds and 
I— s^^J events of pioneer life, it is conceded 
that greater value will be attached to it by the 
generations who will follow than by those who 
have a personal knowledge of these things, and 
in making any statement relative to the pioneers 
of this county, there are none more deserving 
of mention than William Zartman, the subject 
of this sketch, an old-time citizen and business 
man of Petaluma. He is a Fennsylvanian by 
birth, having been born in Northumberland 
County, October 20, 1829, son of Michael and 
Polly Zartman. An incident unusual in the 
lives of most men can be said of Mrs. Zart- 
man's father, whose name was Harb, a wealthy 
citizen of Pennsylvania, who was born in 1745 
and died in 1843, lacking but two years of be- 
ing a hundred years old. During his lifetime 
he was married seven times, and was the father 
of twenty-one children; the last marriage oc- 
curred only a few years before his death. Michael 
Zartman was a wheelwright by trade, but on 
account of poor health was compelled to be out 
of doors most of the time, his attention being 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNT r. 



given inostlj to farming and teaming. He died 
in Minersville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, 
in 1846, at the age of fifty-iive, and his wife 
died in 1888, a few years previous to the death 
of her husband. She was the mother of twelve 
children, of whom one died in infancy and an- 
other when he was sixteen or seventeen years 
old. Of those who grew to man and womanhood, 
six are now living, three sons and three daugli- 
ters. William Zartman, he whose name heads 
this article, is the only one of the family living 
in this State. His parents moved to Schuylkill 
County when he was twelve years old, where he 
made his home until the death of his father. 
He engaged in clerking in Minersville for a 
few years with two diflerent firms, Hilliering 
and De Haven, until the spring of 1848, when 
he went into Illinois and worked at the carpen- 
ter's trade, and in the fall of that year hired out 
as clerk for Dinsmore, a wholesale merchant on 
Water street, Chicago, where he remained until 
the spring of 1849. He then went and served 
his apprenticeship in the carriage making trade 
with William Wayman, and two years later con- 
tinued with the same gentleman as a journey- 
man until November, 1851. On the 26th of 
tliat month he left Chicago for New York, from 
wiiich port he sailed on the first of December 
for California via Panama, and arrived in San 
Francisco on the 14th of January, 1852. The 
next day he went to the mines at Carson's Flat, 
in Calaveras County and worked in the neigh- 
borhood of Angel's Camp until the last of June, 
when he determined to enter into a business 
that would he more lasting and on a surer basis 
than that of mining. With this purpose in 
view, foreseeing with good judgment the bright 
prospective future in store for Sonoma County, 
and particularly of Petaluma, then a little vil- 
lage of but few houses, he determined to make 
this the seat of his labors, and accordingly es- 
tablished, with John Fritsch, a blacksmith and 
carriage shop, situated on Main street near the 
site where the American Hotel now stands. 
This pioneer carriage factory, started in 1852, 
has ever since, with the exception of three years, 



been under Mr. Zartman's personal management, 
and to-day is the largest and most prosperous 
business of this kind in the city. In 1861 he 
with his partners started a quartz mill at Gold 
Hill, Nevada, which business they run up to 
1863, when the mill was sold. In 1864 he 
superintended the Gold Hill mill for another 
company. In 1875 he became the sole proprie- 
tor of the carriage business which he conducted 
up to 1884, when his son, William Henry Zart- 
man, became interested in the business, the firm 
name of Zartman & Co. remaining unchanged. 
Mr. Zartman is a stockholder in the Golden 
Eagle fiouring mill, and for a number of years 
a director in the Petaluma Savings Bank. He 
has been an Odd Fellow since 1856, belonging 
to Petaluma Lodge, No. 30, there being only 
one member in the lodge when he joined it, and 
was a liberal donator toward the erection of 
their fine building. He has been a Mason of 
thirteen years standing, is a director of that 
order, and was also instrumental in putting up 
the Masonic Block. In religious matters he 
has always taken an active interest, being a 
trustee in the Methodist church and a devoted 
member since 1858. Mr. Zartman was united 
in marriage January 1, 1854, to Rhoda Carathers, 
a native of Indiana. Their family consisted of 
six children, of whom five are now living, as 
follows: William Henry, George Washington, 
Katie Alice, Benjamin Franklin and Belle. 



FOEL CRANE is probably the oldest settler 
in Santa Rosa Township, having come here 
September 1, 1851. He crossed the plains 
with a train of mule teams, which composed a 
passenger train run by McPike & Strother, 
carrying passengers overland from Missouri to 
Sacramento for $200 each. Mr. Crane and 
several comrades left the train in the sink of the 
Humboldt, and came the rest of the way on 
foot. At what was known as Mormon Station 
they left the main trail and took a pack trail 
direct for Coloma. On reaching a point beyond 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Georgetown wliere they could buy provisions, 
they found tlic ]irice of every article of pro- 
vision was ^1 a pound. They asked the pro- 
prietor what he would give them a meal for, and 
lie said seventy-five cents. Having been nearly 
twenty-four hours without food, the party of 
emigrants accepted the latter proposition as the 
better bargain, and they were correct in their 
conclusions, as the sequel proved, for the land- 
lord said the ]iarty of eight men ate twelve 
pounds of flour, besides bacon, coffee and other 
eatables. Mr. Crane spent a year in the mines 
in Placer County, saved a few hundred dollars 
of the yellow dust, came to Sonoma County in 
the fall of 1851 and settled about seven miles 
south of Santa Rosa. In 1855 he moved up to 
within three miles of Santa Rosa, and in the 
fall of 1860, moved into the upper end of Rin- 
con Yalley. In 1865 he came to Santa Rosa 
and resided there till the fall of 1886, when he 
moved to his present home a mile west of the 
court house. The homestead consists of eight 
and one-half acres, mostly in a bearing peach 
orchard. Mr. Crane married Miss Davidson, 
in 1858, by whom he has had eight children, 
seven of whom are now living. Three of Mr. 
Crane's children graduated in the first high 
school class that graduated in Santa Rosa, and 
his eldest son and two of his daughters have 
been teachers. Two of the sons are in the real 
estate business. One son and one daughter are 
married, the former a resident of Colusa, and 
the latter of Napa. Mrs. Crane was born in 
Barren County, Kentucky, and came to Califor- 
nia with her parents in 1852. Her father, 
Jacob E. Davidson, settled a mile west of Santa 
Rosa, where he passed the remainder of his life, 
and died in November, 1884. 



fORNELIUS SARGIUSSON has a ranch of 
thirty-two acres near Healdsburg, of which 
eight acres are planted to orchard, the 
trees ranging in age from three to eighteen 
years, the greater portion of them young, though 



mostly in full bearing. They are Crawford, 
Honest Abe, Orange Cling, and Solway peaches, 
and French prunes. The six year old peaches 
yielded a crop of ten tons per acre in 1888. 
The trees are in fine condition and the orchard 
shows by its appearance the care that is be- 
stowed npon it. On the hill land Mr. Sargius- 
son has twenty acres in grapes, between the rows 
being 220 yellow egg plums, to which will be 
added 500 more in the spring of 1889. The 
grapes are Carignau, Mataro, Gray Riesling, 
Sanvignon Vert, Grenache, Zinfandel and Seed- 
less Sultana. He makes the latter variety into 
wine, for which he gets eight}' cents per gallon 
when fermented, selling it all to private parties 
in Healdsburg and San Francisco. Large quan- 
tities of corn and vegetables are raised between 
the fruit rows. Another important feature of 
the place is the nursery. In this department he 
raises and furnishes all trees that are desirable 
for planting in this locality, and from 5,000 to 
20,000 trees are sold per annum. This nursery 
has a fine reputation, Mr. Sargiusson being 
careful to give satisfaction to all his patrons. 
He has a fruit dryer of his own construction 
which has the capacity of drying two and one- 
half tons of green fruit per day, and in the 
winter of 1888 he added to his vineyard a 
winery with a capacity of 20,000 gallons, so 
that he is now able to make all his own grapes 
into wine. This, he considers, is the only way 
to get the reputation for wines that they justly 
deserve. Cornelius Sargiusson is a native of 
Lincolnshire, England, born December 5, 1849, 
his parents being John and Helen (Payne) 
Sargiusson. lie was reared in his native coun- 
try to the age of nineteen years, and in 1868 
came to America, locating at Low Moor, Clinton 
County, Iowa, where he engaged at farming. 
In 1873 he moved to Nevada, and for a time 
conducted a hotel at Unionvilie. From there 
lie went to Carson City, where he worked at the 
carpenter's trade. He followed the same voca- 
tion at Virginia City for two and a half years, 
tiien went to Podie and conducted the assa}' 
office of the Standard and Podie Mining Com- 



iiisTony ()/<' .'^<>yn.)/A county. 



])iiny until 1881, wlien lie wont to Oakland, and 
tVnni there came to Healdsbnrg, bought where 
he now resides, and improved the j)laee. lie 
was married in England to Miss Sophia Dennis. 
To them have been born three children, viz.: 
]\[aude, Edith, and Eva. Mr. Sargiiisson be- 
liMigs to Occidental Lodge, No. 6, A. O. U. W., 
West Oakland. He is a member of the Episco- 
pal church, and one of the building committee 
of the neaklsburg society. 



JTU^OSSON ROSS.— Among the representative 
n/[i farmers and business men of Green Vallej, 
■^P^ Analy Township, is the well known gentle- 
man whose name heads this sketch. He was 
born in New Albany, Floyd County, Indiana, 
July 22, 1828. His father, William Ross, was 
a native of Tennessee, and his mother, Sarah 
(Kay) Ross, was born in Virginia. They were 
among the early settlers of tliat section of Indi- 
ana, where his father was engaged as a black- 
smith and carriage maker. When quite young 
his parents moved to Harrison County, in the 
sam,e State, where Mr. Ross received his educa- 
tion, and also learned the trade of blacksmith 
and wagon maker in the shops of his father. 
In 1848 he married Miss Martha Inman, a na- 
tive of Harrison County. He enjoyed the 
society of his bride but a short time as she 
was stricken with cholera the next year and died 
of that disease. He then went to Louisiana, 
where he remained until cai-ly in 1850, when 
he returned home and accompanied his parents 
to Van Buren County, Iowa. Leaving his fath- 
er's family there, he joined a party on April 5, 
and started across the plains for California. Tiie 
trip was made by the usual mode of travel in 
those days — the typical ox team — and it was not 
until the. 14th of September that the party ar- 
rived at Placerville, El Dorado County. Imme- 
diately after his arrival Mr Ross engaged in 
mining, which he continued with varying success 
for about two years. He then engaged with 
Bradley, Burdan & Co., in an enterprise for the 



purpose of conveying water from the Cosumnes 
River to the dry diggings to facilitate mining 
operations. In 1855 he established a general 
merchandise store at Coon Hollow in El Dorado 
County. Thisbnsiness he successfully conducted 
until 1857, when he came to Sonoma Valley, 
and purchased 300 acres of land frym Judge 
Moran, situated in Green Valley, Analy Town- 
ship, on the Santa Rosa and Forestville road, 
about one and a half miles south of Forestville, 
in the Redwood school district. Here Mr. Ross 
has since resided, devoting hiiflself principally 
to agricultural pursuits. The most of his land 
has been used for hay, grain, and stock purposes 
until the past few years, since which time he has 
engaged in liop growing and orchard cultivation. 
Two hundred and fifty acres of his land is 
situated on the road before mentioned and the 
other fift}' is one mile west of his residence. 
Upon this last named tract he has erected one 
of the most complete hop dry houses to be found 
in Analy Township. (This is to replace one 
burned in 1887). Upon this building and its 
fittings no expense has been spared in securing 
the modern improvements that experience has 
shown will improve the quality of the products 
of his hop fields. He has altogether thirty-seven 
acres in hop fields, equally divided between his 
fifty acre tract and home farm. Upon the home 
farm there are ten acres in orchard, producing 
peaches principally, and among the various 
varieties are the early and late Crawford, Wiley 
cling, and also a fine peach which is called the 
Ross cling. The latter peach is the I'esnlt of 
Mr. Ross's cultivation and experiments. It is a 
seedling peach that was upon his land when he 
purchased it, and believing in its superior quali- 
ties, years ago he commenced its improvement 
and now has one of the finest peaches grown in 
his section. As a specimen of the productions 
of Mr. Ross' peach orchard, it is worthy of note 
that from 145 four-year old Crawford peach 
trees he took in 1888 ten and a half tons of 
fruit, seven and three-fourth tons of which 
brought first-class prices at the cannery, and the 
rest went to the dry house. This was nearJy 



HISTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



$250 per acre. Of vines he has a tine family 
vineyard, producing a large variety of table 
grapes. Mr. Ross has devoted considerable 
attention to the improvement of stock. Among 
his horses are fine specimens of stock improved 
by McCIellan and Morgan breeds, and his cattle 
are improved by Holstein, Durham and Jersey. 
His sheep are of the Southdown breed. Upon 
this farm is a comfortable two-story residence, 
and one of the most substantial and complete 
l)arns in Sonoma County. Everything about 
his farm denotes the care, enterprise, and prac- 
tical knowledge that belong to the successful 
farmer. As a public spirited and progressive 
citizen Mr. Ross is ever ready to aid in all that 
will build up Sonoma County, and particularly 
the section in which he resides. His long res- 
idence in Green Valley has made him well 
known, and his straightforward dealings have 
secured him hosts of friends. He has been a 
life long Democrat, and though never aspiring 
to ofiice his influence has been felt in the party, 
and is always what he considers for its best 
interests. He has been chosen by his constitu- 
ents to represent them in the Democratic county 
conventions for nearly every convention con- 
vened during his residence in the valley. He 
is one of the charter members of Lafayette 
Lodge, No. 126, F. & A. M., of Sebastopol, an 
organization with which he has l)een associated 
for over thirty years. He is also a member of 
Sebastopol Grange, Patron!^ of Husbandry. A 
strong supporter of churches and public schools, 
he has served many terms as a school trustee in 
his district. He is also a consistent member of 
the Methodist Episcopal church. In El Dorado 
County, September 4, 1853, Mr. Ross was 
united in marriage with Miss Sydna Weeks, who 
was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, May 
15, 1833. By this union they have seven chil- 
dren whose names and dates of birth are as fol- 
lows: William, June 30, 1854, in Coon Hollow, 
El Dorado County; Frank, June 7, 1857; Kemp 
L., August 28, 1859; Irvin, December 3, 1861; 
George, January 10, 18G6; Benjamin, December 
13, 1868; and Annie E., November 21, 1875. 



William D. married Miss Hattie M Lee, daugh- 
ter of William H. Lee, of Fore.-^tville, and is 
living on fifty acres of his father's land. Frank 
married Miss Annie M. Ayers, daughter of 
David Ayers of Sonoma County, and is living 
in Santa Rosa. Kemp L. is a merchant in 
Forestville. L-vin married Miss Ida Gardner, 
daughter of D. P. Gardner of Santa Rosa, where 
they now reside. The other children are living 
at home. Mr. Ross's parents came to California 
in 1855 and finally settled in Green Valley 
where they died. The mother of Mrs. Ross is 
now (1888) a resident of Sonoma County. 



,^^ 



"^=^ 



lOLEMAN TALBOT.— We commence the 
genealogy of the Talbot family with the 
'^^ great-grandfather of the subject of this 
sketch, Samuel Talbot, who was born December 
30, 1717, of English parentage. He married 
Miss Owen and settled in Virginia. They had 
four sous: Samuel, Daniel, John and Benjamin. 
Samuel, the grandfather of our subject, was a 
native of Virginia, born March 17, 1756. In 
1775 he married Constantine Ragen, daughter 
of Nicholas Ragen, a native of Virginia. Nich- 
olas Talbot, their only son, was bom November 
10, 1776. He married Miss Aria Kennedy in 
Bourbon County, Kentucky, May 19, 1799. 
She was born May 11, 1781. Her father, John 
Kennedy, was taken prisoner by the British at 
the battle of Guilford Court-House, North 
Carolina, March 15, 1781, and died soon after 
from bad treatment he received on board a 
British prison ship. The letter he wrote the 
day before he was summoned into the army is 
a very interesting oi>e. It contains a fervent 
spirit of patriotism, and a prayer for the success 
of the colonies, and from its general tone, its 
author, if the spirits of the departed are per- 
mitted to look upon the scenes of this world, 
must have looked down with pride and exulta- 
tion upon the sturdy and unflinching patriotism 
of four of his grandsons in the late bloody 
struijo;le to maintain that which he died to 



jiisTony (IF so.\(i.}/A voiyrr. 



achieve. Tlie names of the cliiUlren wlio coin- 
prise the t'aniily of Nicholas ami Aria Talbot 
are as follows: Sophia, Louis, Courtney, Talli- 
tha, Coleuian, "Willis, Charles P., ilariah 
Louisa, Heleu, Kufus, and Nancy. Mr. Talbot's 
father, Nicholas Talbot, died May 1, 182S, and 
his mother, January, 1862. The subjet;t of this 
sketch is a native of Bourbon County, Ken- 
tucky, born July 13, 1809. He was married in 
that county April 27, 1830, to Miss Drusilla 
Bowles, daughter of Jesse and Ch)e (Parker) 
Bowles. His wife was born iu Bourbon County, 
Kentucky, May 4, 1812. In 1830 they moved 
to Adams County, Illinois. During his resi- 
dence in that county he enlisted in Captain 
David Crow's Company and served in the Black 
Hawk war of 1832. In 1850 he crossed the 
plains to California. Upon his arrival he en- 
gaged iu mining operations in Ilangtown 
(^Colonia) and Diamond Springs, until April 15, 
1850. He then came to Sonoma County, where 
he was engaged in making farm improvements 
and other work until the following January, at 
which time he took passage on the steamer 
California to Panama, and thence on the El 
Dorado to New York. From there he pro- 
ceeded to his birthplace in Kentucky, visiting 
for the last time his aged mother. Again, on 
April 20, 1852, he started across the plains for 
California, in company with J. M. Bowles, T. 
II. Tate, M. Britton, and others. After a long 
and tedious journey he arrived in Sonoma 
County, in October of that year. In July, 
1853, he settled in Bennett Valley, about six 
miles from Santa Rosa, where he engaged in 
farming and stock-raising. Mr. Talbot springs 
from a family noted for longevity and great 
power, and though nearly four-score years of 
age he is still hale and hearty, possessing a 
mind well stored with interesting reminiscences 
of a long and useful life. Family tradition 
states that remarkable feats of strength per- 
formed by Mr. Talbot's great-uncle are on 
record in Fairfax County, Virginia. Being one 
of the pioneers of Sonoma County. Mr. Talbot 
has a large circle of friends and acquaintances. 



by all of whom he is respected and esteemed. 
The following are the names and births of his 
chihlren: Kennedy Bowles, born May 1, 1831; 
America Helen, born March, 1, 1833 (deceased), 
married Hon. A. P. Overton; Ilolman (a sketch 
of whom appears in this volume), born May 10, 
1835; Courtney, born April 7, 1837; Jesse 
Nicholas, born August 15, 1840; Aria, born 
September 17, 1842, married William Ordway, 
of Petaluma, February 22, 1860, and died Sep- 
tember, 1878; P'liza P., born December 6, 
1845; Cloe A., born December 29, 1848; and 
Joseph Martin, born November 6, 1854. 



;|^EORGE N. SAUBORN was born in Or- 
m'fj'- leans Countj-, Vermont, December 27, 
'W*- 1835, his parents being John and Peacy 
(Randall) Sanborn, both natives of that State. 
Mr. Saniiorn's father was one of the most suc- 
cessful and thorough farmei's of that date, and 
he educated his son to that calling. The prac- 
tical lessons learned iu youth have been the 
means of securing his complete success when- 
ever he has engaged in agricultural and horti- 
cultural pursuits. AVhile at home on the farm 
his schooling was limited, but he early saw that 
success in life greatly depended upon a thorough 
and practical education. Mr. Sanborn is almost 
a self educated man; his naturally strong mind 
and indomitable will prompted him to earnest 
study. At the age of twenty he taught a dis- 
trict school in his county, and for the next five 
years he worked at farm labor in the summer 
and taught school in the winter, at the same 
time studying whenever and wherever he could. 
In 1860 he came by steamer route to California, 
and immediately upon his arrival, to Sonoma 
County. He first located at Petaluma, and was 
encfaced as a teacher near that city for three 
months. He then came to Green Valley, Analy 
Township, and was engaged as a teacher in the 
Oak Grove district until 1862. At this time 
his father's failing health demanded his return 
East, and he remained in his old home in Ver- 



HIHTOliY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



503 



luont until after tlie death of his father, which 
oecnrred in 1864. In Jiuie of that year Mr. 
Sanborn was united in marriage with Miss 
Emily J. Dewey, daughter of Chandler Dewey, 
of Orleans County, Vermont. In October, 
accompanied by his wife, he returned to Califor- 
nia, located at Sebastopol, Sonoma County, and 
again commenced his occupation as a teacher in 
the public schools. In 1866 he pre-empted 
forty acres of land on the Laguna in the Oak 
Grove school district, building a house and 
barn and taking up his residence there. He 
was still engaged as a teacher and only devoted 
himself to farming operations on a small scale 
during the vacations. In 1876 Mr. Sauborn 
increased his landed possessions by the purchase 
of forty-seven acres, which adjoins his first pur- 
chase on the southwest. This land was entirely 
unini.proved and in its wild state. The subject 
of this sketch in all these years continued his 
teaching, having but little faith in his ability to 
produce much of a revenue from his small 
farm. The schools he taught were in Analy 
and Bodega townships. In 1883 he abandoned 
teaching, his last school being in Oak- Grove 
school district. He then entered into farming 
and fruit growing in earnest, his motto being, 
" Whatever you do, do in the very best manner, 
procure the very best varieties of fruits, etc., 
and then devote your time and attention to their 
cultivation." He is deserving of success and 
has gained it, for at the present he is conceded 
to be the most successful fruit grower in the 
fine fruit section in which he resides. It is not 
so much the extent of his orchards as it is that 
he produces the very finest fruits. His land is 
located about two miles north of Sebastopol, 
twelve acres being in orchard mostly devoted to 
peaches of the orange cling variety. This peach 
was formerly known as Canada cling, and orig- 
inated on the widow Canada Kanch, on the 
Sacramento River. Mr. Sauljorn has achieved 
remarkable success with this fruit. Four acres 
of five-year-old trees produced in 1888, fourteen 
tons of perfect fruit. Four acres are devoted to 
vine cultivation of the Zinfandel variety. These 



he will eventually graft with Tokays. It is 
worthy of mention that Mr. Sauborn is very 
successful in all his budding and is constancy 
studying and experimenting in this branch of 
his business as an orchardist. A large portion 
of his land is still occupied by a heavy growth 
of pine trees, and the rest of his land is pro- 
ducing hay and is devoted to stock. He only 
raises such stock as are required on the farm. 
It is mentioned as showing the productions of 
his hay lands, that thirteen acres, in 1887, 
yielded lifty tons of first-class hay. Diversified 
farming is Mr. Sanborn's creed; corn, veget- 
ables of all kinds are grown, and anything that 
will yield a profit he considers worthy of his 
attention. He has 150 hens, which in eight 
months have netted him over $250. Mr. Sau- 
born is well known in the county, but particu- 
larly so in Analy and Bodega townships. His 
long residence and occupation has brought him 
in contact with a large portion of the inhabi- 
tants, and has gained him a large circle of 
friends and acquaintances, by whom he is greatly 
esteemed and respected. He is a member of 
Lafayette Lodge, No. 126, F. & A. M., of Sebas- 
topol. I'l politics he is a consistent Democrat. 
In October, 1869, Mrs. Sauborn died at the age 
of twenty-eight years, leaving one son, who is 
engaged at present with his father in farm and 
fruit operations. 



WS B. GLYNN was born in New York State 
'pt in November, 1843. His father, Hiram 
' ® Glynn, and his mother, Martha M. (Tib- 
bets) Glynn, were also natives of the same State. 
Hiram Glynn moved to Michigan in 1849, re- 
mained until 1853, when he came to California, 
where he was engaged in mining, here and in 
Alaska, for a period of twenty years. He then 
removed to Iowa, and from there to Michigan, 
and back to Iowa, where he died in 1886. 
There were four children. (Jne of the boys, 
Fred A., is at the present time mining in 
Shasta County, California. Clinton A. and the 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



onlj^ daughter, Addie (Blanchard), are residing 
in Michigan. Frank B., whose name heads this 
sketch, was the eldest of the family. He lived 
with his par'^nts until his twenty-first year, and 
then attended school for one year, and in 1867 
came to California and spent the better part of 
a year in traveling over the State. Then re- 
turned to Michigan and went to work on the old 
homestead, and in the same year, 1868, was 
married to Miss Mary J. McCarty. In 1869 
he bought a ranch near Independence, Iowa, 
and lived there about two years, and in 1872 
brought his wife and child to California with 
the intention of settling here. Tiiey remained 
but three months in 8anta Rosa, when they 
again returned to Iowa and located near Glenn 
"Wood, Mills County; bnt having the many ad- 
vantages of California so thorouglily impressed 
upon his mind, he detei'mined upon making 
California his future home, so he again came to 
Santa Rosa, bringing his family. He bought 
property and engaged in the selling of lumber 
for the Murphy Brothers. In 1881 he asso- 
ciated himself with Messrs. Dearbon & Berka, 
and bought tiie Jack Smith saw-mill in Cole- 
man Valley. In the fall of the same year 
Glynn and Berka bought Dearbon's interest, 
and in 1882 George W. Williams came into the 
firm by buying Mr. Berka's interest. In 1883 
Mr. Glynn succeeded to the entii'e business. 
He then had but 360 acres of land, but has 
added to this until now he has 419 acres, and 
upon this is one of the finest tracts of redwood 
to be found in Sonoma County — estimated at 
7,000,000 feet. He employs from twenty to 
forty men upon his place and in the mills, which 
are fully equipped with all modern improve- 
ments for turning out all kinds of lumber. In 
1887 he bought one-half interest of F. J. 
Yandle, Santa Rosa, in his foundry and ma- 
chine shop, and put in a stock of lumber also, 
and associated in said business. Besides his 
handsome residence he has five other houses 
upon the place for the accommodation of the men 
and their families. Mr. and Mrs. Glynn have 
had three children born to them, all living — 



Mattie E., George A. and Burr. Mr. Glynn is 
a member of Santa Rosa Lodge, No. 57, F. & 
A. M.; Santa Rosa Chapter, No. 45, R. A. 
M. ; Santa Rosa Commandery, No. 14, K. T. ; 
I. O. O. F. Lodge of Occidental; Santa Rosa 
Lodge, K. of P.; Ancient Order of Druids of 
Santa Rosa, and the Chosen Friends of Occi- 
dental. 



■-^- 



^M(\ 






▼f^lIOitAS M. DTJNN.— Among the notice- 
^(r^ jt ably fine places in the Sonoma Valley is 
^> that of the gentleman whose name heads 
this sketch. Mr. Dunn's farm of 100 acres is 
located about two miles south of Sonoma. The 
soil at this point is rich and productive, as is 
well attested by the success he has achieved in 
vine and fruit growing. He has thirty acres in 
wine grapes of the Zinfandel, Riesling, Chas- 
selas and Black Malvoise varieties. Ten acres 
are devoted to fruit comprising a fine variety of 
peaches, pears, apricots, apples, etc. The rest 
of his land is producing hay and grain, and 
pasturing stock. His farm is under a good 
state of cultivation and the improvements are 
first-class in every respect, and the fine shade 
trees and well kept grounds surrounding the 
commodious residence and well ordered out 
buildings all go to show the enterprise and 
taste of the owner. Mr. Dunn is a native of 
New York, born in 1818. His father, John 
Dunn, was a native of Ireland, who emigrated 
to tlie United States when a young man, en- 
gaged in farming in the State of New York, 
there spent the remainder of his days, and 
died at the age of over 100 years. His 
mother, Margaret (Crockett) Dunn, was a 
native of New York. The subject of this 
sketch was reared to farm life and received a 
fair common school education. Upon reaching 
manhood, he launched out in life to care for 
himself, and settled on Long Island, where he 
engaged in general farming, and was also largely 
engaged in raising vegetables for the New York 
markets. In 1862 became to California. Upon 



UI8T0BT (>V SONOMA OOUNTT. 



liis arrival in San Francisco he sought for em- 
ployment, and being something of a mechanic 
and engineer, he secured a berth as engineer in 
running a stationary engine in a factory. He 
was thus employed for a year or two, and then 
went to Nevada and there worked in a quartz 
mill until 1867. In that year he came to 
Sonoma County and located in Sonoma Valley, 
where he was employed as superintendent or 
foreman on the ranch of Albert Wheelock, 
located north of Sonoma. After being thus en- 
gaged until 1869 he rented a tract oi' land from 
Obed Chart, near Embarcadero. In 1873 he 
purchased thirty acres of his present farm and 
here took up his residence, afterward purchas- 
ing an additional seventy acres. Since that 
time Mr. Dunn has devoted himself to the 
cultivation and improvement of his lands, in 
which he has been successful. He is a con- 
sistent member of the Congregational church. 
Politically, he is a staunch Republican, and was 
a strong Union man during the war. While in 
San Francisco he was a member of the Mer- 
chant's Company, which consisted of 150 men 
who were enrolled for the protection of that 
city during those unsettled times. In 1857 
Mr. Dunn married Miss Fannie Sutherland, a 
native of England, and the daughter of William 
and Hester Sutherland, natives of Scotland and 
England. P''rom this marriage there are ten 
children: Edwin M., Eobert J., Charles W., F. 
Josephine, Lillie C, Albert W., Lathrop C, 
Harry J., William S. and Annie H. 



fOHN GIBSON.--The old travelers on the 
road from Sonoma to Santa Rosa through 
Glen Ellen, during the twenty years pre- 
ceding 1888, well remember the genial landlord 
of the " Half-way House" at Glen Ellen, who 
is the subject of this sketch. Mr. Gibson was 
born in Chatham, Kent County, England, in 
July, 1815. His father, .lohn Gibson, was a 
siiip builder, and later a surveyor for the Lloyds 
Insurance Cotnpany. Mr. (xibson attended 



school until the age of fourteen years, when he 
was apprenticed to the trade of a cabinet-maker 
and upholsterer. He Workedatthistradeforabout 
three years, and then, in 1832, emigrated to the 
United States. Upon his arrival in New York, 
j he apprenticed himself to learn the carpenter's 
trade. After serving his time he worked as a 
journeyman carpenter in that city until 1839. 
He then went to New Orleans, where he con- 
I tinued his calling until 1850, in which year he 
came, via the Isthmus route, to California. 
! Upon his arrival in San Francisco he readily 
obtained work at his trade, at from twelve to 
sixteen dollars per day. Mr. Gibson pursued 
the occupation jf a carpenter and cabinet-maker 
in San Francisco, and occasionally in interior 
\ towns, until 1856, when he was induced by 
I Captain Justi to locate in the Sonoma Valley. 
I He purchased from the captain a tract of land 
I upon the east side of the valley above Glen 
j Ellen, and entered upon the occupation of a 
I farmer, vineyardist and wine maker. , This land 
! was afterward proven to be a land grant, to 
j which Mr. Gibson could give no title without a 
second purchase. He accordingly abandoned 
the same, and, in 1868, purchased from Dr. J. 
B. Warfield ninety-eight acres of land located 
j south of his former holdings and east of what 
I is now the village of Glen Ellen. Upon this 
I land Mr. Gibson made extensive improvements, 
and entered more extensively into grape culture 
and wine making. For this purpose he erected 
a winery and cellar with a capacity of 75,000 
gallons. He also, in 1869, built a substantial 
and commodious hotel, which he opened to the 
public. This well-known " Half-way House " 
was extensively patronized by the traveling 
public before the advent of railroads changed 
the mode of travel and freighting. Mr. Gib- 
son is now the owner of about seventy acres of 
land, which he is devoting principally to stock 
purposes. The Santa Rosa & Carquinez 
Railroad passes through his land, and event- 
ually his property will be cut up in small tracts 
which will form a part of the thriving village 
ot (ilen E11(!M. Wartield Station is just north 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



of and adjoining his land. Mr. Gibson's long 
residence and occupation has given him an ex- 
tensive acquaintance in Sonoma County, and 
gained him a large circle of friends. He has 
always been an energetic supporter of such 
movements as tended to develop his section of 
tiie county, and has filled local offices of trust. 
For many years he was the postmaster of Glen 
Ellen. Politically, he is a consistent Democrat. 
The subject of this sketch has been married 
three times. His first marriage was in 1837, 
with iliss Catherine Parker, who died the fol- 
lowing year. In 1844 he married Miss Maria 
P. Jamison of ]S'ew York. She died in Sacra- 
mento, in 1850, leaving two children: John H., 
who lives in California, and Eliza M., who mar- 
ried George Guerne, and is residing in Santa 
Rosa. In 1864 he married Mrs. Annie E. 
Bowman. 



fOHN CAVAK^AGH, a native of Dublin, 
Ireland, was born August 23, 1824. His 
grandfather and father were both born and 
reared at Knockbrandon, Parish of Mouaseed, 
County Wexford, Ireland. In 1845 he was a mem- 
ber of the Repeal Association and so continued 
until 1847, when he branched off with the 
Young Ireland party, known as the Irish Con- 
federation and joined the Gratton Club in Dub- 
lin. In 1849 he sailed from Liverpool on board 
of the bark Jane Ttidor for California, arriving 
ill San Francisco in August, 1850. He imme- 
diately proceeded to the mines on the Middle 
Fork of the American River, mined six weeks 
and returned to San Francisco where he en- 
gaged in the grocery business for a short time. 
He repaired a second time to the mines, locating 
on El Dorado Slide, remaining there "until the 
fall of 1852. In that year he came to Sonoma 
County and settled on Russian Kiver, near 
Windsor. In 1857 he sold his farm and came 
to Petaluma. Here he was interested in the 
Water Company in which he purchased an in- 
terest. In December, 1861, he, with T. F. Bay- 



liss and others, organized a military company 
known as the Eminett Rifles, composed of citi- 
zens of Irish birth, and the company was 
mastered into the National Guards of the State 
of California the same month, T. F. Bayliss, 
Captain and John Cavanagh, Lieutenant. A few 
months later, in 1862, the Petaluma Guards 
and the Emmett Rifles were mustered into ac- 
tive service and ordered by Governor J. G. 
Downey to report to the sheriff" of Sonoma 
County, at Santa Rosa, to enforce the law and 
orders of ihe district court in the northern 
part of Sonoma County, the sherifl^ having been 
resisted twice by armed forces known as the 
Settlers' League. The promptness with which 
the two military companies appeared at the 
scene of trouble is especially worthy of men- 
tion, and more particularly the Emmett Rifles, 
' they being a portion of the Irish Regiment of 
San Francisco. At that time one-half of the 
National Guards of the State were of foreign 
birth and it was expected by many all over the 
State that the officers would resign their com- 
missions and the companies disband sooner than 
help the government in its troubles, the Civil 
war having broken out in the East. The Em- 
mett Guards was the last company attached to 
the Irish Regiment and had not yet received 
their uniforms, but they were all honest " War 
Democrats" and willingly volunteered to help 
the government that they, in becoming citizens, 
had sworn to support against all enemies for- 
eign or native born. The sudden appearance of 
those companies at the front where insurrection 
or rebellion was expected, together with meas- 
ures and precautions taken by the State of 
California and the general government, saved 
California from the horrors of civil war. In 
1862 Mr. Cavanagh was elected city marshal of 
Petaluma, which office he held three years, and 
in 1866 was elected justice of the peace and was 
continuously elected justice of the peace or city 
recorder up to the present time, and now holds 
the latter office. In 1867 he opened a lumber 
yard and at about the same time disposed of his 
interest in the Water Company. June 15, 



EIST0R7 OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



567 



1860, he was united in marriage with Delia 
Carrigan, a native of Irelaiul. The issue of 
said marriage is seven children: Thomas James, 
John Edward, Stephen P., Jennie, Laura Ann, 
Margaret Ellen and Emma Grace, all living at 
this writing. Thomas James married Miss 
Ilattie, daughter of the late William R. Roberts. 
Laura Ann married W. B. Whitney, a promi- 
nent druggist of Healdsburg. In 1857 Mr. 
Cavanagh became a member of Sotoyome Lodge, 
No. 123, F. ife A. M., also a member of Peta- 
luina Chapter, No. 22, Royal Arch Masons, and 
is high priest of the same at the present time. 
He was a member of Santa Rosa Commandery, 
No. 16, and a charter member of Mount Olivet 
Commandery, No. 20, Knights Templar, and is 
captain general of said commandery at present. 
He is also a member of the Pioneer Associa- 
tion of the counties of Marin, Sonoma, Napa, 
Lake and Mendocino, and was elected president 
of the association in the years 1876 and 1877. 
He has held the commission of notary public for 
the past twelve years. He has been a director 
of the Mutual Relief Association of Petaluma 
for eighteen j'ears, or since its first organization, 
and has been an active member of tlie Petaluma 
iire department for the past twenty-live years. 



tARRY C. BROAVN, one of the proprie- 
tors of the Sonoma Abstract Bureau, is a 
native of California, born in Oakland, 
Alameda County, twenty-four years ago. His 
father A. C. Brown, came to the State in 1854 
from Columbus, Ohio, where he had carried on 
a wholesale boot and shoe manufactory, and a 
wholesale dry goods business for many years. 
In these enterprises he had been successful and 
had accumulated a large fortune. He was also 
engaged in the banking business there. He was 
originally from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and, 
after marrying, settled in Albany, New York, 
starting in life as a shoe cobbler, and rapidly 
developing into a large manufacturer. In 1840 
he had a stock of goods on hand worth $10,000 



which he bet against an equal value in cash on 
the election of General William Henry Harri- 
son. He won, and it was the only bet or gam- 
ing he ever indulged in. He married a Miss 
Taylor, a native of Zanesville, Ohio, by wlmm 
he had four sons and one daughter. Mrs. 
Brown died several years prior to the death of 
her husband, who at his death left an estate 
worth $150,000. The subject of this sketch 
received his early educational advantages in 
Oakland, and attended the Williston Seminary 
in Massachusetts. His first business venture 
was in partnership with his brother, Fred F. 
Brown, in a fruit and vineyard ranch near 
Windsor, Sonoma County. After being there 
two years and carrying on a system of planting 
and improving the place, which contained about 
forty acres of fruit, mostly pears, prunes and 
plums, and seventy acres in vineyard, Mr. Brown 
sold out to his brother. He ran for county 
clerk on the Republican ticket in 1886, and suf- 
fered a defeat by Mr. Mulgrew. In December 
of that year he went to Mexico with a view of 
engaging in business, but decided not to do so, 
and returned to Santa Rosa in the early part of 
1887. July 15, 1887, he purchased a half in- 
terest in the Sonoma County Abstract Bureau, 
which he still owns. The partners have invested 
nearly $25,000 in the enterprise and value it 
worth much more. Mr. Brown was married 
in San Jose, May 7, 1887, to Miss E. F. Wors- 
ter, who is also a native of California. He has 
erected this year. (1888) an elegant residence, 
in the Ludwig addition, costing with furnishing 
$17,000. Mr. Brown is a member of the Na- 
tive Sons of the Golden West. 



J^OLMAN TALBOT.— Among the promi- 
WM) i^^i^t residents of Bennett Valley, and the 
^M representative farmers of that section of 
Sonoma Count}', is the subject of this sketch. 
He was born May 10, 1835, in Adams County, 
Illinois. His father, Coleman Talbot (a sketeii 
of whom appears in this volume) is a native of 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Kentucky, and his mother, Driisilla (Bowles) 
Talbot, was also born in Kentucky. In 1S30 
his father moved to Adams County, Illinois. 
There the subject of this sketch was reared to 
farm life until 1852. In that year his father 
moved across the plains to California and settled 
in Sonoma County, locating in Bennett Valley, 
where he entered upon farming operations. Mr. 
Talbot was engaged in assisting his father in 
farming until 1859. In that year he proceeded 
to Butte County, where he engaged in mining 
for about eighteen months. He then returned 
to Bennett Valley and was employed upon his 
father's farm. January 9, 1865, he married 
Miss Frances Steel, the daughter of Julius A. 
and Elizabeth (Norton) Steel, residents of Se- 
bastopol, and early settlers of Sonoma County. 
Mrs. Talbot was born in Chicago, Illinois, Nov- 
ember 1, 1847. Immediately after his marriage 
Mr. Talbot took up his residence upon a tract of 
land which he had previously purchased from 
liis father, and commenced its improvement and 
cultivation. This tine farm is located in 
Bennett Valley, in the Santa Rosa school 
district, about six miles from Santa Rosa. This 
farm contains 250 acres of hill and valley land. 
Mr. Talbot has made extensive improvements in 
the cultivation and products of this land during 
the last twenty years. He has now a magnifi- 
cent vineyard of fifty acres, forty-two acres of 
which are devoted to the production of wine 
grapes of the Zinfandel, Riesling and Mission 
varieties, and eight acres to table grapes, among 
which are Rose of Peru, Tokay and Muscat 
varieties. There is also a fine family orchard, 
containing a large variety of fruits. The rest of 
his land is devoted to hay, grain and stock-rais- 
incr. Among other improvements is a beautiful 
two-story residence, in which Mr. Talbot has 
combined all the comforts and conveniences that 
characterize a well-ordered home. This resi- 
dence is situated upon the hills, which gives a 
magnificent and delightful view of miles of the 
beautiful valley. Mr. Talbot has from young 
manhood spent his life in Bennett Valley, as 
well as in a large portion of the county. His 



straightforward and consistent course of life has 
gained for him the well merited respect and es- 
teem of his associates. Energetic, liberal and 
enterprising, he is always a supporter of any en- 
terprise that tends to advance the interest and 
welfare of the county in which he resides. He 
is a consistent member of the Christian church. 
In jjolitical matters he is a strong Republican. 
Mr. and Mrs. Talbot have three children, viz.: 
Allena, born December 25, 1866; Talitha 
Augusta, born December 30, 1876, and Lesley, 
born March 13, 1885. Mr. Talbot is a firm be- 
liever in public schools and a strong advocate for 
thorough and liberal education of the rising gen- 
eration. His daughter Allena is a graduate of 
the Santa Rosa Ladies' College, and was married 
November 21, 1888, to George F. Clark. 



►>^ 



fR. GIBSON, whose home ranch is in 
Mendocino Township, is a native of Ken- 
"* tucky, born at a place near the line of 
Tennessee, February 6, 1818. His early boy- 
hood days were spent in the neighborhood of 
his birthplace. When in his fourteenth year he 
accompanied his parents to Jackson County, Mis- 
souri, where he grew to manhood, and there was 
married, August 20, 1839, to Miss Laura Rob- 
inson, a native of Kentucky, born in Madison 
County, and daughter of John R. and Nancy 
(Cox) Robinson. Her parents were both reared in 
Kentucky, but her father was an Englishman 
by birth. When Mrs. Gibson was a girl of less . 
than twelve years, her parents removed from 
Kentucky to Missouri, where she grew to 
womanhood. In 1853 Mr. and Mrs. Gibson 
crossed the plains to California with an ox team, 
and were six months on the journey. They 
located in Solano County, where they re- 
sided until the fall of 1854. They then came 
to Sonoma County, and located near Llealdsburg. 
Two years later they removed to a place twenty- 
five miles west of Sacramento, and afterward to 
the vicinity of Lakeport, where they resided 
nearly fifteen years. From there they removed 



HISTORY OF SONOMA OOUNTT. 



to the vicinity of Bear Valley, their trading 
point being Colusa, from which they were dis- 
tant forty miles. Their next move was back to 
Lake County, and after a residence there of one 
year, they located in the mountains of Sonoma 
County, where they lived twelve years, and 
in 1881 settled at their present location. Here 
they have 116 acres of land devoted to general 
farming purposes. Mr. Gibson also has a big 
sheep i-anch in Tom Green County, Texas, to 
which he gives his personal supervision, his 
stopping place being Los Angeles. Mr. and 
Mrs. Gibson have had three children, of whom 
one — Samuel — is deceased. Those living are 
Silas and John Robertson. The former was 
born in Jackson County, Missouri, and was 
married to Emma V. Lambert, November 22, 
1871. They reside on the home ranch. John 
Robertson Gibson was also born in Jackson 
County, Missouri. He makes his home with 
his mother on the ranch. Mrs. Gibson has the 
honor of having killed the largest grizzley bear 
that was ever killed in this vicinity. It was 
caught in a trap, and Mrs. Gibson seized a gun 
and shot it dead. 



■ A.LDEN & CO., propi ietors of the Gey- 
ser Peak Vineyard, are late important 
l^'^^l additions to the manufacturers of grape 
products in Sonoma County. The firm of Wal- 
den & Co. is one of the leading houses in the 
United States in the line of importers and job- 
bers of line brandies. Drawing their supply of 
cham])agne cognacs, as they did, from the cham- 
pagne districts of France, it may be well 
nnderstood what a blow tiieir business received 
when the ravages of the phylloxera almost 
destroyed the vineyards of that country. As 
the finer brands disappeared from the market, 
the connoisseurs in brandies withdrew from 
brandy drinking, which then became almost 
obsolete. Recognizing that some radical move 
was necessary to bring back to the business its 
old-time prestige, lidward Walden, head of the 



firm of Walden & Co., began to look for a new 
source from which to draw supplies. In 1880 
he came to California, and after a thorough in- 
vestigation of the field, rented distilleries, and 
finally bought what is now known as the Geyser 
Peak Vineyard, with its winery and distillery. 
The tract consists of seventy-six acres, and is 
about one mile almost due north from Geyser- 
ville. The ranch occupies a beautiful location, 
with a gradual rise from the valley to the hills. 
The winery was erected in 1876 by A. Quitzom, 
the proprietor of the ranch at that time. He 
was succeeded in ownership by a Spaniard, 
under whose dominion the winery lay idle for 
two years. The present firm purchased from 
him. The process here followed is to make the 
grapes into wine, all of which is then used in 
the manufacture of brandies, at the distillery ad- 
joining. The grapes of this vicinity have a fla- 
vor superior to those of any other section of 
California, and by the use of the best materials 
and the employment of only the best and most 
ex'perienced wine and brandy makers, together 
with the enforcement of their own ideas for the 
protection of the finished product, brandies are 
here turned out that defy competition. The 
only brandies known to the trade with which 
they cannot compete are the champagne cognacs 
of the celebrated Charente district of P>ance. 
The firm is strictly wholesale, selling to jobbers, 
and the entire output of the winery is sent East, 
a portion of the product being kept for two 
years and the remainder being soon used in 
their trade. Edward Walden, Jr., who has 
charge of the California department of the busi- 
ness, is a thorough business man, and exercises 
a general supervision over the plant here. He 
makes his home on the ranch during the vinting 
season. 

^^^^'^^ 

I^EORGE FRIEDRICH FISCHER is the 

tS? owner of ninety-two acres of productive 

W^ land located in Sonoma school district, one 

mile south of Sonoma, on Broadway avenue. 



570 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Mr. Fischer devotes considerable atteiuion to 
wine nialving, liaving tiiirty-four acres of his 
laud in wine grapes of the Zinfandel, Goodell, 
Chasselas, Berger, Riesling and Mission varie- 
ties. He has also a winery with a capacity' of 
30,000 gallons, which enables him to manufact- 
ure the products of his vineyard into wine. 
His long experience in this industry renders 
him an expert, and his wines are first-class in 
every respect, and command good prices wher- 
ever oflered for sale. In addition to his winery 
he has a distillery with a capacity suitable to all 
his requirements. The rest of his land, with 
the exception of a small family orchard, is de- 
voted to hay, grain and stock. All the improve- 
ments upon ills place, including winery, large 
barn and other out buildings, also the planting 
of the vines, except four acres of Mission 
grapes, have been made by Mr. Fischer since 
1877. Mr. Fischer having been identified with 
Sonoma Valley for over twenty years, the brief 
sketch of his life herewith given is of interest. 
He was born in Baden, Germany, May 29, 
1831, his parents being John George and 
Elizabeth (Urapach) Fischer, both natives of 
Baden. His father was engaged in street paving 
and other contract work, but he owned a farm 
upon which he reared his family. The sub- 
ject of this sketch was there reared, and as soon 
as he arrived at a suitable age he had full charge 
of the farming operations. He followed the 
calling of a farmer and wine maker in the vine- 
yards at home until 1865, in which year he 
came to the United States. Soon after his ar- 
rival in New York he proceeded to Indiana and 
located at Indianapolis, where he engaged in 
farm labor until September, 1806. At that 
time his health became so broken with fever 
and ague that he found it necessar3' to seek 
some other climate. He therefore came to Cal- 
ifornia, and located in Sonoma Valley. With his 
experience as a wine maker he readily obtained 
employment in Buena Vista vineyard, as a cel- 
lar master. He was thus employed until 1870, 
when, in partnership with Henry Truch, he es- 
tablished a winery in the city of Sonoma. This 



enterprise was successfully conducted until 
1876, when Mr. Fischer sold out and returned 
to Germany. While in his native land he was 
united in marriage with Miss Eliza Vortisch, 
a native of Baden, the daughter of Karl Fried- 
rich and Christina Vortisch. Soon after the 
marriage Mr. Fischer returned with his bride to 
Sonoma, and early in 1877 took up his present 
residence. . Mr. Fischer is a fair representative 
of the successful (Terman element that has 
built up the wine industry of Sonoma Valley. 
By his consistent life and industrious habits he 
has gained success, and well merits the respect 
and esteem bestowed upon him by those who 
know him best. Mr. and Mrs. Fischer are the 
parents of the following named children: Fried- 
rich, Karl Otto, Elizabeth, Ella, and Maria 
Louise. 

l^^^EVI II. PATTY, M. I)., was born Kovem- 
Pl? ber 27, 1832, in Covington, Ohio. His 
"^^ father, Samuel Patty, was a native of War- 
ren County, where he was born in 1806. Prior 
to that the Patty's were from South Carolina, 
and settled in Ohio when that State was a Ter- 
ritory. Samuel Patty married for his second 
wife Salone Bollinger, a native of Juniata 
County, Pennsylvania, who was the mother of 
the subject of this sketch. Mr. Patty was a 
mill owner at Covington and from there moved 
to Bichmond, Indiana, where he engaged in 
mercantile trade. Several years later he went 
further north, where he dealt quite largely in 
real estate and died in Beamsville, Darke 
County, Indiana, in 1858. His wife died 
in 1852. Levi II. Patfy was principally 
raised in Richmond, Indiana. He was edu- 
cated at the common schools, and remained 
at home until he was about seventeen years 
of age. He then commenced teaching in the 
neighborhood schools, and shortly after the 
death of his mother went to Iowa and from 
there drifted to Omaha, Nebraska, where for 
two years he was engaged in contracting and 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



571 



building. In 1855 lie went to Leavenworth, 
Kansas, and took up some land which he held 
for some time before disposing of it. He during 
this time having acquired a knowledge of medi- 
cine, went to Pratt County, Missouri, where he 
worked up a successful practice and remained 
five years. From there, in 1863, he came to 
California, located in San Bernardino and en- 
gaged in the practice of his profession with 
Dr. D. R. Dickey, where he reniained about 
a year and a half. He was tlien employed 
by the medical directors of the department of 
California, as acting assistant surgeon for the 
United States army, in which position he served 
from December, 1865, until August, 1875, 
when upon the withdrawal of the troops from 
Camp Wright he had the contract annulled, 
and was appointed custodian of the Govern- 
ment property, remaining at Camp Wright 
another year, until the property was transferred 
ti) the Indian department. In the summer of 
1876 Dr. Patty went to St. Louis, and attended 
the St. Louis Medical College, from which he 
graduated March 7, 1877. He then returned to 
California and settled in Petaluma, where he 
has been located ever since. He is without 
question, one of the most successful physicians 
who has practiced in this section. He first 
opened an office on Main street opposite the 
American House, but for the past three 
years has occupied his presentcomfortable quar- 
ters in the Whitney building. Dr. Patty is a 
member of the State Medical Society; has been 
a Mason for thirty-five years, and for the ])ast 
six years a Knight Tem]>lar, lielonging to the 
Mount Olivet Commandery, Xo. 20. He was 
married in 1869 to Adelia Hardin, of Clay 
County, Missouri. They have one son, Levi U. 
Patty, Jr. 

tH.KROUCKE, member of the Santa Rosa 
Planing Mill Company and proprietor of 
* Kroucke's Park, came to Sonoma County 
in 1871 a poor mechanic, and for several years 



pursued his trade of carpenter. In 1875 he 
started a small planing mill, and five years later 
purciiased the property now known as the Santa 
Rosa planing mill, situated in the west part of 
tlie city, between Fifth and Sixth streets. In 
1884 he took in as partners T. J. Ludwig and 
F. Berke, who have owned and operated the 
mill ever since. The buildings now occupy 
about 200 feet square of ground, are furnished 
with the best improved machinery for sawing 
and dressing lumber and manufacturing all 
kinds of mill work for house finishing in laro-e 
quantitie.-, and give employment to twenty men. 
The'firm also manufactures 2,000,000 bricks a 
season. One of the specialties turned out at the 
mills are the large wine tanks and casks, ranging 
from 500 to 5,000 gallons each, and turning 
out about 300 of eacli and increasing in number 
yearly. In 1885 Mr. Kroucke bought four 
acres and a half of land on Fourth street near 
the Eastern limit of the city, which he has con- 
verted into the beautiful breathing spot denomi- 
nated Kroucke's Park. The place was a feed 
yard when he purchased it, but in three years 
he has transformed it into a charming resort. 
The grounds are ornamented with walks, fount- 
ains, shrubbery, and flowers in great varietv. 
interspersed with shade trees and rustic seats. 
Large buildings have been erected and fitted up 
for various purposes of amusement, including a 
fine bowling alley and a superb dancing floor 
60x100 feet in size, and a restaurant stand. 
The park also contains a splendid swimming 
pool, 40 x 60 feet in area, and from three to nine 
feet in depth, with a capacity of 60.000 gallons of 
water, which is constantly supplied by the city 
water works. The pool is surrounded by neat 
private dressing rooms for the use of individu- 
als patronizing the swimming bath. In the 
purchase and improvement of the park Mr. 
Kroucke has already expended about §!20,000, 
and he contemplates erecting a commodious 
summer hotel on the premises at a cost of some 
§20,000 more. He is constantlychanging and add- 
ing to the many features of his beautiful park. 
Thisseason he is buildingabeautifulconservatory 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



and mnsic stand. This pretty park is a popular 
resort for picnic parties from San Francisco and 
elsewhere wiio visit Santa Rosa tor a da\''s ont- 
ing. Mr. Krouci\e is a German bj nativity; 
grew to manhood and learned the carpenter's 
trade in the land of his birth, lie landed in 
Is'ew York in December, 1809, and after work- 
ing there a year came to California. In 1873 
he married Catharine Dwenger, also born in 
Germany. They have four children, all living: 
Annie, Martha, Henry and Edward. 



fAPTAIN THOMAS FULSHER BAYLIS, 
deceased. — The subject of this sketch was 
born in 1S23, of English parents, in the 
city of Dublin, Ireland. His father, Thomas 
H. Baylis, was a soldier in the British army, 
attached to the Seventeenth Royal Infantry, 
which was stationed at different points, being 
in Dublin at tiie time of the birth of the sub- 
ject of this sketch. "When a mere boy Mr. 
Baylis went to Australia, where he received 
the most of his education, finishing at the Kings 
College, Paramatta. He, early in life, followed 
the vocation of a seaman and during one of 
these voyages landed in California in 1847. In 
1850, when Petal u ma was only a hunting 
ground, he made several trips up to tiiis place, 
and transported game and other merchandise to 
San Francisco. As the country became settled 
np he added to his line of schooners, and finally 
put on a steamer, plying along the creek route. 
The passenger fare from this point to the city 
at one time was as high as §6, but, by the ac- 
tion of Captain Baylis, it was reduced to $1, 
and at one time, during a severe competition, 
was down to 50 cents. In connection with liis 
line of boats he put up three warehouses in the 
town, one of which, a stone building, is still 
standing. He formed a copartnersiiip with 
Joseph Cutter and David Sullivan, the former 
managing the business in Petalnma and the 
latter attending to the shipping and wharfingin 
San Francisco, while Mr. Bavlis devoted liis 



attention to the control of one of the steamers. 
He was also, previous to this partnership, con- 
nected with David Flogdale in running the 
Pioneer Hotel, which burned down some years 
after. He early became a member of the Odd 
Fellows order, and was instrumental with them 
in starting the library which was afterward 
turned over to the city. Captain Baylis was 
twice married, the first time to a lady named 
Weise, by whom he had three children, two 
daughters, both married and living in the State, 
and T. H. T. Baylis, a young and energetic 
business man of this city. His second mar- 
riage was to the widow of David Flogdale. The 
captain was an active member of the Hook and 
Ladder Company, No. 1, and when the com- 
pany was first organized, built the hook and 
ladder house on his own property for their use. 
During the war he was Captain of the Emmett 
Rifles, a history of w.iich is found in another 
part of this woi-k. Death claimed him Sep- 
tember 10," 1867. We append an extract pub- 
lished in the Petaluma Argus shortly after his 
death. " Captain T. F. Baylis has been a resi- 
dent of Petaluma since 1850, and during this 
time has seen Petaluma grow from an almost 
isolated hamlet to one of the most flourishing 
inland cities of California; a great part of which 
is attributed to his indomitable will and enter- 
prise. In his public capacity he has exhibited 
great administrative ability and zeal. In his 
private station he has ever enjoyed the reputation 
of being a kind, polite and humane gentleman. 
He was a grand officer of the Petaluma Lodge, 
No. 30, I. O. O. F., and a most active and ex- 
emplary member in battling for and in living 
up to the principles of tiie order. He was an 
eminent and upright citizen, either as follower 
or leader in the faithful and zealous discharge 
of his duty. The funeral services of the de- 
ceased were of the largest and most imposing 
ever witnessed in this city. The business houses 
were all closed, flags were drooped at half mast, 
the bells tolled, and the quiet that pervaded the 
streets showed how deeply the loss was felt. 
The military, fire department and Odd Fellows 



UISrORY OF SOUOMA COUNTY. 



were out in full numbers headed by the 
Petalnma band plaving a solemn dirge." 



>4*-^ 



fH. TORRAXCE, of Guemeville, is one 
of the old settlers of Sonoma County. 
® He is nativeof Chautauqua County, New 
York, born on the 4th of March, 1832, bis 
parents being Loyal B. and Sophronia (Perry) 
Torrance. The father, who came of an old New 
York family, was atone time a cloth manufact- 
urer, having extensive woolen mills on Catta- 
rautrus Creek. The mother came of a family 
prominent in Revolutionary times, being a 
dautrhter of Colonel Perry, of Lake Erie fame. 
S. H. Torrance, the subject of this sketch, was 
but a child of si.x years when his parents re- 
moved to Missouri, and located where the pros- 
perous city of St. Joseph has since been built. 
That country was then on the very outskirts of 
civilization, and young Torrance grew up amid 
the scenes of frontier life in tho.se early days. 
This life had a certain fascination for him, and 
he acquired a high degree of skill in the use of 
fire arms and in the ways of the woodsman and 
plainsman. Through long associations with the 
Indians, who abounded in the vicinity of his 
home, he became familiar with their language, 
as well as with their character and habits. 
This knowledge soon brought his services, as a 
guide, into demand, and when yet a lad in years 
lie was often called upon to serve in that capac- 
ity. His father, in tlie meantime, had taken 
up the practice of medicine, which was there- 
after his profession. "VTheu the war with Mex- 
ico came on, S. H. Torrance left home to take 
part in that struggle. He went with a train as 
teamster from Fort Leavenworth to Santa Fe, 
and there enlisted in the United States service 
in Doniphan's command. With it he served 
until the close of hostilities, being out thirteen 
months, and participating in two battles and 
much skirmisiiing. Returning to Leavenworth, 
he was discharged there. In the fall of 1S47 a 
party was organized in Buchanan County, Mis- 



souri, to emigrate to Oregon, and Mr. Torrance 
was selected as their guide. He at once left 
home to take charge of the stock of the outfit 
during the winter. The following spring they 
started. Mr. Torrance had been over the route 
taken as far as Fort Laramie, was acquainted 
with the Indian tribes along the way, and was 
able to speak their language. This, of course, 
was a great help to the expedition. After cross- 
ing the Rocky Mountains they followed the old 
Oregon trail by Bear River, and in the month 
of October, after a journey of six months, 
arrived in Oregon City. On account of the ex- 
cellent management of the caravan, they expe- 
rienced few of the hardships undergone by 
other parties, and had only a little skirmishing 
with hostile Indians. Mr. Torrance did not 
confine himself to any particular locality, but 
traveled over a good portion of the Pacific coast, 
much of the time being engaged in mining at 
Jacksonville, on the Rogue River. In thesum- 
mer of 1852 a band of hostile Indians visited 
Rogue River Valley, and massacred fonr or five 
families. Mr. Torrance was one of a company 
of men who went out in pursuit of them and 
captured eight or ten, all of whom were hanged 
at Jacksonville. In 1853 he crossed the Cas- 
cade Mountains, and for some time was engaged 
in trading with the Indians and with immigrants. 
In the fall of 1855 he went to Yreka, and win- 
tered there. In the spring he proceeded down 
the Sacramento River, and later arrived in So- 
noma County. He bought a ranch, which 
proved to be on the Walla grant, and he gave 
it up. In the fall of 1850 he removed to the 
place where he now resides, directly across the 
Russian River from Guerneville. Here he 
built a cabin, and engaged in trapping beaver 
and in hunting. He would dress the skins, 
manufacture them into gloves, etc., and sell the 
articles for a living. After a time lie engaged 
in getting out shingles, and in 1800 brought 
machinery from San Francisco and put up the 
firstsaw-mill in Guerneville. He operated it fonr 
or five years, then suld a portion of the machin- 
ery to Meeker Brothers, and the remainder to 



HISTOHY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Guerne & Bagley. After tliat he gave his 
attention to stock and farming. Mr. Torrance 
erected a very handsome residence in 1882. on 
a spot which commands a splendid view 
of the surrounding country. Besides his 
line home farm, he has within three miles 
another place of 160 acres, and besides 
controls a section of land elsewhere. He 
has made the improvements himself, and has 
done more clearing than any man in the county. 
Mr. Torrance built the iirst school-bouse in 
Gnerneville, and maintained a three months 
school at bis own expense. Mr. Torrance was 
married in Oregon, in 1855, to Miss Elizabeth 
Dukes, a native of one of the Middle States, 
reared in Missouri. They have two children 
living, viz.: Joseph L., and John B. Mr. 
Torrance is a Republican, politically. He is a 
member of the I. O. O. F., and was treasurer of 
the Gnerneville lodge for many years. He 
has many relics of his early exjierience in this 
county, among them a hunting knife, the blade 
of which is worn almost away by his use of it 
in skirmishing and butchering game which he 
himself had slaughtered. He has a medal, a 
present to him from Congress, in honor of his 
service in the Mexican war. It is made from 
the metal of cannon captured from the Mexican 
troops. Mr. Torrance has lived to see a pros- 
perous commnnity built up where he at one 
time roamed alone in pursuit of his vocation as 
hunter and tr.ipper, and he is yet an active man. 



fLLIS E. MORROW, proprietor of the 
leading plumbing house of Santa Rosa, 13 
street, between Third and Fourth streets, 
lias been in tlie plumbing business here since 
April, 1887. Mr. Morrow is a native of Mis- 
souri, was born in St. Louis; and in 1864 came 
to Santa Rosa with his father, James Morrow, 
who was also a practical tinsmith, having learned 
his trade in the great house of Taylor Bros., of 
Philadelphia. James Morrow died in Santa 
Rusa four years ago, aged eighty-three years, 



having been in the same business ever since he 
was sixteen years old, and forty years of that 
time in St. Louis. Reared to the same calling 
as his father, Ellis E. Morrow has forced his 
way to the fi'ont, and now ranks as one of the 
leading business men of Santa Rosa. For a 
number of years he and his brother carried on a 
tin manufacturing and hardware business in 
Santa Rosa, until about eleven years ago, when 
they sold out. Since then, until he started in 
the plumbing business, he worked at his trade 
as a journej'man. His chief business now is 
plumbing, but he also carries a stock of stoves, 
tinware, plumbing brass goods and piping — 
both water and sewer pipe. In his plumbing 
business he employs six men, being the only 
firm in the city to employ expert scientific 
plumbers. Being a practical sanitary plumber 
himself, he understands when the work is well 
dime. He also does general job work, roofing, 
pipe work, etc. In Santa Rosa Mr. Morrow 
married Miss Rachel A. Barnes, a native of 
Illinois. They have one child, Wilfred E., a 
bright boy of eleven years. Mr. Morrow is a 
member of the Knights of Pythias and the A. 

o. u. w. 



fA. REINERS, of Mendocino Township, 
has a ranch of 170 acres on the Dry 
,„- * Creek Valley road, six miles north from 
Healdsburg, which is devoted to the following 
crops, with the acreage stated: alfalfa, ten acres; 
corn, ten acres; vegetables, two acres; orchard, 
twenty acres; vineyard, forty-five acres. The 
rest of the ranch is in pasture and timber land. 
Mr. Reinerscuts the alfalfa twice a year, getting 
four tons per acre, and then pasturing eighteen 
head of stock on the land till the rainy season. 
The corn land is excellent, turning out as high 
as sixty to eighty bushels to the acre. With 
the exception of the silver prunes, the orchard 
is in fine condition. The trees are five years 
old, and are divided among peaches, apricots, 
pears, plums, apples, French and Silver prunes. 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Twelve acres of the vines are Zinfandels, and 
the rest Riesling and (xolden Chasselas. He 
will add twenty acres more of the Burgundy 
variety. Mr. Reiiiers has erected a winery, and 
his vintage for 1888 was l(j,000 gallons. This 
amount will be increased from year to year. Mr. 
Keiners is a native of Hanover, Germany, born 
November 14, 1836, his parents being C. A., Sr., 
and Annie (Baar) Reiners, the father a farmer. 
The subject of this sketch was reared in his na- 
tive country, attending school from the age of 
six to fourteen years. He then went to work 
on his father's farm. In 1854 he decided to 
come to America, and on the fifth of April, 
1854, sailed from Bremen on the ship Coperni- 
c^is. Their course took them around Scotland 
on account of contrary tides. Going north 
among the ice, on the 26th of April they lost 
all hope of saving the vessel which had sprung 
a heavy leak. This, however, was stopped and 
the vessel finally got sal'ely through the danger- 
ous locality, but not without the loss of her bow- 
sprit and two masts, and arrived in New York 
harbor. May 18. Mr. Reiners was engaged in 
the butchering business, steamboat butchering, 
etc., for the next eight years, in New York City. 
At the expiration of that time he went back to 
Germany on a visit to his family, and eleven 
months later returned to New York City on 
the steamer New York, of the Bremen line. 
May 3, 1863, he took passage for California, via 
Panama. On the Pacific side he was a passen- 
ger on the Constitution, landing at San Fran- 
cisco during the latter part of May. He was en- 
gaged at the butchering business one year, then 
established a restaurant, which he conducted for 
three years. He then entered into the manu- 
facture of mineral waters, etc., to which he de- 
voted his attention until 1882, when he came 
to Sonoma County. He was married in San 
Francisco, November 27, 1865, to Miss Mary 
Kahrs, a native of Hanover, Germany, and 
daughter of George and Gertrude (Fohrin) 
Kahrs. The father died wiien Mrs. Reiners 
was a cliild, and the family came to America in 
1866. Mrs. Kahrs died in 1884, aged eighty 




years. Mr. and Mrs. Reiners have four children, 
viz.; George H., Charles John, Mary C, and 
John. Mr. Reiners is a member of the North 
Deutsche Society, San Francisco, in which he 
has been chairman, treasurer, etc., and has also 
been connected with several other societies. He 
has served as school trustee three years, and 
clerk of the board. 



PIj-ALTER philips.— Among the notice- 
able and representative vineyards of 
Sonouia County is that owned by Mr. 
Walter Philips, and is situated in Bennett Val- 
ley, Santa Rosa Township. Tiie above named 
vineyard is on the Bennett Yalley and Petaluma 
road, in the Strawberry school district, seven 
miles southeast of Santa Rosa. It contains 230 
acres of choice land well adapted to grape and 
fruit culture. 0[ie hundred and thirty acres 
are devoted to vines, producing the most ap- 
proved wine grapes grown in Sonoma County, 
among which are eighty acres of Zinfandel, 
twenty acres of Gray Riesling, fifteen acres of 
Burgundy, and many other well known and 
approved varieties. The products of this vine- 
yard are manufactured into wine upon the place, 
and for this purpose Mr. Philips has erected one 
of the most complete wineries in his section, it 
having a capacity of 150,000 gallons. No ex- 
pense has been spared in securing all the latest 
improvements needed in conducting his enter- 
prise, and the products of his winery, claret and 
Riesling wine, always command the highest 
market rates. Mr. Philips also devotes con- 
siderable attention to general farming, having 
one hundred acres of land which is producing 
hay, grain and stock. The improvements on 
this place including residence, out-buildings, 
winery, etc., have all been made by Mr. Philips. 
He purchased the land in 1871, it being then a 
comparative waste. The success which he has 
achieved, has been the result of the energy and 
industry, combined with sound business prin- 
ciples that are characteristic of the man. He is 



HISTOlir OF .SONOMA COUNTY. 



one of the representative, public-spirited, and 
proijressive citizens of Sonoma Count}-, and is 
deserving of his well earned success. 



fZRA W. WOOLSEY.— Among tiie rep- 
resentative farmers and prominent stock 
growers of Santa Rosa Township is the 
subject of tliis sketch. Mr. Woolsey was born 
in Siiffjlk County, Now York, in 1824-. He 
is a descendant from old New England fami- 
lies. His father was Nathan W. Woolsey, son 
of John A\'oolsey, of Darien, Connecticut, a 
soldier of the Revolutionary war. His mother, 
Lettitia (Conklin) Woolsey, was a native ot 
New York. When but two years of age Mr. 
Woolsey's father died, leaving him to the care 
of his mother. He was reared in Snfltblk County, 
receiving a good education, until the age of six- 
teen years. He then started in life for himself, 
left his native place and proceeded to New York 
City. In the year 1849 he entered mercantile 
life as a clerk for his brother, which he continued 
until 1855, when he established a large whole- 
sale provision house. He successfully conducted 
this enterprise until 1861. The breaking out of 
the war and consequent depression of his busi- 
ness, a large portion of which was cormected 
with the South, compelled him to seek other 
pursuits. He then engaged in the insurance 
business, being connected with some of the most 
reliable companies in the East. He continued 
that business in New York until 18G8. In that 
year he came to California and located in San 
Francisco. There he established a general life 
insurance agency, which he conducted for several 
years. Mr. Woolsey's attention was early at- 
tracted to the wool growing industry of Cali- 
fornia, and to the improvement of the sheep of 
the State, and in 1880 he established himself at 
Berkley, Alameda County, wliere he engaged in 
importing and breeding some of the finest 
thoroughbred sheep to be procured. This enter- 
prise proving successful and desirous of enlarg- 
ing his operations he came to Sonoma County, 



and in 1880 purchased 490 acres of land on the 
south bank of the Mark West Creek, in the 
Russian River school disti'ict. This tine farm is 
located on the Guerneville branch of the North 
Pacific Railroad, near Meacham Station, about 
two miles west of the town of Fulton. Since 
taking up his residence here in 1880, Mr. Wool- 
sey has devoted his attention to the breeding of 
thoroughbred sheep, fruit cultivation, and gen- 
eral farming. He has made many improve- 
ments, planted orchards, vineyards, etc., and his 
rich and productive soil seems adapted to the 
production of all and every variety of products 
grown in tlie county. He has fifty acres in 
orchard which may be classed as follows: Si.K- 
teeii acres of peaches, fifteen acres of Frencli 
prunes, ten acres of olives and five acres of pears. 
The rest may be styled a family orchard and 
there are few fruits grown in the county that 
Mr. Woolsey is not producing in this orchard. 
Seven acres are planted in wine grapes, Muscat, 
Zinfandel, Rose of Peru and other varieties. As 
tending to show the productions and adaptabil- 
ity of this soil, etc., for fruit growing, it is 
worthy of mention that tiie peach crop upon 
this farm in 1888 yielded at a rate of $400 per 
acre. Another remarkable production is fifty 
aci'es in alfalfa, which, with no irrigation, pro- 
duces from two to three crops each year, and 
then afibrds fine pasturage for stock until the 
next season. One of the largest industries of 
this model farm is the breeding of tlioroughbred 
Spanish merino sheep. His flocks average about 
1,000 head, and contain some of the finest 
specimens to be found in the State, as is attested 
by the many first premiums awarded to his 
stock in the difi'erent agricultural fairs of State 
and county. His wool also received the first 
premiums at the Mechanics' Institute fairs in 
1886 and 1887 at San Francisco. Mr. Woolsey 
is also devoting considerable attention to the 
breeding of fine horses and cattle, showing good 
specimens of horses improved by "Dawn," 
" Adventure," and " Electioneer " stock, also 
cattle of Durham blood, and some thorough- 
bred Jerseys. The rest of his laud is devoted 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY . 



to hay, grain and pasture. Mr. Woolsey is an 
enterprising and progressive citizen, greatly in- 
terested in all that aft'ects the well-being of the 
community. He is a strong advocate of churches 
and public schools, and is an elder of the Pres- 
byterian church at Fulton, and the superintend- 
ent of its Sunday-school. In politics, he is a 
strong and consistent Republican, well versed in 
all the political questions that affect the indus- 
tries and interests of State and nation. Mr. 
Woolsey married Miss Martha A. Weeks, the 
daughter of Jonathan Weeks, of New York, and 
granddaughter of George Weeks, of Hempstead, 
Long Island, New York. From this marriage 
there are four children living, viz.: Edward W., 
Louise M., William E., and Frank. William E. 
is residing on the farm and is interested with 
his father in all the farm operations, stock-rais 
ing, and industries before noted. Much of the 
success of these various enterprises is due to his 
intelligent and energetic management. The 
ripe experience, tried, and matured business 
principles of the father combined with the ener- 
getic and industrious qualities of the son has 
made the name of Woolsey & Sou the synonym 
of honor, business integrity and success. They 
are well and favorably known throughout the 
county, and are both firm believers in the future 
prosperity of Sonoma County, and are ever 
ready with time and means to aid in all enter- 
prises that tend to advance the interests and 
welfare of the section in which they reside. 



fRANKLIN SEARS.— In noting the rise 
progress, and present condition of Sonoma 
County, the old pioneers of the days before 
'4:9 are particularly worthy of ^special mention. 
Among the very few of that hardy race now 
(1889) living is the well known gentleman whose 
name standi at the head of this sketch. He has 
been a resident of Sonoma Valley for over forty 
years, and no man now living in this beautiful 
valley has more of the well merited respect and 
esteem than Mr. Sears. A review of his life is of 



interest. Mr. Sears was born in Orange County, 
Indiana, June 28, 1817. He is the son of 
James J', and Jane (Walker) Sears, wlio were 
among the pioneers of that State. His father 
was a native of Tennessee, and his mother of 
Kentucky, and both were dcscendatits of old 
pioneer families of those States. When he was 
ten yearspf age his parents removed to Saline 
County, Missouri, where his father engaged in 
farming and stock-raising, to which occupation 
Mr. Sears was reared, his education in the mean 
time being obtained in the pionetr schools of 
that date. In 1844, Mr. Sears being imbued 
with that spirit of adventure and pioneer daring 
that was so characteristic of liis forefathers, 
started across the then, almost unknown plains 
and mountains for Oregon. This journey was 
successfully accomplislied, and he remained in 
Oregon until the next year when he came to 
California. This was then Mexican territory, 
but the events were rapidly transpiring. which 
were to wrest the land from Mexican dom- 
ination. In 1846 Mr. Sears settled in Sonoma 
County and when Captain Fremont called for 
volunteers he was one of the first to join that 
gallant band, and enlisted as a soldier under 
Captain Gillespie. His service continued until 
the force was disbanded, and afterward in 
1847, he was enrolled under Commodore Stock- 
ton, as one of his Life Guards. At the close of 
hostilities in California, Mr. Sears returned to 
Sonoma County and settled upon his farm, at 
once beginning its cultivation and improvement. 
The long years devoted to this occupation have 
produced wonderful results. The then barren 
waste has during this time been transformed 
into one of the richest and most productive 
farms in Sonoma Valle}'. Mr. Sears' farm con- 
tains 600 acres of productive valley land, lo- 
cated on the west bank of the Sonoma Creek, 
in the Watmaugh school district, about two 
miles southwest of Sonoma. Among the im- 
provements is a vineyard of eighty acres of 
wine grapes of the Zinfandel variety, and a 
magnificent winery with a storage capacity of 
150,000 gallon. Much attention in the years 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



past lias been paid by Mr. Sears to wine making, 
and liis success iias been noticeable. Fifteen 
acres in orchard show tine results also, pro- 
ducing a large variety of the most approved 
fruits grown in the valley. But the greater 
part of the farm is devoted to hay and grain 
and also stock. Among the latter are some tine 
specimens of graded horses, improved by " Nut- 
wood " and " McClelland'" stock. A comfortable 
cottage residence, surrounded by shade trees, 
substantial barns and out-building-^, attest the 
successful farmer. In July, 1851, Mr. Sears 
was united in marriage with Miss Margaret 
Swift, who died August 19, 1888, leaving two 
children: Rachel J., who married Jacob R. 
Snyder (whose sketch appears in this history); 
and Granville C. P. The third child, William 
J., died in 1877. Mr. Sears has now retired 
from the active cares of his farm and resides 
with his daughter, Mrs. Snyder. The large 
farm is therefore uuder the direct control and 
management of his energetic son Granville C. 
P. Sears, to whom is due the credit for its tine 
condition. Granville C. P. Sears married, in 
1879, Miss Mollie P. Walker, daughter of 
Jefferson Walker, of Colusa County, a native of 
Kentucky and one of California's pioneers. 
Buth Mr. Sears and his son are Democratic in 
politics, but liberal in views and conservative in 
political action. Both are also deeply interested 
in the future growth and prosperity of their 
beautiful valley, and are always identitied with 
any enterprise that will develop its resources. 

fCJSEPH CAMPBELL.— The subject of this 
sketch was reared principally in Sullivan 
County, New York. When a mere boy he 
was left entirely on his own resources and 
through his own perseverance and energy was 
able to get a good common school education. 
During the interval of his school days he 
chopped wood and did other farm work in order 
to get sufficient means to defray his expenses. 
Being a natural student his spare moments 



were devoted to the reading of good books such 
as be could obtain, and his last schooling was 
received at an academy, a private school taught 
by a man named Low. Soon after he was 
elected to teach a district school in the com- 
munity, and continued in that occujtation about 
three years. In the fall of 1S52 he sailed for 
California, via Nicaragua, and landed in San 
Francisco. The voyage from Nicaragua was an 
eventful one and full of trials and hardships. 
Fever raged furiously among the passengers and 
crew, the result of which was nineteen deaths, 
and the bodies were thrown overboard. Mr. 
Campbell was one of those stricken down with 
the disease and was almost momentarily ex- 
pected to be the ne.xt one to find a watery grave. 
However, he survived his illness, and shortly 
after arriving in the State proceeded to this 
county, and went up into the redwoods where 
he recovered his health and remained until the 
next spring. He then went back to San Fran- 
cisco, joined a party of United States surveyors, 
went into Yuba County, and remained with 
them in that neighborhood about four months, 
alter which he returned to Sonoma County and 
engaged in farming. Every one was expecting 
big results from the potato crop, as the one of 
the previous year resulted in large profits to the 
grower. This year, however, was quite different 
in the results, as many failed entirely who were 
engaged in this industry. The price paid for 
seed was five cents a ponnd and a team to put 
it in with cost ten dollars a day, besides big 
wages paid for digging and five dollars a ton 
for hauling them to market. After settling up 
the potato part of the year's business Mr. Camp- 
bell had left .§750 paid him by one party the 
next spring. Turning his attention in another 
direction for employment he selected teaming, 
which seemed to' be a profitable business, and 
made a purchase at first of two yoke of oxen 
and a wagon, but after a time got more cattle 
and another wagon. Being at this time in 
debt for everything, after two years of constant 
toil with his oxen, he was able to pay ofl' every 
claim against him, besides having a little money 



UISTUliY OF .SONOMA COUNT Y. 



left. Tlie experience which befell his lot at this 
early day was of such a rugged nature that 
would astonish some of the coining generation 
and would perhaps dampen their prospects if 
they had to pass through anything similar to it. 
Many a night Mr. Campbell has slept under his 
wagon or perhaps secured a night's lodging in 
some friendly shanty that would happen on his 
way, and prepared his meals as best he could in 
those primitive times, and as now only the 
pioneers can understand and appreciate. After 
abandoning the teaming business he again took 
up the vocation of teaching and taught, with 
but little interruption, for about three years, 
the most of the time in Petaluma Township. 
After the varied experiences and occupations 
given above we next find Mr. Campbell em- 
barked in an entirely new enterprise. Going 
to San Francisco he opened a commission house, 
where he carried on a successful business for 
nearly seven years. Disposing of his interests 
there, he returned to Petaluma and engaged in 
the mercantile trade which he has carried on 
ever since, being one of the oldest merchants in 
the city. About 1856 he bought the business 
property where he is now located, and the next 
year commenced to improve it, which he has 
done from time to time as his Inisiness de- 
manded. Mr. Campbell has always taken an 
active interest in the growth and development 
of the city, and especially so in tlie establishing 
and improving of the public buildings of learn- 
ing, and the education of the young. Being 
an old school teacher himself, his ripe expe- 
rience in this respect has been of valuable 
assistance to the city school board of which 
he has been an active and earnest member for 
the past four years. He has been a member 
of the Public Librar}- Association since its or- 
ganization and has held numerous offices in the 
same, in tiie transaction of its business. He 
became an Odd Fellow soon after iiis arrival 
in the State, and lias been a trustee in the 
Petaluma lodge during nearly the whole of his 
residence in the city, also attending largely to 
the business manajrement of tlie Odd Fellows 



Hall Association. Soon after the organization of 
the A. O. U. W. lodge in Petaluma he also 
became a member of that order. Mr. Campbell 
was united in marriage July 20, 1871, to Lucy 
Mann, a native of Ohio, born of English 
parents. They have one son, H. R. Campbell. 

^-^:^-^ . 

fAMES RUSSELL ROSE was born in 
Richland County, Ohio, October 22, 1822. 
He is of Scotch and English descent, his 
ancestors coming to this country in the seven- 
teenth century. Both of his grandfathers were 
veterans in the Revolutionary war, James Hark- 
ness, his mother's father, serving six years and his 
grandfather Russell Rose, who enlisted at tlie 
age of fifteen, served seven years. His father, 
Enos Rose, was born March 31, 1793, in Poult- 
ney, Rutland County, Vermont, and married 
Elizabeth Harkness, who was also a native of that 
State, born January 14, 1797. Their marriage 
was celebrated January 14, 1819, in Springfield, 
Bradford County, Pennsylvania, after which 
they took up their residence in Richland County, 
Ohio, where they remained about eight years. 
They then removed to Bradford Count}^ Penn- 
sylvania, and lived there about the same length 
of time, when they again returned to Ohio. 
They made their home in Huron County, that 
State, the remainder of their lives. The old 
gentleman's death however occurred in Lake 
County, Illinois, in November, 1870. He was 
buried at his old home in Huron County, be- 
side his wife, who died in August, 1855. She 
was the mother of five children, of whom three 
are now living. James Russell, the eldest of 
the living children, made his home with his 
parents until he was twenty-eight years old. 
He was reared on a farm, attended the district 
schools of his neighborhood, served some time 
at milhvrighting under the guidance of his 
fsither, and also at the carpenter's trade. Dur- 
ing his residence in Huron County he put up 
a steam saw-mill of his own and run it for 
about five vcars. until he sold the mill in 1857. 



580 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



lu 1858 he came to California, sailing from 
New York via Panama, and landing in San 
Francisco on the 30th of April. On the same 
day he came to Petaluma. About the iirst of 
Jul}' he went to Bloomlield, and in October 
located in Tomales Township, Marin County, 
where lie successfully followed farming until 
1864, when he disposed of his laud there and 
returned to this county, purchasing his present 
property of 2,200 acres near Lakeville, in 
Vallejo Township. He lived in Petaluma 
about six years, meantime improving his Lake- 
ville farm, and in 1870 made the place his 
home. In the beauty of its location, command- 
ing as it does such an extensive view of the 
surrounding country, it is not to be surpassed. 
With his characteristic energy devoted to the 
culture and improvement of his place he has 
made it one of the model farms of Sonoma 
County. He was one of the first in the county 
to engage in the raising of tine stock. He has 
a tine herd of thoroughbred Devon cattle, and 
his horses are among the best in the county. 
He has in former years made extensive exhibits 
both at the State and county fairs and has 
taken many premiums on his stock which has 
become well known all over the State. Since 
his settlement in the county Mr. Rose has been 
one of the most enterprising of its citizens. 
In the organization of the Sonoma and Marin 
District Agricultural Society he was one of the 
prime movers and its president for the tirst 
three years, and has since been one of its most 
ardent supporters, having since been its presi- 
dent for two years, and contributing much of 
his time and means to its permanent success. 
Every public enterprise for the development of 
the resources of the county, and for the build- 
ing up of the best interests of society, has 
always found him a zealous worker and a hearty 
co-laborer. During the war he heartily endorsed 
the Union cause and gave liberally to the Chris- 
tian and Sanitary Commission for the benefit of 
the sick and wounded of our soldiers, and also 
sent large amounts to be distributed among the 
needy widows and orphans of soldiers of his 



old liome in Ohio. In religious belief he is 
a Baptist and labored assiduously in Petaluma 
for many years to build up that church. Mr. 
Hose was united in marriage to Annie Ken- 
worthy, a native of England, born May 2, 1825. 
Mrs. Rose died at the old home place Decem- 
ber 21, 1882. She was a lovely woman, of 
great grace and dignity of character, and held 
in the highest esteem by all who knew her. 
She will long be remembered by many who 
learned to appreciate the rare qualities of her 
mind and heart in the early days of California 
when all were enduring the trials incident to 
pioneer life. Her helpful hand smoothed many 
a rough way and her influence was that that 
only a refined and good woman's can be. Her 
last days were cheered and comforted by the 
tender care, she so well deserved, of her devoted 
husband and daughters, and now has left them 
to cherish the precious memory of a faithful 
and devoted wife and mother. She was a mem- 
ber of the Baptist church of Petaluma, first 
uniting with the church in Ohio, in 1857. She 
was the mother of two children, Anna E. and 
Florence L. 



mON. JOHN GOTEA PRESSLEY, who is 
|M] one of the judges of the Superior Court 
^^ of Sonoma County, was born in Williams- 
burg district (now county). South Carolina, on 
the 24th of May, 1833. His parents were John 
B. and Sarah (Gotea) Pressley, both "na- 
tives and to the manor born," and of anctstry 
identified for generations with the history of 
South Carolina. His father was a successful 
planter of Williamsburg district and a man of 
great personal worth and social influence. The 
son enjoyed the advantages of early moral and 
religious training, and, after a preparatory course 
in the country schools of the neighborhood, re- 
ceived an appointment in January, 1848, to the 
State Military Academy at Charleston — an in- 
stitution whose system and course of instruction 
was very similar to that of West Point. lie 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



581 



graduated in November, 1851. The career of 
young Pressley at the " Citadel Academy," as 
it was generally known, was marked by rigid 
truthfulness, manly self-respect, diligence in 
study and a conscientious observance of the 
stringent military rules and regulations of the 
institution. While a cadet he was, in the year 
1850, detailed to act as assistant professor of 
mathematics, and at his graduation, in 1851, he 
ranked fourth in a class of twenty-six, and held 
the command of one of the companies of the 
Cadet Corps. From the military academy he 
entered as a student of law the office of his 
kinsman, B. C. Pressley, Esq., then one of the 
leading members of the bar of Charleston, and 
now an honored circuit judge of the State, 
where, under the guidance of this relative and 
friend, he pursued his studies until February, 
1854. By a special dispensation of the Court 
of Appeals of South Carolina he was accorded 
an examination in May, 1854, while still under 
ao-e, and received his commission as attorney 
upon attaining his majority a few weeks after- 
ward. He was the only law student ever ac- 
corded an examination by that court under the 
age of twenty-one. He immediately opened a 
law office at Kingstree, the county seat of 
"Williamsburg district, and entered upon the 
practice of his profession, which he pui'sued 
with diligence and STiccess in the districts of 
Williamsburg, Marion, Darlington, Georgetown 
and Clarendon until January, 1861, when the 
war destroyed his lucrative and growing busi- 
ness and literally closed the doors of his office 
for five years. In those early years of his pro- 
fessional life, he represented his district in the 
Legislature of the State during the sessions of 
1858 and 1859, being the youngest member ex- 
cept one in the Lower House, and assistant 
cashier of that body. This of itself attests the 
influence which he had acquired and the confi- 
dence in his judgment and fidelity which he 
had inspired in the constituency that was noted 
for selecting its best citizens for positions of 
public trust. Tiien came the war. Of his 
participation in the great strife, no sketch of 



his life would be complete without some men- 
tion. From the commencement until its disas- 
trous end, he gave himself up unselfishly and 
wholly to the cause of the South and rendered 
it loyal and efficient service. He entered the 
military service in January, 1861, as captain of 
infantry, and rose to the rank of Lieutenant- 
Colonel of the Twenty-fifth Regiment, South 
Carolina Volunteers, and commanded that regi- 
ment almost continuously and with marked 
ability and gallantry until the end of the war. 
His regiment experienced hard and dangerous 
service and was engaged in some of the most 
desperate and destructive conflicts of the war, 
in otie of which, near Petersburg, in 1864, he 
himself received a dangerous wound from the 
effects of which he still carries a partially dis- 
abled arm. The war over, he honestly and 
witli patient submission accepted in good faith 
the situation. In January, 1866, he reoperied 
his law office at Kingstree and resumed the 
practice of his profession. At the annual ses- 
sion of the Legislature for that year (under the 
reconstruction plan of President Johnson) he 
was elected district judge of Williamsburg dis- 
trict, but on account of the inadequacy of the 
salary, declined to qualify. He maintained the 
struggle against the adverse influences of the 
"reconstruction" period until weary of the un- 
equal strife, discouraged concerning the future 
outlook, and having regard for the interest of his 
family, he sought a haven and a home for them 
on the Paciflc coast. He arrived in California 
on the 24th of April, 1869, via the Isthmus of 
Panama, and took uji his residence first in 
Suisun, Solano County, and opened his law 
office there and afterward at Fairfield, the county 
seat. It should be remembered to the credit of 
the people of California that in spite of their 
extreme devotion to the Union, and notwith- 
standing their strong sectional ])rejudices en- 
gendered by the war, they never failed to extend 
a hearty welcome to atiy worthy Southerner who 
came among them with the honest ])urpose of 
making a home in this much blessed land of 
plenty, beauty and pleasantness. The people 



HI STORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



of Solano County soon began to appreciate tlie 
sterling worth of the stranger who liad come 
among them without friends and unknown, and 
to recognize in John G. Pressle}' a valuable ac- 
cession to their county. His ability and fidelity 
as a lawyer becoming known, business came to 
him, and a lucrative law practice was the result. 
He became the city attorney of Suisun and 
held this position three years and until his re- 
moval to Santa Rosa. In January, 1873, he 
moved to Sonoma County, and took up his 
residence in Santa Rosa, where he formed a co- 
partnership with Judge A. Thomas, an old and 
respected citizen and able lawyer. In the fall 
of 1S73 he became the city attorney of Santa 
Rosa, and at the judicial election in 1875, after 
a residence of less than three years in the 
county, he was elected county judge of Sonoma 
County. From this time until January, 1880, 
he continued upon the bench of the county 
court, and at the same time practiced at the bar 
of the district court and engaged as counsel in 
some of the most important civilcases tried in the 
county. The constitution of 1879 reorganized 
the judicial system of the State, abolishing the 
district and county courts and substituting for 
thein a Superior Court for each county. At the 
lirst election in Sonoma County under the new 
system, John G. Pressley and Jackson Temple 
were elected judges of the new court and took 
their seats on the 1st of January, 1880. The 
wisdom of this selection has been justified by 
the able and efficient services of these judges, 
who have justly earned for Sonoma County 
the reputation of having one of the best, if not 
the very best, Superior Court in the State. Both 
of these judges were re-elected in 1884. Judge 
Temple has since been removed to the bench of 
the Supreme Court of this State, a position 
which he honors. Judge Pressley still adorns 
the Superior Court bench, universally esteemed 
for his great personal worth and faithful public 
services. Judge Pressley is emphatically a 
})opular man. He is always and under all cir- 
cumstances courteous, genial, considerate and 
kind, a warm friend and a charming companion. 



Upon the bench he presides with grace and 
dignity, without severity. He is always a 
willing and attentive listener. He is as prompt 
and positive in his rulings as is consistent with 
due deliberation and prudent care. When the 
occasion calls for it, he is patient and laborious. 
In legal knowledge he is well equipped. In 
method he is systematic. In action he is de- 
cisive and firm. In judgment he is cool and 
impartial. His decisions have rarely been re- 
versed by the Supreme Court. In religion. 
Judge Pressley is and has for many years been 
an earnest and zealous Baptist, but not a nar- 
row sectarian. In every walk of life his Chris- 
tian faith, generous, genial temper, and courteous 
manner, adorn a character marked by purity of 
mind, truthfulness and sincerity of purpose, 
fidelity to principle and love and cliarit}' for 
men. In February, 1854, Judge Pressley mar- 
ried Miss Julia C. Burekmyer, daughter of 
Cornelius Burekmyer, a prominent merchant of 
Charleston, South Caiolina. She has shared 
with him the ups and downs of an active, event- 
ful life, and still remains the faithful companion 
and comfort of his quiet domestic life. To 
them have been born ten children, six of whom 
survive and are residents of California. 



fETER HOLST, of Mendocino Township, 
has a ranch of 172 acres, on the west side 
of Dry Creek, four miles from Healds- 
burg. He has thirty-five acres in grapes, which 
range in age from four to twenty years. They 
are mostly Zinfandel and Riesling, with some 
Mission and a few Cabernet Sauvignon and 
Mataro. His winery, which is 30x44 feet in 
area, was erected in 1884, and the storage capa- 
city is 16,000 gallons. He makes from 8,000 
to 10,000 gallons per year, all white wines and 
clarets. His wine has an excellent reputation, 
as he thoroughly understands the business, and 
gives his personal supervision to the manufact- 
ure. The portion of the ranch not in vineyard 
is devoted to general farming. Peter Hoist is 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



a native of Germany, born in Schleswig-IIol- 
stein, April 17, 1847, his parents being Peter 
and Anna (Johannsen) Hoist, the iath.er a shoe- 
maker. Mr. Hoist attended school for nine 
and a half years from the age of six, and then 
farmed for a time. In 1869 he came to Amer- 
ica, sailing from Hamburg to New York City, 
where he remained five years, employed in a 
packing house. From there he went to Naug- 
atuck, Connecticut, where he was engaged as 
a wheelwright for two years. He then came to 
California, and in 1877 located where he now 
resides. He has made about all the improve- 
ments on the place since that time. He was 
married in New York City to Miss Caroline 
Thomsen, also a native of Schleswig-Holstein. 
They have four children: Annie, Mary, Charles 
and George. Politically, Mr. Hoist is a Demo- 
crat. 



-Sm^ 



«LAUS MEYER, of Washington Town- 
ship, has a ranch of sixty-five acres, on 
the Healdsburg and Geyserville road, a 
mile and a half south of the last named place. 
He moved on the ranch in 1879 and in 1881 
became its owner by purchase. He now has 
thirty-five acres in vines, which range in age 
from three to eight years, and nearly all in bear- 
ing. They are Zinfandel, Riesling, Charbenau, 
Burgundy, Golden Chasselas, Cabernet Sauvig- 
non, all choice varieties of wine grapes. In 
fruit he has about 300 trees, planted in 1885, 
and consisting of apples, pears and prunes. His 
winery, which was built in 1886, has an area of 
38 X 54 feet, with walls of stone eighteen 
inches thick. The stoiage capacity approxi- 
mates 30,000 gallons, which is augmented by 
the use of a barn for the same purpose. The 
vintage of 1888 was about 40,000 gallons. His 
wine has an excellent reputation and commands 
a ready sale. Claus Meyer is a native of Ger- 
many, born at Helmeste, three miles from 
Hamburg, March 24, 1849, his parents being 
Peter and Rebecca (Elders) Meyer. He attended 



school from the age of six to fourteen years, 
then followed farm work until 1S73. June 27 
of that year he sailed from Hamburg, bound 
for New York. After spending about three 
years employed in nurseries thirty-five miles 
from Sing Sing, and at Morrisiana, he came to 
California. He obtained work in the nursery 
business at Oakland, which engaged his atteii 
tion most of the time until he came to Sonoma 
County. He was married in San Francisco to 
Miss Anna Lohsen, of Heyerhofen, nearPever- 
stedt, Germany. They have two children, Lillie 
and Ernest. Mr. Meyer is a man of strict busi- 
ness principles, and is making a success of the 
wine and grape industry. 



¥m- 



ILLIAM L. KNAPP.— The subject of 

I this sketch is among the well-known 
men and representative farmers of 
Santa Rosa Township. He is the owner of 320 
acres of rich and productive land, located at the 
northwest corner of the Santa Rosa and Ful- 
ton and Redwood roads, in the Piner school dis- 
trict, five miles northwest of Santa Rosa, and 
one and three-fourth miles south of Fulton. 
Eighty acres of his land are devoted to the 
production of wine grapes of the Zinfandel, 
Golden Chasselas, Riesling and Beryer varie- 
ties. He also raises table grapes of several 
varieties, among which are the Rose of Peru, 
Flaming Tokay and Muscat. A tine orchard of 
thirty acres is producing apples, peaches, plums, 
French prunes and other fruit. The rest of his 
land is devoted to the production of hay, grain 
and stock-raising. Mr. Knapp was born in 
Rochester, Monroe County, New York, in 1828. 
His father, Jonas Knapp, was also a native 
of that State. His mother, Mary (Whittaker) 
Knapp, was born in Pennsylvania. His father 
was a farmer, to which calling Mr. Knapp was 
reared until the age of eighteen years. Dur- 
ing this time he attended the public schools. 
After leaving school he engaged as a clerk in a 
grocery store in Rochester, and continued that 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



occupation until 1852. January 1st, of that 
year he left New York via the Nicaragua route 
for California, arriving in San Francisco Febru- 
ary 5, of the same year. There he engaged as 
a teamster. Wages were good and Mr. Knapp 
by his industry and constant labor was soon able 
to purchase horses and a dray, and start in life 
upon his own account. He continued liis oc- 
cupation as a drayman and teamster until 1859. 
He then went to Santa Cruz County, and for 
the next four years was engaged as a foreman 
and superintendent in the loading of lumber 
into vessels bound for San Francisco and otlier 
ports. In 1863 he engaged in prospecting and 
mining, lirst locating in Nevada, wliere he was 
engaged for the ne.xt two years. He then 
spent one year in Idaho. From there he went 
to Montana, where he was engaged in the 
same calling for the next three years. The next 
four years he spent in Utah and Nevada. In 
1873 he came to Sonoma County and took up 
his residence at Petaluma. He was married in 
Nevada to Miss Mary A. Burnett, the daughter 
of Colonel John S. Burnett, one of the early 
pioneers of Oregon, and a soldier of the war of 
1812. The next year, in 1871:, he purchased 
his present residence. Since that time Mr. 
Knapp has devoted his time to agricultural pur- 
suits. Mr. Knapp, by his industrious and ener- 
getic habits, and sound business principles, lifts 
achieved a success in his calling, and is building 
up one of the model farms of the county. He 
is a strong believer in the prosperity and- 
future wealth of Sonoma County, and is always 
ready to aid in every enterprise which he thinks 
will advance the interests and welfare of his sec- 
tion. Only one child, "William D., has blessed 
the union of Mr. and Mrs. Knapp. 



fHARLES C. CHAMPLIN was born in 
Alexander, Genesee County, New York, 
March 30, 1812. His father, John Champ- 
lin, was a native of Rhode Island, and his 
mother, Osterhaus, was born in New 



York. Mr. Champlin was reared as a farmer 
upon the farm of his father, and received such 
an education as the common schools of that 
date afforded. His parents moved to Illinois 
in 1834, where they resided until their death at 
a ripe old age. In 1835 Mr. Champlin moved 
to Illinois and located in Will County, where he 
engaged in farming and stock-growing. In 
1838 he was united in tnarriage with Miss 
Sarah Ann Bartlett, the daughter of Robert 
and Versallias S. (Newton) Bartlett, who were 
natives of Connecticut. The subject of this 
sketch continued his farming operations in Illi- 
nois until February, 1853, when he started over- 
land by ox teams for the Golden State. This 
long and toilsome journey across the plains, 
deserts and mountains was accomplished in due 
course of time, without more than the usual 
discomforts attending a journey of that charac- 
ter. Upon his arrival in California he located 
in Solano County, near Suisun, where he pur- 
chased land and entered upon farming and stock- 
growing. Mr. Champlin remained in that county 
until October, 1856. In that year he removed 
to Sonoma County, and located upon a tract of 
land on what is now the Sonoma and Petaluma 
road, in the AYatmaugh school district, about 
four miles southwest of Sonoma, and there es- 
tablished a dairy, and also engaged in general 
farming. He still resides upon that tract of 
land, but has changed somewhat his occupation, 
for, finding the cares of a dairy farm too bur- 
densome, he has of late years devoted his atten- 
tion more to general farming. His present farm 
comprises 274 acres, 100 acres of which are de- 
voted to hay and grain. Ten acres are in or- 
chard, producing pears, apples, quinces, peaches, 
apricots, plums, etc., showing that the climate 
and soil are well adapted for fruit culture. With 
the exception of a small family vineyard, the 
rest of his land is devoted to the pasturage of 
stock, among which are 125 head of Southdown 
sheep, and such horses and cattle as are needed 
for farm purposes. He has some fine specimens 
of Clydesdale and Morgan horses, of which he 
is justly proud. The subject of this sketch has 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



been a resident of Sonoma County for more 
tlian thirty years, and during tliat time he has 
gained many friends, by all of whom he is 
greatly esteemed and respected for his manly 
qualities and straightforward course of life. Al- 
though fast approaching four-score years of age 
he is still hale and hearty and in the full pos- 
session of all his mental faculties. In politics, 
he is Republican, taking a lively interest in the 
political questions of the day. From the mar- 
riage of Mr. and Mrs. Champlin there are now 
(1888) living the following named children: 
Emmo Sophia, who married Samuel J. Agnew 
(a sketch of whom appears in this work); Asa- 
hel Warner, who married Miss Addie Park, of 
San Francisco; he is residing on the old home- 
stead, and his wife is the matron of the State 
Insane Asylum at Agnew, Santa Clara County, 
and Mary Louisa, who married Charles Pressey, 
and is now residing in Washingtun Territory. 



fEORGE HALL, Superior Court reporter 
of Sonoma County, has been in California 
since the winter of 1861. He came to 
Sonoma County the day President Lincoln was 
assassinated in April, 1865. He taught school 
in different parts of the county three years, and 
in the meantime studied short-hand and law, 
being admitted to the practice in 1868. He 
then went to San Francisco. Up to the winter 
of 18G7-'68 there was no provision for steno- 
graphic reporters for county courts; and Mr. 
Hall, conceiving the idea that they as well as the 
district courts ought to have them, went into 
the Legislature that winter with a bill, prepared 
by himself, authorizing county courts to employ 
reporters, and the bill became a law. He went 
to San Francisco with very strong recommenda- 
tions from the bench and bar of Sonoma County, 
and was appointed by Judge E. W. McKinstry 
reporter for his court, the county court of San 
Francisco. Judge McKinstry was subsequently 
elected district judge, and Mr. Hall followed 
him there. Whcii Judge McKinstry was 



elected Supreme Judge, Mr. Hall was relieved 
by his successor, and was appointed to this flis- 
trict by Judge W. C. Wallace. He then came 
to Santa Rosa, but his home remained in San 
Francisco until this district was divided and he 
was appointed to the District Court by Judge 
Jackson TemplCj and to the County Conrt by 
Judge Pressley. He then, 1877, moved to 
Santa Rosa. Upon the adoption of the new 
constitution he was appointed reporter for both 
departments of the Superior Court of Sonoma 
County, which he has since filled. Mr. Hall is 
a native of New York City. When in his teens 
he left home for California, sailing on board of 
a clipper ship, before the mast, consuming 120 
days en route. Arriving in San Francisco he 
went to Oregon, where he remained three years, 
and there taught his first school. He left that 
country on account of the extreme wet weather 
in winter. Mr. Hall is serving his third term 
as a member of the city board of education, 
and is secretary of the board. He is a member 
of the Masonic order, K. of P., A. O. U. W., 
and Knigiits of Honor, and has passed through 
the chairs of the three latter orders. Mrs. Hall 
was formerly Miss Flora McDonald, a native of 
Sonoma County, to whom Mr. Hall was married 
in 1878. Since their marriage she has studied 
and mastered stenography, and is deputy ofiicial 
court reporter, reporting in one department 
when both are in session. Mr. Hall is conceded 
to be one of the most efiicient stenographers on 
this coast, and in his years of practice has orig- 
inated many new and improved features in re- 
porting difi'ering from those laid down in the 
books. 



PRANK TURNER MAYNARD. —Cali- 
fornia owns no prouder or more honorable 
names among her citizens than the Argo- 
nauts — the men of '49, who risking everything, 
even life itself, landed upon her then wild shores 
and founded deep and wide the basis upon 
which she has since reared her wonderful ad- 



586 



HI STOUT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



vanceraent and prosperity. Hence it is tliat we 
never feel any hesitation in presenting the name 
of one of tliose men — too much cannot be said 
about them. Among this honorable listinPeta- 
luma is found prominently that of the gentle- 
man whose name heads this sketch. He was 
born in Lyme, Connecticut, April 26, 1832. 
Five years later he went with his parents to 
Conneaut, Ohio, and resided there, attending 
school and giving his extra time to work on his 
father's farm, until 1840, when he went to Madi- 
son, Indiana, and there learned the drug busi- 
ness in the establishment of his brother. In 
1845 he accepted a position with the drug 
house of G. W. Norton at Lexington, Ken- 
tucky, where he remained for four years. Upon 
the news of the discovery of gold in Califor- 
nia flying over the land, he formed one of a 
company of young men who styled themselves 
the Kentucky and Ca-lifornia Company. They 
prepared the materials for a large hotel build- 
ing, which they shipped along with themselves 
and personal baggage upon the Andalusia, which 
sailed from Baltimore, Maryland, April 22,1849, 
and arrived in San Francisco September 27 of 
the same year, the monotony of the voyage be- 
ing broken by a stop of a week at Valparaiso to 
revictual. Upon reaching San Francisco they 
erected their hotel on the corner of Kearney and 
Pacific streets, named it the "Graham House," 
and it became at once the most fashionable, as 
it was the finest hotel in town, having all the 
distinguished men of early days as guests. In 
June, 1850, the hotel was purchased by the city, 
to be used as a city hall, for the sum of $150,- 
000. The terrible conflagration that swept over 
San Francisco two years later utterly destroyed 
it. xVfter the sale of the hotel Mr. Maynard 
occupied himself, with the exception of the year 
1853, which he spent on a visit to the East, in 
speculation and the investment of money until in 
1861 he decided to come to Petaluma and estab- 
lish a drug business. From that day to this he 
has carried on what is considered the leading 
business in his line, and has a handsome and 
well ordered establishment on ^lain street that 



would be a credit to any metropolitan city, and 
affords a creditable example of enterprise and 
correct business principles. The high personal 
popularity enjoyed b}' him and the confidence 
reposed in him is most clearly shown from the fact 
that he was city treasurer for a period of some 
eight years, and has li^ld the important otticeof 
a member of the board of education for this city 
continuously for over twenty-six years. It is 
admitted on all hands that Petaluma is excep- 
tionally favored in school matters, having large 
fine buildings and eflicient teachers in all depart- 
ments. A full description of these departments 
is given elsewhere. Mr. Maynard was married 
in 1860 to Miss Mary A. Hoyer in San Fran- 
cisco. They have three living children: Harry 
H., Eva E. and Grace Kussell. 

iD , , SI 

'°'-4-3"t-^'-^ 



fULIUS WEGENER.— There is no portion 
of Sonoma County that has so large a pro- 
portion of tlie German element among its 
representative business men and farmers and 
particularly among tlie wine producers as So- 
noma Valley. These energetic and skilled men 
of German birth brought to the iiew counti-y 
the experience of years in wine making acquired 
at home, and, as all other enterprises where 
skill is required, it has brought forth good re- 
sults. The gentleman, whose name heads this 
sketch, is justly entitled to mention in connec- 
tion with the wine industry of the vallej*. He 
is the owner of ninety-seven and one-half acres 
of vineyard lands, located among the hills about 
one mile west of Glen Ellen, in the Glen Ellen 
school district. Forty-five acres of this land 
have for years been producing wine grapes of 
the Zinfandel variety, which he has skillfully 
manufactured into first-class wine. Coming to 
the place in 1868, when the land was almost in 
the state nature had decreed, he commenced a 
vigorous clearing and cultivation, making the 
necessary building improvements as required. 
His success has been remarkable. A substan- 
tial cottage residence, large barns, etc . and a 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



perfectly appointed M'inery and wine cellars are 
some of the noticeable results of bis efforts. 
Mr. Wegener's winery and cellars have a capac- 
ity of 30,000 gallons and he manufactures to 
the full capacity every year, procuring grapes 
from his neighbors whenever the supply from 
his own vineyard proves inadequate. In con- 
nection with his winery, he has a distillery for 
the making of brandy. Although not as exten- 
sive as many others in the valley, he has one of 
the best ordered establishments to be found. 
His wines are always first-class and find ready 
sale. In addition to his wine industry he de- 
votes some attention to the cultivation of a large 
variety of fruits, including lemons and oranges, 
having about five acres devoted to this purpose. 
The rest of his land is ustd in pasturing stock 
and in producing hay. Among his stock are 
graded cattle, improved with Durham and Jer- 
sey stock. Mr. Wegener was born in Germany, 
October 24, 1840. He emigrated to the United 
States, and, soon after his arrival in New York, 
came to California and located in Sonoma 
County, where he purchased the land before de- 
scribed and took up his present residence. In 
addition to managing and improving his farm, 
Mr. Wegener has also been engaged in other 
occupations. From 1872 to 1882 he was the 
efficient superintendent of the ranch of Colonel 
George F. Hooper. He has a large circle of 
friends and acquaintances in Sonoma County, 
and by his consistent course of life and honest 
business transactions he has gained the respect 
of all who know liim. In political matters he 
is a Republican, but is liberal in his views. In 
1882 Mr. Wegener married Mrs. Mary Boyle. 
Mrs. Wegener has two children, Mary and 
Katie Boyle, by her former marriage, who are 
members of the Wegener family. 

f OLSON BPwOTIIERS are among the en- 
terprising men of Mendocino Township. 
John and Ale.x Colson have a ranch 
of 240 acres west of Dry Creek and about four 



miles from Ilealdsburg by the road. They have 
forty acres in wine grapes, mostly Zinfandel. 
The rest of the place, except that which is in 
timber, is devoted to general farming purpo.-es. 
In 1884 they established the wine-making in- 
dustry on the ]ilace. The winery is 72x48 feet 
in ground area, and two stories in height. They 
have the best machinery for their business, and 
employ the most approved methods of manufact- 
uring wine, making annually from 25,000 to 
30,000 gallons and having a storage capacity for 
30,000 gallons. Alex Colson, of this firm, 
is a native of France, born April 8, 1834, and 
of John I'aptiste and Frances (Disset) Col- 
son. The father was a farmer and vineyardist, 
who was engaged to some extent in wine- 
making. Alex Colson grew to manhood in 
his native country, and in 1854 sailed from 
Havre on the steamship Cat rick, bound for New 
Oi'leans, at which port he arrived after a voyage 
of forty-nine days. He then proceeded up the 
Mississippi River to St. Louis, and from there 
to Keokuk, Iowa. In the latter place he 
learned the tinsmith's trade. In 1858 he came 
to California via Panama, landing at San Fran- 
cisco from the steamer General Stephens. 
After remaining in the city five months, he 
went to the mines and was in the region of 
Marysville, Oroville, Yerka and Siskiyou for 
three years, working at his trade and mining. 
He then returned to San Francisco, but soon 
after went to Solomon mines, where he remained 
from March 9th to August 4th, then returned 
to San Francisco again and opened a tin shop. 
He was thus engaged until 1870, at which time 
he came to Sonoma County and entered into 
partnership with George Block in the wine 
business, and was thus associated until 1884, 
when the firm of Colson Brothers commenced 
operations. John B. Colson, of the firm of Col- 
son Brothers, is a native of France, born in de- 
partment of Haute-Saone, February 9, 1839. 
He was reared there and followed farming in 
his native country. In 1868 he sailed from 
Brest to New York, and from there proceeded 
to San Francisco in the fall of the same year. 



HISTORY OF SOXOMA COUNT r. 



In May, 1869, he came to Sonoma County, and 
has been associated with liis brother Alex 
since that time, in ranciiing, and in the wine 
business since 1884. He was married in San 
Francisco to Miss Mary Pedenet, a native of 
France. In polities he is a Democrat. Nicho- 
las Colson, another brother, has a ranch near by, 
but is not associated in the wine business. He 
was born in the old family home in France, Jan- 
uary 2, 1828, and was there reared until he had 
reached the age of twenty years. On the 16th 
of March, 1848, he sailed from Havre to Kew 
York, at whicli port he arrived after a vo^-age of 
thirty-seven days. He remained in the city one 
week, then went to Massachusetts, and iifteen 
months later to Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. 
After being engaged in the latter place four and 
a-half years in a saw-mill, he went to Texas. 
He next spent four months in New Orleans, six 
months in Nauvoo, Illinois, three years in Keo- 
kuk. Iowa, and six years in Van Buren County, 
Iowa. From the last named place he started 
across the plains with a wagon train, via the 
Salt Lake route. At Reece liiver he stopped 
two and a-lialf years and then continued his 
journey by stage to California. Mr. Colson re- 
sided in San Francisco four months, then rented 
a farm in Marin County, and in the fall of 1869 
took up the place where he now resides, adjoin- 
ing his brothers. On this ranch he has a fine 
vineyard, six acres being in Zinfandel grapes 
and. four acres in Missions. Mr. Colson's wife, 
a native of Germany, was formerly Miss Louisa 
Peper. Like his brothers, Mr. Colson affiliates 
with the Democratic party. 



fOHN BAILIFF. — Among the prominent 
pioneers of Sonoma County is the subject 
of this sketch. A residence of nearly forty 
years, during which time he has been closely 
identified with many interests tending to build 
up the county, has made him well known. A 
brief resume of his histoi'y is of interest and is 
herewith given. Mr. Bailifl" was born on the 



Isle of Man, St. George's Channel, England, 
in 1824. His father, Abraham Bailiff, was a na- 
tive of France, and his mother, whose family 
name was Brown, was a native of the Isle of 
Man. Until the age of sixteen years he at- 
tended school, and by close application to his 
studies obtained a good education. At that age 
he was apprenticed to the trade of a carpenter 
and joiner, at which he served for four years, 
and afterward worked as a journeyman until 
1848. He then embarked in the ship Etui's 
Queen for the United States. This ill-fated 
ship was plague stricken upon her long passage. 
She was crowded with passengers, and the dread- 
ful fever swept away nearly half of the jjassen- 
gers and crew before reaching New Orleans, the 
port of her destination. Mr. Bailiff escaped 
from the ravages of the disease while upon the 
voyage, but shortly after his arrival in New Or- 
leans he was stricken down and for two months 
was an inmate of the hospital at that place. 
Upon his recovery he engaged at his trade as a 
carpenter, and was in the employ of the United 
States Government in constructing hospital 
buildings for the returning veterans of the 
Mexican war. In the fall of 1848 he went to 
Vera Cruz, Mexico, and there engaged in his 
calling until the next spring. Tiien came the 
news of the wonderful gold mines of California. 
This gold fever fired his ambition, and he joined 
a company of twelve others, who, like himself, 
were mechanics, and started across Mexico for 
San Bias. Being well supplied with money, 
they easilY overcame the many obstacles attend- 
ing such a journey at that period, and after 
about a month of travel over mule trails, arrived 
safe at San Bias. Here his party, augmented 
by quite a Humber of emigrants seeking the new 
El Dorado, purchased a schooner and embarked 
for San Francisco. But this was destined to 
end in disaster. The first night out of port a 
severe storm, accompanied by vivid lightning 
and terrific thunder, swept over the sga. Their 
vessel was struck by lightning, which shivered 
and broke the masts, rent and destroyed the 
sails and rigging, and left the hull at the mercy 



UIHTOHY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



of the waves. Many of tlie passengers and crew 
were stricken down by the electrical bolts, l)ut ! 
all recovered except the Mexican servant of j 
Colonel McAlpine. Tiie next morning the for- j 
tunate arrival of a steamer relieved theia from 
their dangerous position, and they were taken 
from the schooner and landed in San Bias. Mr. 
Bailiff considers this disaster almost as an inter- ; 
position of Diviiie Providence in preventing a 
greater one had the vessel proceeded on her way. 
In littincr up and provisioning the schooner in 
San Bias, a German was employed as supercargo. 
He was a master uf the Spanish language and 
familiar with the port. He reported the vessel 
fully provisioned, but just before sailing he was 
missing or had deserted. H was known after 
the wreck of the vessel that there were only a 
few days provisions and water on board. Had ■ 
the vessel put to sea the provisions and water 
would have been exhausted before a third of the 
voyage was completed. The vessel was crowded, 
and what their sufferings might have been 
under such circumstances, is fearful to contem- 
plate. Shortly after their return to San Bias, 
they secured a vessel from Mazatlan, and the 
second time embarked for San Francisco, at 
which place they arrived in August, 1849. 
Skilled labor at that time commanded almost 
fabulous wages, and Mr. Bailiff wisely con- 
cluded to take the certainties of large wages 
rather than the uncertainties of mining. He 
therefore went to Benicia and entered the em- . 
ploy of the United States government as a 
carpenter in the construction of military 
barracks. In November of the same year, at 
the government barracks, a company was 
formed of thirty mechanics and others, to build 
a mill in Scmonia County, located near what 
is now Freestone, and in honor to William 
Blume, proprietor of the mill-site, named it the 
Blumedale saw-mill. The company was formed 
with Charles McDerrnott as president and Mr. 
Bailiff as secretary. The company, man}' of 
whom like Mr. Bailiff, were skilled mechanics, 
erected a mill i>poti the land of Mr. Blume, in 
whose honor the company was named. A fine 



twelve horse power steam engine was purchased 
at a cost of $20,000 and brought to this i)lace. 
Lumber at that time was §300 per thousand, 
and the enterprise was a success. Engaged in 
this enterprise and at work at the mill were 
many who have since become well known 
throughout the county and State. Among them 
may be mentioned Charles McDermott, Joshua 
Hendey, Samuel Duncan (now of Duncan's 
Mills), deceased; Thomas Smith (now of Valley 
Ford), also Mr. McKnight and Mr. Hobbs. In 
1852 the price of lumber was so depreciated 
that the enterprise did not pay. The mill was 
therefore sold and the company disbanded. 
The engine was then taken by its purchasers to 
the north fork of the American River, by Mr. 
Duncan and Mr. Hendey, and used in the estab- 
lishment of the well-known Duncan's Mills. 
After the disbanding of the mill company Mr. 
Bailiff took up laud on the Laguna, north of 
what is now Sebastopol, and in partnership with 
Mr. James Hayward, entered into stock-raising. 
Mr. Hayward took charge of the stock ranch, 
while Mr. Bailiff engaged in building. He was 
employed in the erection of many buildings for 
the Mexican residents, receiving his pay in 
cattle, which he sent to the ranch. By this 
means his stock enterprise soon assumed large 
proportions, It is worthy of note that the first 
frame house that was ever constructed in the 
now thriving city of Santa Rosa, was built by 
Mr. Bailiff". In 1859 lie purchased from Cap- 
tain Cooper 380 acres of land on the east side 
of the Laguna, about eight miles west of Santa 
Rosa, in what is now the Russian River school 
district, and there entered into farming opera- 
tions and stock-growing. He afterward in- 
creased his land holdings to 609 acres, but in 
1886 sold 160 acres, which leaves him his 
present fine farm of 449 acres. Since 1859 Mr. 
Bailiff' has devoted himself principally to stock- 
raising and agricultural pursuits. He has made 
extensive improvements upon his lands. At 
present he has a magnificent vineyard of 135 
acres in extent, producing wine grapes of the 
Ziufaudel variety; also fifteen acres of orchard, 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUA'Tr. 



containing a large variety of fruit, among which 
are apples, pears, French prunes, and apricots. 
The rest of his land is devoted to hay, grain and 
stock. Among the latter are 400 head of Span- 
ish Merino sheep and 100 hogs. Cattle and 
horses are also raised, but generally only such 
as are required for his farm operations. Mr. 
Bailiff' has erected on his farm a beautiful cot- 
tage residence, in which he has combined the 
conveniences and many of the luxuries that 
characterize a well ordered home. Commodious 
and well adapted out-buildings attest tiie suc- 
cess which he is attaining in his farm and stock 
operations. In addition to the large interests 
Mr. Bailiff has in tliis county, he is also the 
owner of 4,000 acres of land in the southern 
part of Humboldt County, near Biocksburg. 
This land is devoted to sheep-raising. Mr. Bai- 
liff is widely known throughout the county, and 
during his long residence has always been inter- 
ested in its growth and development. Public- 
spirited and enterprising, he has been a strong 
supporter of all enterprises which in his opinion 
tend to advance the welfare of the community 
in which he resides. Me is a liberal and con- 
servative Republican, taking an intelligent 
interest in all political questions of the day. 
His interest in the jniblic schools has induced 
him to accept the office of school trustee of his 
district, but aside from that he has never 
desired, nor has he held any office. In 18(56 
Mr. Bailiff married Miss Jeanetta Ladd, the 
daughter of John and Margaret Ladd, residents 
of Sonoma County. They have two children liv- 
ing, viz.: Geranie and John D. Geranie mar- 
ried Charles Dillon, and they are now (1888) 
living in Fresno County. 



-s=^-' 



fEORGE T. ESPEY is a descendant of one 
: uf the earliest settlers of Tennessee. His 
^ grandfather, Alexander Espey, was one of 
the lirst to locate where now stands the thriving 
city of Nashville, and was one of the builders 
of the block-house at that place, which was so 



necessary for protection from the Indians. His 
father, John Espey, was born at that place. The 
subject of this sketch was born in Tennessee 
December 15, 1829. His mother, Catherine 
(Wright) Espey, was a native of Virginia. Mr. 
Espey's father was a carpenter and cabinet- 
maker. In 1838 he moved with his family to 
Missouri, where he remained till 1842 or 1843, 
when he located in Jackson County and com- 
menced farming and stock-raising. There the 
subject of this sketch was reared and taught 
the practical duties of farm life, being early 
inured to hard labor and receiving but a limited 
education. He remained on his father's farm 
until 1852, when he started across the plains 
for California. He drove an ox team nearly the 
whole distance, and after months of toil and 
weary journeying arrived in California, and in 
the fall of 1854 came to Sonoma County and 
located at Mark West. He there engaged in 
farm labor for I. C. Smith. In the spring of 
1853 Mr. Espey married Miss Margaret Smith, 
the daughter of Andrew and Ann (Eustice) 
Smith. She came to California in 1852. Her 
father was a native of Virginia, and her mother 
of Pennsylvania. In the fall of 1853 Mr. Es- 
pey located near what is now Healdsburg, and 
there engaged in farming and stock-raising until 
1868. He then moved to Mendocino County, 
where he was extensively engaged in sheep-raising 
and wool-growing until 1875. In the latter year 
he returned to Sonoma County, and for the next 
live years rented farming lands on the Mark West 
Creek, and between that place and Santa Rosa, 
upon which he engaged in farm operations and 
stock-raising. In 1880 he purchased thirty 
acres of land on the Sebastopol and Green Val- 
ley road, in Analy Township, Laguna school 
district, about one mile northwest of Sebastopol. 
Since that time he has devoted himself mostly 
to orchard cultivatiou. His lands are situated 
in one of the finest fruit-growing sections in 
Sonoma County. A beautiful residence and 
suitable out-buildings were upon the place at 
the time of his purchase, but nearly all the 
Other improvements have been made by him. 



HIHTOBY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



He now has twenty acres of thrifty 3'onng fruit 
trees Just coining into bearing, mostly peaches 
and apples. Of tiie latter it is safe to say that 
Mr. Espey produced in 1888 some of the finest 
specimens of the Alexander variety ever grown 
in the county. The rest of his land is devoted 
to iiay and stock, but it is his intention in the 
near future to increase his orchards until they 
occupy all his land. He is destined to have one 
of the finest orchards in that section of the 
county. Mr. Espey is a pioneer of Sonoma 
County, and his long residence has gained him 
a large circle of friends and acquaintances, by 
whom he is respected and esteemed. An enter- 
prising and progressive citizen he takes a deep 
interest in the future prosperity of the section 
in which he resides. lie is a consistent mem- 
ber of the Methodist church, South. In poli- 
tics he is a life-long Democrat, but is liberal 
and conservative in his views. Mr. and Mrs. 
Espey have seven children living: Virginia, 
Alma, Horace Lee, Charles, George M., Benson 
and Sydney. Alma married J. Taylor Bradley, 
and they are now (1888) living in the Indian 
Territory. Virginia is a teacher in the public 
schools at Santa Rosa. 



fBED CHART, oueof the respected citizens 
of Sonoma Valley, is the owner of a tine 
rural property and cottage home three 
miles south of Sonoma, where he established his 
residence in the autumn of 1867. This place 
consists of 115 acres of the choicest valley 
land, forty acres of which are in vineyard, the 
rest being devoted to the production of hay and 
in pasture. Mr. Chart also owns another valu- 
able tract of land of 100 acres not far east from 
his home. He dates his birth in the county of 
Susse.x, England, December 18, 1806. In his 
youth he learned the shoemaker's trade, and for 
many years made that his vocation. In 1828, 
in his native county, he married Miss Mary 
Chandler. In 1832 they resolved on emigra- 
tion to the United States, and made their home 



in Rochester, New York, removing thence in 
1839 to Allegan County, Michigan. There Mr. 
Chart became a farmer, and there lived until 
1850. His wife went to England on a visit and 
died there in 1843. Several years he lived 
comparatively alone, and on August 9, 1852, in 
that county, he married Mrs. Phebe Wilcox, 
who is his present wife. She was born in Ox- 
ford, England, February 19, 1820, and caine to 
the United States in 1814. In 1850 Mr. Chart 
disposed of his interests in Michigan, and made 
the overland journey to this State. Two years 
later he returned to Michigan via the Isthmus, 
and soon after his second marriage returned to 
California by way of Cape Horn. Mr. Chart 
lived a few months in the then small town of 
Sacratnento, when he first came to California, 
and then moved to San Francisco, and a year or 
so later engaged in dairying and gardenino- near 
the Presidio, first as a renter and afterward as 
an owner. There his business was conducted 
eneriretically and profitably for many years. 
As before stated, Mr. Chart established his 
present home in 1867. But little improvement 
had been made on the place prior to his com- 
ing, though the house had been erected, but no 
trees planted. Now the gentle eminence upon 
which the cottage stands is shaded by trees, and 
is one of the pleasantest homes in the county. 
Both are consistent members of the Congrega- 
tional church. 



tP. MOORE, auditor and recorder of So- 
noma County, was born November 1, 
® 1831, in Brown County, Ohio, where he 
lived till ten years of age, when his parents 
moved to St. Louis, Missouri. His father, Cap- 
tafn John Moore, was a steamboat owner of a 
line of steamers on the Mississippi and Ohio 
rivers, and on one of these boats the 
subject of this sketch spent two years. 
He attended school in St. Louis for two 
years, then, in 1843, moved to Peoria, Illinois, 
where he lived until coming to California in 



ni^roHY OF 80N0MA COUNTY. 



1851. C'a}Uain John Moore furuished the 
money to l)nihl tlie iirst distillery erected in 
Peoria. lie packed pork and conducted a large 
mercantile business in tliat city prior to 1850, 
in which year he came to the Golden State, a 
year before the coming of his son. Judge 
Moore, the subject of this sketch, first located 
in Marysville, living there six years, keeping 
books and clerking for a large wholesale house. 
In 1857 he moved to Quincy, Plinnas County) 
and there engaged in general merchandising. 
While there he held the offices of postmaster, 
justice of the peace, and was county judge by 
appointment, and afterward, in 1869, was elected 
to that ofKce, serving in all six years. Leaving 
that place in 1873 he settled in Oakland, where 
he remained four 3'ears, and where he again 
engaged in merchaiidisins;. ' Fi"om there he re- 
moved to Geyserville where he held the office of 
postmaster, aud also conducted a general mer- 
chandise store. On settling in Santa Rosa, he 
went into the sheriff's office as under-sherili", 
which position he filled four years. He was 
then elected, on t'le Democratic ticket, in 1886, 
to his present office, and assumed the duties of 
the same on the first Monday in January. 1887, 
and was re-elected in November, 1888. Judge 
Moore was married in 1858 to Miss Hannah 
Mastin, a native of Mississippi. They have 
five cliildren living and one deceased. One 
child is married and lias three children. The 
judge is a member of the A. O. U. W., and has 
been financier of the lodge five years. 



fAPTAIN J. S. YOUNG, proprietor of the 
Sotoyome House, Healdsburg, has been a 
resident of that city since 1888. He is a 
native of West Meath, Ireland, born July 15, 
1839, and came to this country in May, 1861, 
locating in New York City. The civil war then 
progressing caused him to take an active interest 
in the National cause, and his sympathies were 
strongl}' enlisted on the Union side. In May, 
1862, he entered the service. He served 



thioughout the war to its closing days, and on 
the 15th of April, 1865, left the port of New- 
bern, N\)rth Carolina, to return to New York 
City. In the fall of the same year he went to 
Montana Territory, and was for a time engaged 
at the mines of Helena, and afterward at Stock- 
ton, Utah. In 1866 he went to the great mining 
camp at Virginia City, Nevada, where he worked 
in the mines, ^xfterward engaging in the restau- 
rant business there on an extensive scale. He 
became a prominent figure in the social and 
public life of Virginia City. For eleven years 
he was Captain of the Emmett Guards, and on 
his retirement was presented with beautifully 
engrossed resolutions, expressive of the high 
esteem in which he was held by the members. 
He also served on the staff of Governor Batter- 
man, with the rank of captain. He served one 
term as a member of the board of alderman, 
and in 1876 was elected mayor of the city, 
which office he filled with honor and credit. 
From Virginia Citj' he went to Tombstone, 
Arizona, in 1880. and, although he remained 
there only four months, acquired property 
interests, which he still retains. At Tombstone 
he had just laid in a large stock of goods, and, 
before he had finished unpacking, the entire 
outfit was destroyed by fire. A meeting of 
creditors was soon held, and it was decided that 
as he had no benefit whatever from the goods, 
he should be given a clear bill on payment of 
twenty-five cents on the dollar. When the 
proposition was made to Captain Young he 
informed them that there was only one settle- 
ment that he would consent to, and that was at 
one hundred cents on the dollar. He adhered 
to his resolution, and being given carte-blanche 
by his wholesale houses in the matter of buying 
goods, soon had a store started in a mining 
camp at Lake Valley, Dona Ana County, New 
Mexico, far removed from civilization, the goods 
having to be carted many miles by team before 
reaching their destination. Six months after 
his disastrons fire, every cent due his creditors 
had been paid and all claims at par, instead of 
tweutv-five cents on the dollar as had been 



KIHTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



ottered him. While lie was in New Mexico the 
country was in a very disturbed state on account 
of Indians and outlaws, and a viirilanee com- 
mittee of twenty-seven men was formed for 
protection. Out of that vi^^ilance committee a 
military company was organized, which was 
attached to the Territorial militia as Company 
A, First Regiment, Lake Valley Guards, and 
Mr. Young was ciiosen Captain. He held that 
position until the company disbanded. October 
19, 1883, he came to Ilealdsburg and purchased 
the Sotoyome House, which, under his manage- 
ment has taken front rank among the hotels of 
northern California. Captain Young was first 
married at Virginia City to Rosanna Bell, a 
native of New York City. She died while at 
the springs of Las Vegas, New Mexico, whither 
she had gone for her health, June 28, 1882. By 
this marriage there are six children: George 
(deceased), William J., John J., Rose A., Perley 
A. and Francis E. He married his present 
wile January 1, 1884. Her maiden name was 
Elizabeth LaGrange. She is a sister of General 
LaGrange, a veteran of tlie late war, former 
superintendent of the mint at San Francisco, 
and now one of the leading lawyers of New York 
City. By this marriage there are two children — 
Lily and Hugh. Captain Young is a member 
of the I. O. O. F. and K. of P. He is one of the 
active, public spirited citizens of Healdsburg, 
and is one of lier most energetic business men. 
He is an ardent Republican, and is one of the 
leaders of his party. 



fH. HOAG, United States Storekeeper, 
Fourth District, has been a resident of 
* Sonoma County since 1856, coming here 
from his native city, Poughkeepsie, New York. 
He is the youngest child of the family, and his 
parents, who are both deceased, were also 
natives of New York, and descendants of old 
settlers from Vermont. His father, Charles 
Hoag, died in 1850. Tiie subject of this sketch 
was educated in T'oughkeepsie, New York, and 



there studied law with H. A. Nelson and John 
P. H. Tallman, both still living. The former 
wasSecretary of State of New York in 1860, and 
is one of the ablest lawyers in the State; the latter 
is a noted probate lawyer. Mr. Hoag com- 
pleted his law course and successfully passed his 
examination at the age of eighteen years, re- 
ceiving his certificate to be admifted to the bar 
-when he reached his majority. Being connected 
with the prominent law firm above men- 
tioned, Mr. Hoag had extraordinary opportuni- 
ties for obtaining knowledge of actual practice, 
and did a large amount of it in the subordinate 
courts. He made his way to California the 
same year in which he received his certificate, 
arriving here in May, 1857. He also had two 
brothers who came to the Golden State. One 
of them has since died in San Francisco, and 
the other is still livintj there. Mr. Hoag en- 
gaged in farming in the vicinity of Bodega, and 
occasionally tried a case at law. Li 1863-'64: he 
was elected, on the Democratic ticket, to the 
Legislature, and re-elected in 1865-'66, his brother 
being one of the opposing candidates, the first 
term being the youngest member of that body. 
In 1873, having been security for a man who 
was largely interested in Monterey County, and 
thinking to save himself from losses, he became 
interested with him in conducting a farm of 
1,800 acres in that county. However, he lost. 
In 1875 he was elected auditor and recorder of 
Sonoma County, and filled the office two years. 
After his term of office expired became a mem- 
ber of the law firm of Hoag ifc Whipple, the 
latter, Edwin L. Whipple, being then one of the 
brightest young men on this coast. He died 
here some years after. After three years this 
partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Hoag em- 
barked in the real estate and insurance busi- 
ness, in which he has since been engaged. Being 
well posted on the land titles in Sonoma 
County, he has done a great deal of conveyanc- 
ing, and a portion of the time he did a heavy 
loaning business in connection with his brothers 
and clients, in the way of accommodation loans 
amounting to §130,000 a year. Mr. Hoag has 



HI.<TOHY OF SOXOilA COINTY. 



been active in local politics, and an energetic 
worker in every campaign for twenty-nineyears, 
until assuming the duties of his present posi- 
tion. His loyalty to liis party is unquestion- 
able. In November, 1887, he was appointed to 
his present oftice, with headquarters at ware- 
house No. 2, Santa Rosa. Tlie house has an 
average of 60,000 gallons of brandy. Mr. 
Hoag was married in 1860 to the daughter of 
Judge L. D. Cockrill, a native of Kentucky, and 
a pioneer of California, who came to this State 
from Bates County, Missouri, where he served 
as county judge, and was a prominent educator. 
Mrs. Iloag is a native of Missouri. Her parents 
both died withiii the past eighteen months, in 
Bloomfield. They were botli very aged, the 
father being about ninety, and having served as 
justice of the peace for many years up to the 
time of his death. Mr. and Mrs. Hoag have 
eight children, all at home, with names in 
the order of ages as follows: Miss Helen O. 
Hoag, Gushing E., 0. H., Jr., Herbert, Larena 
^., Edeth, Edwin Whipple and Aletha. 



MSENRY HUBBARD, whose handsome home 
f|M\ ornaments one of the prettiest building 
^li sites on Oak Mountain, above Cloverdale, 
is a native of Litchfield County, Connecticut, 
born May 6, 1840, his parents being Ithaner 
and Lavina (Barnard) Hubbard. Both parents 
were natives of Connecticut, and the father was 
a farmer and carpenter. Henry Hubbard, the 
subject of this mention, was reared and educa- 
ted in his native county, and from there went 
to New Haven, w'liere he followed mercantile 
pursuits for many years. In 1868 he came to 
California, via Panama, landing at San Fran- 
cisco December 9, and, after four years in this 
State, returned to Connecticut. He came back 
to California, and since 1876 has resided on 
Oak Mountain. When he came here he was 
broken in health and spirits, but has found both 
health and happiness. Mr. Hubbard was here 
married to Mrs. Addie M. Moody, a native of 



Jefferson County, New York. Her parents 
were Calvin and Cynthia Ann (Buttertield) 
Wright. Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard are comfort- 
ably supplied with this world's goods, strong in 
their religious convictions, and striving to so 
live in this life that they shall be ready to prop- 
erly enter and enjoy that to come. 



fH. SCHNITTGER is one of the progres- 
sive men of Mendocino Township. He 
'' has a ranch of sixty acres on Dry Creek 
road, eight miles distant from Healdsburg, which 
he purchased in 1883. Twenty acres are in 
vines, ranging from two to four years in age, 
and of the following varieties; Gray Riesling, 
Franklin Riesling, Green Riesling, Burgundy, 
Johannisberg, Zinfandel, and Golden Chasse- 
las. It will thus be seen that he has kept in 
view the idea of progress in setting out his 
vineyard. In orchard he has about nine acres, 
the ti'ees ranging in age about the same as the 
vines. He has silver prunes, French prunes, 
yellow egg plums, late peaches, (orange cling 
and smoked slatej, early peaches (Honest Abe, 
AYager, etc.), Bartlett and late pears and apples. 
The trees are in excellent condition, as are also 
the vines, and his efforts in these directions are 
a credit to him. The rest of his farm is devoted 
to alfalfa, hay and corn. Mr. Schnittger is a 
native of Germany, born in the province, of 
Hanover, January 18, 1844, his parents being 
H. and Anna (Lammers) Schnittger, both of 
whom are now deceased. He was reared in his 
native countrj-, attending school from the age of 
six to fifteen years, and after that assisting his 
father on the farm until 1866. In that year he 
emigrated to America, landing at New York. 
He decided to try his fortune on the Pacific 
slope, and two months later was on his way to 
California, via the Panama route. He landed 
at San Francisco October 13, 1866, and became 
connected with the grocery trade, in which he 
was interested until coming to this county, the 
last twelve years being in business for himself. 



.=^5 



4- 



I 



*2s -5-^, 



0» /" 





tmn JJ f/ey. 



lUSroRY OF SONOMA UOUNTY. 



He was married in San Francisco to Miss Etnnia 
Meyer, a native of Germany. Slie died in this 
city. His present wife was formerly Friedericke 
Halm, a native of Hanover. They have two 
children — Arnold Frederick and Johann Hein- 
rich. Mr. Schnittger made his start in life 
since coming to California, and now enjoys a 
high reputation for integrity. 



fOHN W. WILEY. -No liistory of Analy 
Township or of Sonoma County could be 
considered complete without a mention of 
the pioneer whose name heads this sketch. 
Besides his long residence of over thirty-eight 
years, his connection with, and pioneer efforts 
in establishing the fruit industry in this county 
has made his name known throughout the 
county, but more especially in Analy and Santa 
Rosa townships. His residence in Green Valley 
is in one of the finest fruit-growing sections of 
Sonoma County, if not in the State of California. 
And he has done more than any other man in the 
county in establishing this fact. Nearly thirty- 
tive years ago Mr. Wiley entered into fruit 
cultivation in Green Valley, at a time when it 
was not considered suitable for anything but 
agricultural purposes, and he has ever since 
been the leader in introducing new varieties. 
The famous Wiley cling peach was propagated 
by him in 1880. The seed of this peach origi- 
nally came from Virginia, but it was under his 
skillful and intelligent cultivation that the 
present magnificent peach that bears his name 
has been produced. A brief resume of 'Mr. 
Wiley's life herewith given is of interest. He 
was born in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio, 
November 5, 1880. His father, Levi Wiley, 
was a native of Pennsylvania, and was one of 
the early pioneers of Ohio. He located at what 
is now the flourishing city of Columbus and the 
capital of a great State, when it was only a 
wilderness, and he was there engaged in con- 
structing the first house ever built in that 
]ilace. He lived to be ovei- 100 years of age. 



dying in 1878. Mr. Wiley's mother was a 
Miss Elizabeth Legg, a native of Virginia, who 
married his father in Ohio. The subject of this 
sketch was i-eared upon his father's farm until 
fourteen years of age, his schooling facilities 
during this time being merely nominal. At 
that early age Mr. Wiley displayed the charac- 
teristic energy and ambition that have carried 
him successfully through so many trials in after 
life. He purchased his time from his father, 
paying $100 per year until he reached the age 
of twenty-one. He commenced life upon his 
own account by farm labor and ot^her occupa- 
tions, and despite being hampered by paying for 
his time, before reaching the age of nineteen 
years was the owner of a farm. Mr. Wiley- 
made three trips to the West, first in 1848, 
when he went to Santa Fe, and second to Chi- 
huahua in 1849. Then came the gold fever of 
1849, and it struck Mr. AViley with its full 
force, and as soon as he could arrange his affairs 
he started in the spring of 1850, for the new 
El Dorado. Young, active and ambitious, he 
started, across the plains, securing the only 
occupation available, and that was the driving 
of an o.\ team. The trip was one of toil and 
hardship for him at least, for of the hundreds 
of miles of this journey he walked and drove an 
ox team all but eighteen miles. He arrived at 
Placerville August 20, 1850, and immediately 
commenced mining operations, but he was bro- 
ken in health, and after fonr weeks' trial was 
compelled to abandon the search for wealth in 
that occupation. That same fall he came to 
Sonoma County and located in Green Valley. 
Here he purchased from I. W. Sullivan 222 
acres of land in what is now the Green Valley 
school district, si.x miles northwest of Sebasto- 
pol. In 1858 he sold 150 acres of this land to 
Isaiah Thomas, retaining the rest, upon which he 
has since devoted himself to clearing and culti- 
vating, until now he has one of the finest farms 
in the valley. His orchard contains sixteen 
acres, eleven of which are in peaches, a 
fruit which, as before stated, Mr. Wiley has 
devoted years in perfecting. The rest of his 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



orchard contains varieties of nearly all fruits 
grown in Green Valley. Ten acres are in Zin- 
fandel wine grapes, fifteen acres contain a large 
variety of the most approved and productive 
table grapes, and the rest of his farm is devoted 
to liay, grain, and stock purposes, except such 
laiids as are producing corn, potatoes, etc. Mr. 
Wiley is also the owner of forty acres of valuable 
timber land two miles west of liis home farm. 
In 1849, while driving a government team Mr. 
Wiley was shot by an Indian with a poisoned 
arrow. In 1866 a saw-log rolling on him broke 
seven ribs in his left side, three in his rigirt side 
a:id his collar bone. In 1883 he again received 
severe injuries by the gin pole of a pile driver 
falling on and crushing hjs right foot, and in 
1886 iiis right leg was broken by being run 
over with his wagon which was loaded with oats. 
Again in 1887, when jumping from his wagon 
he fell on his right arm, breaking it. Mr. 
Wiley is an enthusiast over the future prospects 
of the beautiful valley in which he lives, and is 
ever ready to aid in all movements that tend to 
advance its interests and the welfare of the 
community. He is a member of Sebastopol 
Lodge, No. 161, I. O. O. F. Always taking a 
deep interest in his district, he has served for 
some time as one of the school trustees, and also 
as road master. In 1855 Mr. Wiley was united 
in marriage with Miss Lucy Ann White, a 
native of Chicago, Illinois. She is the step- 
daughter of J. A. Steel, of Sonoma County. 
From this marriage there are nine children 
living, viz: Lewella A., wife of Victor Piez^i, 
resident of Sonoma County; John M., wdio 
married Miss Hattie Parmeter; Elizabeth, wife 
of S. M. Thomas, of Sonoma County; William 
N., Laura M., Lillie Arria, Minnie H., Warren 
D. and James Earle. 



J3|WEN McCHRISTIAN was born in 
'flM Rochester, New Tork, in 1840, and has 
^^ spent nearly all his life in California. 
His parents, Patrick and Mary (Church) Mc- 



Christian, came across the plains to California 
in 1845. His father was a native of Down 
County, Ireland, and when but fifteen years of 
age emigrated to the United States, and located 
in Rochester, New York, where he grew to 
man's estate, and married. After his marriage, 
in 1831, he moved to Perry County, Ohio, re- 
maining there until 1848. He then moved to 
Missouri and settled in Andrew County, and in 
1845 came to California. He located in Napa 
Count}', where he remained until 1848, when 
he came to Sonoma County, and settled in 
Green Valley. He purchased 482 acres of land 
from Jasper O'Farrell, upon which he resided 
until his death. The subject of this sketch was 
reared upon his father's farm until the age of 
twelve years. At this early age he started out in 
life upon his own account, and engaged in herding 
stock and other farm labor. He continued this 
occupation in Sonoma and adjoining counties 
until 1862. In this year, during the Salmon 
River mining excitement, he took a band of 
twenty-five horses, with saddle equipments, to 
Oregon, and established a saddle train for the 
transportation of travelers from the Dalles to 
the John Day River and Salmon River mines. 
After Conducting this enterprise for some 
months, lie disposed of his train, and engaged in 
mining, which he followed for about three 
years. He then returned to Sonoma County, 
and engaged in stock-raising at Cloverdale, 
after which he went to Eureka, Humboldt 
County, and was extensively engaged in the 
same business until 1872. In that year he took 
a band of 420 horses across the plains to Omaha, 
being five months on the route. Disposing of 
a portion of them at that point, he took the 
rest as far east as Illinois, then went to Con- 
necticut, where he spent the winter. In 1873 
returned to Sonoma County, and settled on a 
portion of the old homestead in Green Valley. 
In 1874 he married Miss Susie Smith, the 
daughter of Hezekiah Smith, of Iowa. She 
came to California in 1873. Since 1873 Mr. 
McChristian has devoted his attention to farm- 
ing and stock-raising. He is the owner of a 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



fine tract of land, 290 acres in extent, located in 
the Spring Hill school district in Green Valley, 
abont two and one-half miles northwest of Se- 
bastopol. Twenty acres of this land are in 
orchard, producing apples, peaches, pears and 
plums, eighty acres are devoted to the growing 
of hay and grain, and the balance is used for 
stock purposes. Among his stock are about 
sixt}' head of Merino and Southdown sheep. 
He also pays considerable attention to the rais- 
ing of draft horses, and ha§ some fine specimens 
of Norman horses. Mr. McChristian is a pub- 
lic spirited and progressive citizen. His suc- 
cess in life is to bo attributed more to his native 
wit and natural good sense, than to any educa- 
tional facilities he had in early life. He is a 
school trustee in his district, and takes a deep 
interest in the public schools. Politically he is 
a Democrat, but is very liberal and conservative 
in his views. He is a member of the Lafayette 
Lodge, No. 126, F. & A. M., of Sebastopol, also 
of Rebecca Degree Lodge, No. 44, L O. O. F. 
Both he and his wife ai'e members of the Sebas- 
topol lodge of Chosen Friends. Mr. and Mrs. 
McChristian have five living children, William, 
Owen E., Cecil G., Pearl and Chloe. 

^ON. H. W. EYINGTON.— In every com- 
|ra\ munity there are always found some few 
^Ig men, who, in virtue either of their talents, 
their energy or their position, achieve an emi- 
nence not enjoyed by their fellow citizens, and 
become, in the eyes of the world, representative 
of their section. The placing upon record of 
the life history of these men — the leaders of 
their age and country — is a duty laid upon the 
contemporary historian, and should be accom- 
plished as fully as may be, for the two- fold 
purpose of ensuring the preservation of some of 
the best phases of our national progress, and of 
proving a means for the instruction and encour- 
agement of succeeding generations. This is of 
peculiar value in California for the reason that 
lier history is unique among all countries of the 



globe, for the variety, change, incident and the 
unconquerable diligence and enterprise of her 
sons. Thi.s is true chiefly, it should be stated 
further, of her pioneers, the men who came in 
the early days and in the face of the greatest 
ditticulties, and frequently in spite of them, 
carved out of a barren wilderness, a success that 
the world has never seen before. It is hence 
with no feeling of apology that we present 
herewith a few facts connected with the history 
of Hon. H. W. Byington, a gentleman whose 
name has become known across the country as 
one of the Golden State's most talented, ener- 
getic, successful and representative sons, one 
who would have been in the lead wherever his 
lot was cast, and who has made noble use of the 
opportunities afibrded him here. Mr. Byington 
was born in Litchfield County, Connecticut, 
December 1, 1828. From his parents he re- 
ceived nothing to pave his way to easy fortune 
save alone that best heritage of man — a sound 
frame coupled with intense energy, economy 
and the strictest rectitude. He is of Puritan 
stock, that firmest root of the American people, 
and from his ancestors derives the peculiar 
qualities that have set him in the front, although 
to reach there he has had to fight his way 
against the greatest odds. At twelve years of 
age, when most boys think only of play, he was 
thrown upon his own resources, and has had, 
from that early age, only himself to depend 
upon. As a natural consequence his opportuni- 
ties for schooling were limited. The education 
gained from experience and a knowledge of the 
world have been made the most of, however, 
and by neglecting no opportunity to improve 
himself Colonel Byington is fitted to adorn any 
society, and moves with freedom in every 
circle. In 1842 he became an apprentice to a 
clock-maker, learned the business and carried it 
on until the year 1849. Like so many others 
in that year, he could not withstand the tempt- 
ing chances of the wonderful stories of gold on 
this distant western shore that were flying thick 
and fast over the country, and determined to 
test their truth in person. Even at that time. 



600 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



although but twenty years of age, his business 
tact and splendid executive ability were already 
appreciated. One of the organizers, he became 
the prime mover in the "Brothers Mining and 
Trading Company," of New Haven, Connecti- 
cut, which was formed to make the journey to 
this State, young Byington being one of the 
first directors, and a leading figure, although the 
company comprised men of ages ranging as 
high as sixty years, and he was one of the 
youngest. He had contrived, b}' rigid economy, 
in saving §800 from the small wages of the 
time (when he first began clock-making he was 
paid only twenty-five cents a day), and this he 
contributed to the undertaking. They pur- 
chased the new bark, John Walls, Jr., and 
navigated her -'around the Horn"' to San 
Fi-aneisco, reaching there safely, after an un- 
eventful voyage, on January 1, 1850. Mr. 
Byington never missed an opportdnity in his 
life. He took advantage of the fiush times to 
turn an honest penny by the sale of three pairs 
of boots he had brought with him from the 
East, where they had cost him .$12. He sold 
them for $50, $100, and $90 a pair respectively. 
This simple fact illustrates admirabl}' the tre- 
mendously infiated prices of those fiush days. 
The first position he held in San Francisco was 
in the office of the county surveyor, under the 
late AVilliam M. Eddy. Later, he embarked in 
the mercantile business in the city of Sacra- 
mento, being the senior member of the firm of 
Byington, Clark & Co. Returning to San 
Francisco, he opened a wood and coal yard and 
carried on a successful business until 1860. He 
then engaged in the livery business, and con- 
tinued it upon an extensive scale until the year 
1875. In that year, desiring to find a more 
favorable location, he visited every part of the 
State, and after a thorough investigation re- 
moved to Santa Rosa, since which time he has 
been actively identified with tlie best interests " 
of that portion of California. Before dismissing 
this period of Mr. Byington's life, we must 
mention several incidents of the greatest inter- 
est. It was by a far-sighted investment in San 



Francisco real estate that he obtained his first 
big lift to financial independence. While he 
was in the surveyor's office he purchased eighty 
acres of land in the then outskirts of the cMy, 
out among the sand hills. For it he paid 
$1,000, and was well laughed at by his friends 
for his folly. " He laughs best who laughs 
last," however, and when he sold it in 1860 for 
$45,000, the laugh was the other way. This is 
the tract now familiarly known as the " Bying- 
ton Tract," and is to-day worth millions. 
During the troublous times of 1856, when the 
vigilance committee was organized and the en- 
tire community of San Francisco were excited 
and a state of chaos existed, Mr. Byington, who 
belonged to a cavalry company known as the 
"National Lancers," then under command of 
Captain Thomas Hayes, inspired by a sense of 
duty obeyed the order of his superior officer, 
under the direction of the governor of the State, 
and allied himself with wliat was tlien termed 
the " law and order " forces. Of all the State 
militia or volunteer comjanies the "National 
Lancers" were the only company whose arms 
were not surrendered to the vigilantes. 
Although Mr. Byington felt that the organiza- 
tion of a vigilance committee was a necessity to 
eradicate many growing evils in San Francisco, 
he believed it to be his first duty to maintain 
the laws of the State, to whom he, as an officer, 
had sworn allegiance. In this position Mr. 
Byington was consistent, as he was in a later 
period of our country's history, when insurrec- 
tion accrued and he again stood loyal to his 
country and faithful to the trust reposed in him. 
It was in San Francisco, also, that Mr. Bying- 
ton began to take that active and intelligent 
interest in politics by which he has been always 
characterized. In 1869 he received the nomina- 
tion on the Republican ticket for a member of 
the State Legislature. It was a period of disas- 
ter, however, as the entire legislative ticket was 
defeated. Having settled in Santa Rosa in 
1875, Mr. Byington immediately engaged in 
business and opened a livery stable, buying the 
lot on Fourth street, adjoining the Occidental 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Hotel on the west. Here be erected coinmodi- 
ons stables, wbicb stood until swept awaj' by the 
tire of May, 1885. lie immediately rebuilt, but 
iu a more substantial manner, putting up the 
elegant Byington brick block, 120 x 200 feet in 
dimensions, two stories in height and of a light 
and graceful style of architecture. The fine 
livery stable now owned and controlled by his 
sous under the firm name of the Byington 
Brothers, is 80 x 200 feet in area, and probably 
has no superior in the State in the matter of 
equipment and accommodation. Mr. Byington 
has long been a leading figure in the politics of 
this State, and is recognized as a man of power 
and unusual ability. Until 1860 he was a 
Douglas Democrat, but upon the breaking out 
of the war of the Rebellion, when the life of the 
nation was threatened, he joined the Union 
party and became a pronounced and active Re- 
publican, and as such took a prominent part in 
San Francisco, as has been already mentioned. 
When he first settled in Santa Rosa, Sonoma 
County was almost entirely Democratic, and 
the few Republicans had almost given up heart 
and abandoned the fight. With his characteris- 
tic energy, however, Mr. Byington set himself 
to remedy matters. In the camjiaign of 1876, 
under his leadership, the Republicans mustered 
their forces and made a vigorous and successful 
contest, and for the first time showed the ruling 
party that it could not longer have things its 
own way. In 1884 a well- fought and aggres- 
sive contest was conducted nnder the general- 
ship of Mr. Byington with the result that, for 
the first time in its history, Sonoma County 
went Republican, giving Blaine, the Presiden- 
tial candidate, a majority of 100. Mr. Byington 
was himself a candidate for Senator. He bent 
all his energies, however, toward the head of 
the ticket and for protection. He succeeded in 
his undertaking, only to suffer defeat himself 
by a very few votes. In the spring of 1888 he 
was chosen by his party as tlieir standard bearer 
in the municipal election and became mayor of 
Santa Rosa by a liaTidsome majority, being the 
first Republican ever elected to that office. He 



was cliosen to represent the first congressional 
district in this State at the national convention 
assembled in Chicago, which nominated General 
Harrison for President. In this he served with 
honor and distinction. As an indication of his 
political sagacity and judicious discrimination 
it may be stated that in his speech at the recep- 
tion tendered him on his return by his fellow 
citizens, he predicted that Harrison would be 
elected and would carry not only every North- 
ern State, but the Pacific coast as well. In 
business matters Mr. Byington is broad minded 
and progressive, quick to see a favorable oppor- 
tunity and prompt to take advantage of it. In 
public matters, as bas been already stated, he 
has always taken a prominent part, devoting no 
little of his time, his means and his business 
energies to the forwarding of all undertakings 
that looked toward the general welfare. He 
formed one of the little band of five or six men 
who inaugurated the movement to organize the 
California State Board of Trade, and it was at 
his suggestion that the appropriate name it 
bears was adopted. He was elected and is now, 
at time of writing, serving as vice-president of 
that body, and is one of its most active and 
efficient members. The work accomplished by 
the State Board of Trade is one of the very 
greatest importance, as it is opening the eyes 
of the world to the unparalleled climatic and 
other advantages, and the enormous and as yet 
but partially developed resources of California. 
Mr. Byington was also one of the organizers of 
the Santa Rosa Board of Trade, and was elected 
its first president. At the present moment the 
name of Mr. Byington is being urged by the 
Republicans and other citizens of this State for 
the honorable and responsible appointment of 
Surveyor of the Port of San Francisco, as one of 
the first steps to be taken by President Harri- 
son under the coming administration. For this 
post he is eminently well fitted by every con- 
sideration, as his life training has been in 
business and commerce, and his knowledge of 
men is comprehensive. We shall be grieviously 
surprised if we do not hear of his appointment 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



very soon after the inauguration. Personally, 
he is a gentleman of captivating appearance; a 
speaker of clear and forcible oratory; an able 
organizer, and an excellent presiding officer. In 
all his relations with his fellow men he is candid, 
outspoken and free from evasiveness or afi'ecta- 
tion; but is conservative and considerate of the 
opinions and feelings of those who are of oppos- 
ing politicalfaith, conducting his contests upon 
broad and liberal principles, and numbering 
among his most ardent and eflusive personal 
friends some who are most stoutly opposed 
politically. Mr. Byington is married to an 
English lady, whose maiden name was Gordon. 
They have been blessed with a family of three 
children, two of whom are sons and one a 
dauffhter. 



fOHN TYLE-R CAMPBELL is a native of 
Bowling Green, Pike County, Missouri, 
where he was born September 9, 1843. 
He attended the common schools of his native 
town and two years at McGee College, Macon 
City, Missouri. When the Civil war broke out 
in 1861 he joined the Union army and attained 
to the rank of Captain in the Thirty-second 
Missouri Infantry Volunteers, and participated 
with the command in the leading battles of the 
AVest, including Vicksbnrg, Lookout Mountain, 
and the Georgia campaign. He was appointed 
Major of the Fifty-second Regiment of Mis- 
souri Infantry, but the war closed before the 
regiment was mustered into the service. After 
the war he studied law and located in Kansas 
City, where he was elected prosecuting attorney. 
Removing to California in 1875 he settled in 
Santa Rosa, where he has since resided. He 
was city attorney for two terms, and was elected 
a member of the Legislature of California, serv- 
ing in the sessions of 1883 and 1884 as speaker 
pi'o tern, of the House. lu 1886 he was ap- 
pointed American consul to New Zealand, and 
in 1888 he was appointed consul to Foo Chow, 
China, one of the most important positions in 



the foreign service. Referring to him the Santa 
Rosa liepuhlican said: '-Judge Campbell is an 
able lawyer, an exemplary citizen, and has in 
private life won tlie esteem of his fellow-citizens. 
He is a good, pure, excellent man of singularly 
genial nature and correct deportment. At the 
bar he has the respect and kindly regard of all 
his professional brethren and the confidence and 
esteem of the bench. He is a pleasing orator 
and is iionored throughout the county, and in 
Santa Rosa, where his home has been, he is 
trusted and liked by all classes." The subject 
of this notice deserves even a more glowing 
eulogy tiian the foregoing one from the Santa 
Rosa papers. He is a fine lawyer, ranking with 
the ablest lawyers that have ever practiced at 
the Santa Rosa bar. He is clear, methodical 
and learned, and in the preparation of his plead- 
ings, briefs and papers in general, is a model. 
AVherever he is known he exerts a commanding 
influence. With a fine presence, a singular 
sweetness of temper and a most captivating 
address, he attaches people to him, and his com- 
panionship is sought and prized. As a legisla- 
tor he took at once a high standing, grasping 
the situation almost intuitively and bringing 
into play his great resources, apparently with- 
out any effort, in accomplishing the end in 
view. As presiding officer of the Assembly, in 
the absence of the Speaker, he evinced great 
knowledge of parliamentary law. was clear, em- 
phatic and at the same time suave in his decis- 
ions, so that even an adverse ruling caused no 
bitterness of feeling in any heart. He is 
charming in social intercourse, and the delight 
of the fireside circle. Being comparatively a 
young man, with high moral promptings and a 
laudable ambition, he is destined to rise much 
higher in his professional and political aspira- 
tions. He is warm hearted and never deserts a 
friend. Confidence in him is never misplaced. 
Iti a word, few better men have ever lived in 
Sonoma County than the Hon. John Tyler 
Campbell, and few are better qualified to add 
additional laurels to her fair renown in any civil 
capacity to which he may be called by the 



HISTORY OF SOJSOMA COUNTY. 



603 



people. As a diplomat Mr. Campbell will 
always be a success. Witli great urbanity of 
manner and felicity of speecii he unites a keen 
perception of the motives of others, and caution 
in committing himself to any particular line of 
conduct or policy. These are the great charac- 
teristics of a successful consul or minister, and 
often prevent international complications. Mr. 
Campbell is most amiable in his domestic rela- 
tions, and has a charming family, consisting of 
wife, daughter and son. 



f[HARLES AUGUSTUS BOD WELL was 
bprn in Farmington Township, Hartford 
1 County, Connecticut, November 24, 1822. 
His father, Augustus Bodwell, was a native of 
Simsbnry, and his mother, Olive Williams 
(Duck) Bodwell, was born in Farmington, both 
in the same county. The mother of Augustus 
Bodwell was of old Plymouth stock. When 
she was a girl she lived with her uncle. Colonel 
Willis, then owner of the historic Charter Oak 
place. Mr. Bodwell and his wife always made 
their home in Connecticut, where they died, the 
latter January 12, 1839. They reared a family 
of four children, three sons and one daughter, 
of whom the eldest son and the subject of this 
sketch are living. Charles A. Bodwell made 
his home with his parents until he was sixteen 
or seventeen years old. He was reared on a 
farm, and received his education at the district 
schools and at the academy at Farmington. He 
went to Hartford and entered the drug store of 
Lee & Butler, who did a large wholesale and 
retail business, where he began the study of 
drugs. The l)usiness was afterward bought by 
his brother, Woodbridge Bodwell, who ran it 
for about three years when it was sold again, 
this time another brother, George Bodwell, be- 
ing the purchaser. Our subject remained in 
the employ of his brother until March, 1849, 
when he went to St. Louis. Tiiere Mr. Bodwell 
joined a party bound for Salt Lake City, under 
the management of Livingston and Kinkead, 



with a stock of merchandise, the first general 
assortment in this line that was opened up in Salt 
Lake. The party left Omaha with a Mormon 
train, and after being six months on the way, 
arrived at their destination point. The Mor- 
mons were by this time pretty badly in need of 
supplies, having had nothing except what they 
brought with them when the territory was 
opened up in 1847. The proprietors of the 
stock prevailed upon Mr. Bodwell to remain 
with them in their employ, and the next spring 
he and Mr. Livingston returned to the East 
after another stock of goods. Livingston bought 
the goods and Mr. Bodwell made the purchase 
of cattle for the train. He brought them from 
Independence, Missouri, to Table Cr^ek at old 
Fort Kearney, where Livingston had brought 
the goods by steamboat. There the wagon 
train was made up and put in charge of the 
train-master, while the principals of the enter- 
prise went on ahead and made the trip to Salt 
Lake in twenty-four days. Mr. Bodwell re- 
mained there until the spring of 1851 when he 
went to Fort Hall, and from there to the Thomas 
Fork of the Bear River, in Idaho, east of Soda 
Springs and just aboVfe the Utah line. There 
he built a toll-bridge over the stream, expecting 
to realize a good thing from it on account of the 
great emigration that was going that way. That 
year, however, the travel was very light, as com- 
pared with what it was the year previous, and 
not thinking very much of his enterprise after 
he had conducted it for awhile, gave it away. 
The next year emigration was increased and the 
parties who operated the bridge made about 
$15,000. From there Mr. Bodwell went to 
Kansas to a trading post on Grasshopper Creek, 
on the Santa Fe road, about forty miles from 
Leavenworth. He opened a store and carried 
on a trading business with the Indians, remain- 
ing there one year. He then came to|California 
with a herd of cattle belonging to Young and 
Ross, being pretty well acquainted with the 
road, having been over it several times, at least 
as far as Salt Lake. He reached the Golden 
State and stayed with his cattle ^n Butte County 



HlSrORy OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



nearly a year until they were fattened and ready 
to dispose of. He then came San Francisco 
and went into the hay and grain business for 
himself. In the fall of 1856 lie came to Sonoma 
County, and, with his brother-in-law, J. B. 
Lewis, bought 485 acres of land, where he lived 
until 1864, when he sold the property to Mr. 
Lewis, the present owner, and bought the place 
where he now resides at Lakeville. He has 255 
acres of fine farming land devoted to general 
farming and stock-raising. The Eodwell land- 
ing was built by him in 1879, and is a landing 
for steamers and vessels plying along the Peta- 
luma Creek. Mr. Bodwell is the agent for the 
steamer Gold., which makes regular stops at | 
the landing, which is a great shipping point 
for that section of the country. On the 5th day 
of May, 1875, he was appointed postmaster at 
Lakeville, which position he now tills. Mr. 
Bodwell was married in 1864 to Miss Charlotte 
Frances Cadbonrne, a native of Baldwin, Maine, 
where she was born October 17, 1836. Mrt. 
Bodwell, with her brother, came to California 
in the fall of 1861. They have two children: 
Charles Augustus, Jr., and Charlotte Elizabeth. 



— ^«@::®»'.^- 

fHARLES xiSAPH PERKY, superintend- 
ent of the Santa Rosa Fruit Packing Com- 
pany, was born in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, 
October 13, 1859. He came to California in 
1862, and lived at Susanville, Lassen County, 
until 1866. He then went to Chico, Butte 
County, where he lived one year. From there 
he went to Reno, Nevada, where his father was 
engaged as a painter. Mr. Perry returned to 
Wisconsin in 1871; at the end of three years 
went to the mines in northern Idalio, and after 
four years of unsuccessful labor in those mines, 
came to San Francisco. He engaged with Mr. 
Black as manager of a salmon cannery at Mar- 
tinez and became familiar with all the details of 
the canning business. Mr. Black, the founder 
of the Santa Rosa Cannery, in 1881 employed 
Mr. Perry to superintend the work in Santa 



Rosa as well. Mr. Black started up the can- 
nery with a small force and packed 4,000 cases 
of canned goods, employing about sixty hands. 
Business kept on increasing until 1886, when, 
in the latter part of the season, September 19, 
the cannery was burned. In the sprino-of 1887 
the present company. The Santa Rosa Packing 
Company, was incorporated, and on June 4th 
the first brick vvas laid for the new cannery 
building, and under Mr. Perry's management 
was ready to receive and can fruit on the 7th of 
July, just thirty-three days from the timethefirst 
brick was laid. The main building is 80x120, 
uf brick, and in 1887 the pack grew to 30,000 
cases of goods, employing 300 hands. In 1888 
they built a brick warehouse, 80 x 100, as well 
as a wooden one 80 x 80 feet. The pack in 1888 
was nearly 50,000 cases of canned goods. For 
this year the pay-roll for labor was about 
$28,000; $60,000 for fruit, or about $174,000 
for all purposes during the season. During the 
canning season employment was given to about 
400 hands. This is one of Santa Rosa's best 
conducted industries. October 13, 1885, Mr. 
Perry was married to Miss Margaret Ada Stele, 
and the result of the union is two children, both 
daughters. The elder, named after her mother, 
Margaret Ada, was born July 15, 1886; and 
Abbie Eleuenea was born July 20, 1888; both 
are natives of Santa Rosa. Mr. Perry has made 
the canning of fruits a thorough study, andean 
command a high salary for his services in that 
line of business. He is essentially a self-made 
man, and it is seldom that one so young in years 
attains to such prominence in business. But 
his lineage runs back to the Webster stock, 
which has been heard of in this American land. 



fAMES COOPER, deceased.— The subject 
of this sketch was well known to and is re- 
membered by the pioneers of Sonoma Val- 
ley. A man of great energy and possessed of a 
well directed purpose, he had much to do with 
the early development of Sonoma and Sononux 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Yalley. Full of faith in the future of this part 
of California, he feared not to trust his all iu 
the work of its improvement. lie was born in 
Scotland in 1816, and came to the United States 
after reaching manhood. He was a ship-carpen- 
ter by trade, and came in a merchant vessel to 
this coast in 1845, locating in the town of So- 
noma where he became one of the earliest of 
early English-speaking pioneers of Sonoma 
County. In tlie bear flag movement he had 
part, as well as in the operations following 
which led to the acquisition of this sunny land 
by the United States. He wedded, at Sonoma, 
in 1847, Mrs. Sarah Flint, who, with friends, 
made the long and weary overland journey from 
the State of Wisconsin in 1845, coming directly 
to Sonoma County. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper 
opened and conducted, a few years, the "Blue 
Wing," the first public house of which Sonoma 
could boast. The building, quite a pretentious 
one, still stands, is now owned by John Tivnen, 
and is still in use. About 1850 Mr. and Mrs. 
Cooper moved to a splendid landed estate owned 
by them on the Petaluma road, just across the 
Sonoma Creek from Sonoma, and consists of 
640 acres. They also owned 160 acres adjoin- 
ing on the southwest, these lands being among 
the choicest in the valley. Commencing while 
yet all was as nature made it, the work of im- 
provement was energetically pushed forward 
until the deatli of Mr. Cooper, which occurred 
in September, 1856. He left a widow and five 
children. All of the latter are yet living. Most 
of the original estate is yet in the hands of the 
family. The names of the children in the order 
of their births are as follows: Thomas S., who, 
with his brother, John R., is at the old liome, 
and both are ranked among the enterprising 
successful agriculturists of the valley; Barbara 
is the wife of George Campbell, of Watsonville, 
Monterey Countj'; Emma is the wife of James 
R. McDonald, of Stanishius County; and Janet 
resides with her brothers upon the homestead. 
Mrs. Cooper, after some years of widowhood, 
married Sydney Harris. Her only child by this 
marriage is now engaged in the livery business 



at Sonoma. His mother died May 10, 1886. 
James Cooper was by nature a leader among 
men. Stalwart, energetic, independent and fear- 
less, he had hosts of friends and few enemies. 
He was prominent in Masonic circles and was 
one of the charter members of Temple Lodge, 
No. 14, Sonoma, and one of its first worthy 
masters. 



"^-^ 



"3=^ 



fOHJSf GOSS was born in London, England, 
November 5, 1850; when about five years 
of age he was sent to Carlow, Ireland, where 
he lived with his grandfather, of the same name, 
and at the age of ten he came to California with 
his cousin, H. G. Tobin, of Walla Walla, Wash- 
ington Territory, and took up his residence near 
Santa Rosa with his mother, and has continued 
to reside at or near that beautiful city ever since, 
except while attending school and college at 
Oakland. He attended the district schools of 
tlie neighborhood and with such success that he 
passed an examination before he became of age, 
received a first grade certificate and taught sev- 
eral schools which he had attended as a pupil. 
In 1868 he entered the College of California, 
but the death of his step-father obliged him to 
remit his course for two j'ears, but he entered 
college again at the State University, where he 
graduated in 1874, receiving the degree of A. 
B., and a commission as First Lieutenant in the 
University Cadets. He then studied law with 
Ex-Judge Oliver P. Evans in San Francisco, 
and was admitted to the Supreme Court January 
11, 1878. His alma inafer then conferred 
upon him the degree of A. M. He opened a 
law office in Santa Rosa, but the new field prom- 
ised in central California invited his a'mbition 
and he located in Fresno in 1880. Here he 
formed a partnership with J. B. Campbell, now 
superior judge in that county, and the firm of 
Campbell &Goss did a large and lucrative busi- 
ness. They were engaged in nearly every im- 
portant case, both civil and criminal, that was 
tried there during the two years they were as- 



UIi<TORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



sociated together. Ilis mother's health, how- 
ever, becoming seriously impaired, he gave up 
his large practice in order to give his entire at- 
tention to his afflicted parent. lie returned 
with her to Santa Eosa in 1882, where she died 
the following year. He then determined to re- 
main at his old home and resume his position 
at the bar. In 1888 he was a leading candidate 
for superior judge to fill the unexpired term of 
Judge Jackson Temple, but witlidrew in favor 
of Ex-Judge Thomas Rutiedge. He secured the 
nominntion for the Assembly but was defeated, 
the district being largely Republican. Mr. 
Goss is a Democrat in politics, of strong anti- 
monopoly tendencies, and is prominent in tlie 
councils of that party. He is an able and elo- 
quent speaker, and has in preparation a work on 
oratory. Mr. Goss is married, and has an in- 
teresting family. He holds the office of court 
commissioner of the Superior Court, wliich he 
fills with entire satisfaction to the bar. 



fAMES HENRY MoGEE was born in Cam- 
den, Ray County, Missouri, October 10, 
1847. He emigrated to California with 
his parents in the spring of 1852, crossing the 
plains with ox teams, in common with the large 
stream of emigration that flooded this State in 
the early days. His fatnily, upon their arrival, 
first located in Sacramento, but soon left there 
for Sonoma, then the county seat of Sonoma 
County. From there, in 1854, they went to 
Plumas County, and returned from thence to 
Santa Rosa Valley in 1856, and, with the ex- 
ception of occasional temporary absence, have 
been a resident of said valley ever since. He 
was educated at the high school and seminary 
of Santa Rosa, and later read law with Latimer 
& McCnlloiigh of Santa Rosa, being admitted 
to the bar in 1868. He first practiced at Elko, 
Nevada, after which he located permanently at 
Santa Rosa, where he is now engaged in the 
practice of his profession. During his resi- 
dence here he has held the office of justice of 



the peace, to which position he was several 
times re-elected, and he has also held the offices 
of city recorder and city attorney of Santa 
Rosa. Judge McGee is a leading member of 
the bar of the State, and is a conspicuous figure 
in Sonoma County, where he has so long resided 
and practiced his profession. He has a well 
balanced and legal mind, and his familiarity 
with the statutes and codes is well known 
among the lawyers of the county. He is fond 
of his profession, is industrious, painstaking, 
studies his cases well, and has the good-will of 
his professional brethren. In 1868 he was 
married to Miss Cerro Gordo McMinn, and is 
the father of two children: William M., aged 
twenty years, and Irene, aged twelve years. 
His father and mother, H. W. and S. A. Mc- 
Gee, are both living in Lakeport, California. 



% 



^T; ILL! AM A. LEWIS. —The grandfather 
\b uf the subject of this sketch, John 
"^F^ Lewis, was of Welsh and French ex- 
traction and a native of the State of Virginia. 
From there he emigrated to Kentucky where he 
married and afterward moved to Missouri, 
reaching St. Louis on the 5th day of January, 
1797, settling in a part of the city then called 
Crauve Car Lake. He was one of the first — 
probably the first — American agriculturist that 
acquired a permanent residence in what is now" 
Missouri. In his family there are seven chil- 
dren, five sons and two daughters, of whom one, 
Elizabeth, was a woman of strong intellectual 
powers, was closely allied to the history of St. 
Louis, and by her many deeds of Christian 
charity, won for herself a warm place in the 
hearts of the people. She was the second 
daughter of John Lewis, and was born in Harri- 
son County, Kentucky, on the 3d day of April, 
1794, and was taken to St. Louis, Missouri, by 
her parents. She was thrice married, the first 
time immediately after the completion of her 
thirteenth year to Mr. Gabriel Long, a wealthy 
merchant and planter of St. Louis, June 25, 



UltiTOHY UF SONOMA COUNTY. 



1807; to Rev. Alexander McAlister, a talented 
and much respected clergyman of St. Louis, 
on the aOth of April, 1823, and to A. R. Cor- 
bin, Esq., of New York (then a resident of St. 
Louis and the editor and proprietor of the St. 
Louis Ar</us, the organ at that time in that city 
of the old Jackson party), June 11, 1835. Her 
last husband, with whom she lived more than 
thirty-three years, was afterward married to a 
sister of General U. S. Grant. Iler death oc- 
curred at the residence of her husband, in 
the city of New York, on the SHh of July, 1868, 
in the seventy-tifth year of her age. Her end 
was painless ;ind happy; she was surrounded by 
her husband and daughters, by many grand- 
children, several great-grandchildren and by 
sons-in-law and grand-sons-in-law. Thus sur- 
rounded and supplied with every comfort and 
with eveiy alleviation of sufl'ering which affec- 
tion and affluence could command, this early 
emigrant to St. Louis, this pious Christian, this 
accomplished lady, this most loving wife and 
mother passed to that blissful abode ])rovided by 
Lifinite Goodness for the good of all nations and 
of every degree. Sallie, another daughter of 
Johu Lewis, became the wife of Colonel Daniel 
M. Boone, son of the famous Colonel Daniel 
Boone, the old pioneer and hunter of Kentucky. 
She lived to the age of nearly seventy years, 
and was the mother of a large family, some few 
of whom are now living. One of the sons of 
John Lewis was also named John, and was four 
years old when his parents moved to Missouri, 
having been born in Kentucky in 1793. He 
grew to manhood in St. Louis, and there married 
Nancy M. Curry, also a native of Kentucky. 
He was a farmer by occupation and spent the 
most of his life in St. Louis County, where he 
died in 1818. In his family there were ten 
children, si.x sons and four daughters, of whom 
all lived to be grown. Those of the family now 
living are Mrs. Dr. J. M. Bowles, of Santa 
Rosa; Mrs. Sallie Johnson, of Napa City; 
Fannie, now Mrs. Dr. Edward Weldon, of San 
Francisco; Samuel Fletcher Lewis, of San 
Diego County, and the subject of this sketch. 



William A. Lew^s was born in St. Louis, Mis- 
souri, May 1, 1830. Like the majority of the 
boys at that time lie was reared and grew to 
manhood on his father's farm. In 1852 he 
crossed the plains with his uncle, Lindsey Lewis, 
and his family, their party comprising seven 
wagons. After a journey of seven months they 
landed in Marysville, Yuba County, California, 
where he spent a part of that winter. In the 
spring of 1853, as soon as the snow was off the 
mountains so that they could be traveled, he 
crossed over to the east side and there met a 
party of emigrants on their way to this State, 
and purcliased of them a lot of their horses 
and cattle, which he brought into Sonoma 
County, arriving here in October of the same 
year. F^rom that time to the present Mr. Lewis 
has made this his home. With a part of the 
stock of cattle he brought with him, he went 
over on the Borjorques ranch, buying a portion 
of that grant and taking up some government 
land adjoining it. He there established his 
fine dairy farm, which for its desirable location, 
the quality of the soil and the extensive im- 
provements, together with the systematic man- 
agement of the ranch, makes it one of the 
largest and finest daiiy farms in this section of 
California. The ranch consists of nearly 2,000 
acres, a part of which, including the residence, 
is in Marin County. Here Jlr. Lewis resided 
until 1880, when he moved into Petaluma and 
took nj) his residence here, but he is still man- 
aging and giving the ranch his personal atten- 
tion. He was married in St. Louis, Missouri, 
February 4, 1868, to Mary Louise, daughter of 
Dr. James H. Hall, now of Petaluma, Califor- 
nia. They have five children, three daughters 
and two sons: Nannie M., Hall, Lillian, Edith 
and William. 



^iflLLlAM LONGMORE, county assess- 

%» mn <"■ of Sonoma County, was elected to 
I^#^ the oflice in 1880 for four years. Pre- 
vious to his election he had served six years as 



IIISTOliY OF !<ONOMA COUNTY. 



deputy county assessor, from 1880. He came 
to Sonoma County twenty years ago, first settled 
in Bodega Township, where he lived twelve 
years, then moved to Analy Township, lived 
there six years, and upon being elected to the 
office lie now holds, he located in Santa Rosa. 
During these years farming and dairying has 
been his active business. Mr. Longmore was 
born in the north of Ireland thirty-seven years 
ago. He crossed the ^Atlantic when sixteen 
years of age, coming via the Isthmus of Panama 
to California. His father's relations being in 
America, he from early boyhood, determined to 
make this his home, and at the early age above 
stated, in company with an elder brother and 
two elder sisters, came to this country. One of 
the sisters has since died. Four years later his 
youngest brother and a sister came over. The 
former has since died, leaving one brother and 
two sisters still living in this State, the sisters 
in San Francisco and the brother in Solano 
County. The parents of the subject of this 
sketch were both descended from Scotch ances- 
try, but were born in Ireland. His father died 
in liis native country in 1872, and his mother 
and one brother and sister still live there. Mr. 
Longmore is what might be termed a self-edu- 
cated man, having attended school only one year. 
He was deputy assessor under G. W. Lewis, for 
the townships of Analy, Bodega, Ocean and Salt 
Point. He was elected assessor on the Demo- 
cratic ticket by a large majority of 797 votes, 
over N. King, Republican, the Democratic ma- 
jority that year being only sixty-eight votes. 
His majorities were much higher in the 
townships where he had served as deputy 
assessor. Mr. Longmore married, in 1875, Miss 
Nannie Watson, a native of California, born in 
1853, just after iier parents crossed the State 
line, en route here. Her father, James Watson, 
came across the plains in 1849, and raised the 
first crop of potatoes of any magnitude planted 
in this county, on what was called Jasper O'Far- 
rell's ranch, in the Freestone Valley. He re- 
turned to Illinois in the fall of 1850, remained 
there until the spring of 1853, sold his farm 



there, and brought his family across the plains 
that summer. He now lives in Green Valley, 
where he owns 500 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Long- 
more have had five children, four daughters and 
one son, the latter deceased. 



f^f ALTER S. DAVIS, real estate broker 
nd insurance agent, has been in 
y^^i the business six years. He first started 
in 1881, and is the special agent for the Impe- 
rial Fire Insurance Companj- and the Lion Fire 
Insurance Company of London, England, the Ori- 
ent Fire Insurance Company and the National 
Fire Insurance Company of Hartford, Connecti- 
cut. He represents George D. Dornin of San 
Francisco, general manager of the above named 
companies for the Pacific coast, and who does 
the largest California business of any general 
agency in that city. These companies repre- 
sent a capital of about $18,000,000. Mr. 
Davis owus considerable real estate, consisting 
of some choice city property and sixteen acres 
just outside the city limits, on the west. He 
looks after his own property, that of his father, 
and does a general brokei'age business in prop- 
erty, as well as loaning monej', etc. His office 
is in the Sonoma Abstract Bureau. From 1884 
to 1886 Mr. Davis was deputy county recorder. 
In 1884 he was elected city treasurer of Santa 
Rosa, and was re-elected, serving four years. 
Mr. Davis' father, Josias Davis, is a native of 
Virginia. He went to Ohio when a young 
man, married an Ohio lady, a Miss lansdale, 
and settled in Champaign County. There the 
subject of this sketch was born in February', 
1857. Mr. Davis was for many years engaged 
in merchandising in that place, until fulling 
health induced him to seek outdoor life, and he 
bought and conducted a large farm in that 
county. Wishing to improve his health, he 
came to California in 1870, and spent a few 
months in Humboldt County, then came to 
Sonoma County, where he has since resided. 
He is now sixty-eight years old, and has been 



UISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



609 



an invalid for over thirty years. Three sons 
compose their family, of whom Walter is the 
youngest. Preston li. is the county surveyor 
of Sonoma county, and Charles N. is a fanner 
in Humboldt County. The parents reside in 
Santa Rosa. Josias Davis is largely interested 
in real estate, mostly improved. He laid off 
Davis' Addition in 1871 or '72, comprising six- 
teen acres, situated on both sides of College 
avenue, and west of Mendocino street, nearly all 
of which has been sold and built up. 



PANIEL R. STEWART.— This business 
house, a grocery, provision and fruit store, 
situated on Western avenue, between 
Maine and Kentucky streets, was first started by 
A. F. Killam in June, 1882. It was first 
started as a fruit store, and from that a stock of 
groceries was added and the business increased. 
After conducting it two years and a-half, Mr. 
Killam sold half his interest to James A. Tat- 
ter?on, and the firm name became A. F. Killam 
& Co. These gentlemen continued together 
about a year, when Mr. Killam bought out Tat- 
terson's ititerest, and a month later Daniel R. 
Stewart came into the business, taking a half 
interest, and the name changed to Killam & 
Stewart. This partnership lasted about a year, 
when Mr. Stewart purchased tiie interest of his 
partner, and since October 12, 1887. has 
conducted the business under the present 
management. Mr. Stewart, a young man of 
fine business qualities, is well and favorably 
known in this community from his boyhood up. 
He was born in this county February 21, 1865, 
a son of David Stewart (whose sketch appears in 
this work). His early days were spent on his 
father's farm in Vallejo Township, and his edu- 
cation received at the public schools of Petaluma. 
He graduated in the high school June 8, 1883, 
and shortly after entered Heald's Business Col- 
lege of San Francisco, where he graduated in 
October of the same year. After spending a few 
months at home he again went to San Francisco 

37 *" 



and engaged in the Occidental Hotel as clerk 
and assistant steward, where he remained about 
five months. He then took the position of dep- 
uty superintendent of streets in that city, in 
which capacity he served for three months, 
when, upon receiving news that sickness e.visted 
in his father's family, he resigned his position 
and returned home, remaining there nine 
months assuming the duties of the farm. 
Again going to San Francisco, he engaged with 
his brother-in-law, James McNabb, of the firm 
of McNabb & Smith, drayere of that city, with 
whom he staid about a month, when he pur- 
chased a half interest in his present business. 
Mr. Stewart is a Mason, belonging to Ai-cturus 
Lodge, No. 22; the Order of the Eastern Star; 
Petaluma Lodge, No. 100, K. of P., and the 
Junior Order of American Mechanics, No. 1. 



tICHOLAS CARRIGER, deceased.— The 
subject of this sketch was one of the 
earliest American pioneers of Sonoma 
County. His long residence and connection 
with Sonoma Yalley renders a review of his 
life of peculiar interest in the history of the 
county. He was born in Carter County, Ten- 
nessee, March 30, 1816. His father. Christian 
Carriger, was a native of Germany, who, early 
in life, came to the United States, where he re- 
ceived his education, married, and finally located 
in the county above mentioned. His mother. 
Eliza (Ward) Carriger, was a native of England. 
Mr. Carriger remained in the county of his 
birth, attending school and working in a fiour 
mill and distillery until he reached the age of 
nineteen years, when he volunteered in the First 
Regiment of Tennessee Mounted Volunteers, 
Captain J. Powell's company, being mustered 
into service for the Florida war by General John 
E. Wool, of the United State army, at Athens, 
Tennessee. This was on June 26, 1835, re- 
ceiving an honorable discharge therefrom one 
year after. He then went into the iron man- 
ufacturing business cfn his father's property in 



HISTORY OF HONOMA COUNTY. 



his native county, where he continued until 
2s'oveinher, 1840, then emigrating to "Warren 
Count}', Missonri, where he engaged in the 
stemming of tobacco and other affairs. He 
then moved to Jackson County, Missouri, and 
remained there one year, when he transferred 
his residence to Buciianan County and hiter to 
Holt and Andrew counties, finally settling at 
Kound Prairie, where he took up a quarter- 
section of land, fenced it, eniered into the cul- 
tivation of hemp, tobacco and cereals, and there 
remained until 1846, when he once more was 
on the move. On April 27 of the latter year 
Mr. Carriger started from Round Prairie for 
California, and was joined at Oregon City, Holt 
County, by Captain Grieg, their number being 
further augmented on the journey by the addi 
tion of Major Cooper, the Indian agent at 
Council Elufi's. This is the same Major Cooper 
who is now a resident of Colusa County, and was 
judge of the court of first instance 'for the 
district of Sonoma in 1848, a gentleman well 
known in Sonoma County. With Mr. Carriger 
were his parents; only his mother, however, 
survived the journey, his father having died 
when crossing the Sierra Nevadas. Mrs. Car- 
riger, his mother, made Sonoma County her 
liome until her death, which occurred in 
1863. "We make the following extract from a 
diary kept by the subject of this sketch, now 
in his family: "21st September, 1846. We 
struck the mountains. Distressing bad road; 
eight miles to the higii California mountains, 
and got eight wagons up. 22d. Made a roller 
and fastened chains together and pulled the 
wagons, with thirty-two yoke of oxen at the bot- 
tom and twenty-five at the top. 23d. Hauling 
wagons. 24th. Traveled eight miles to the lake; 
distressing bad road. 25th. Laid by. 26th. 
Christian Carriger, the father of the writer, 
died. On the same day, Joseph Wardlow's 
wife died. On the same day, Mr. iV. Carriger's . 
daughter Catherine was born." Such is the sad j 
story of endurance and suffering told in honest 
and simple words, that appeal to sympathy far ' 
more forcibly than if clothed in the most affect- 



ing imagery. The first place at which the em- 
igrant band arrived in California was Johnson's 
ranch on Bear River, the stream being ferried 
at the spot now known as Fremont, situated at 
the moutli of the Feather River. Their place 
of destination was Sonoma, and the route lay 
by William Gordon's, now in Yolo Coiintv, 
John R. Wolfskin's on Putah Creek, Solano's 
Ranclierie at Rockville, George Yount's in Xapa, 
where they halted a few days, and thence Ijy 
Spanish trail into the valley of their hopes and 
fears. At the time of Mr. Carriger's arrival, 
all the young and able bodied men had joined 
Fremont; indeed, on the' route it was no un- 
common event for the younger male emigrants 
to flock to the standard of the Pathfinder. On 
his arrival, therefore, he was not to be behind- 
hand, and as all available soldiers had been 
dispatched to join the gallant Colonel and his 
California battalion, our new-comer entered the 
ranks of the nav\', a company of which were then 
quartered at Sonoma under Lieutenant Revere. 
Mr. Carriger served in this branch of the serv- 
ice under Lieutenant Maury, who succeeded 
Revere, and after being with them for some 
months, finally got his honorable discharge 
from Captain John B. Hull, United States 
navy, in March, 1847. It should be mentioned 
that, during his term of service, Mr. Carriger, 
in the ordinary routine of duty, carried the 
mail on horseback between Sonoma and San 
Rafael, and was also present on duty when the 
stones placed at the boundaries of the city of 
Benicia were put into position by Dr. Robert 
Semple. After his discharge from. the United 
States service Mr. Carriger located in the 
Pueblo of Sonoma. There he built the first red- 
wood building ever erected in Sonoma Valley. 
This house was an object of the greatest in- 
terest to the Indians andjnative Californians. It 
is still standing on Napa street and is in a good 
state of preservation. He was also the first of 
the Americans who planted vines and undertook 
the cultivation of grapes in Sonoma Valley. In 
1848, when the whole world was set wild with 
the news of the discovery of gold in California, 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



Oil 



Mr. Carriger was one of the .first to leave for 
the mines to try his luck. He started in com- 
pany with Joseph Wardlow, Elias Graham, 
Henry Thornton and others, for Mormon Isl- 
and, and there found certain Mormons before 
them, who claiined all the land and the right to 
mine there, by priority of i-esidence. The diffi- 
culty was, however, soon overcome by their 
being allowed to prosecute their work beyond a 
certain limit, and there, having been successful, 
they constructed a skin boat, and crossing the 
sti-eam porceeded to tiie south fork of the 
American River, staying there eleven days, 
when intelligence was received that the Span- 
iards and Indians had broken out into open 
rebellion in Sonoma; he therefore at once re- 
paired thither, to look after his family, and was 
the first to return from the mines with dust to 
that city or valley. In this year Mr. Carriger 
removed his family to Coloma, where tlie 
precious metal was first discovered, but he only 
kept them there for six weeks. He was the 
lucky discoverer of the Northern Kelsey and 
Auburn mines, and was, with his associates, 
the first to find gold in the Aubui-n district. 
We next find our hero prospecting on Sutter 
Creek, but they soon had to leave the vicinitj^ 
on account of Indians, who had become trouble 
some; they therefore proceeded high up on the 
middle fork of the American River, where they 
came across very rich diggings, three men in 
one day taking out as much as fifty pounds 
weight of gold. A serious accident now necessi- 
tated his leaving the mines, when he returned 
to Sonoma. In March, 1849, taking several 
Sonoma Indians with him, he returned to the 
mines at Auburn, and met those aboriginals 
who were implicated in the death of Mr. Hol- 
lingsworth and a preacher in Oregon; they at 
once gave chase, and not one escaped. When 
caught they were tried, found guilty and hanged 
to a limb close by on Bear River. At Auburn 
Mr. Carriger was fairly successful. He next 
went to Bear River and pursued his mining at 
Steep Hollow, ami ultimately returned to So- 
noma in 184'J. In 1850 he took a drove of 



cattle to Trinity County, the party being coin- 
posed of Mr. Carriger, his two brothers, Sol- 
omon and Caleb, and Dr. Storer, with eleven 
Indians; remained there until June, when he 
came back to Sonoma, and took up his residence 
on his rancli, about three miles west of the 
town. There Mr. Carriger spent the most of 
his days and years until his death, which 
occurred June 30, 1885. For more than thirty- 
five years Mr. Carriger was prominently con- 
nected with grape culture and the wine industry 
of Sonoma Valley. His energetic measures 
and practical business habits soon produced 
wonderful results. The wild and uncultivated 
lands were made to yield their dormant riches. 
His vineyards covered over 150 acres. The 
winery which he erected is a magnificent build- 
ing of three stories in height, the lower one 
being of stone, forming a capacious cellar, with 
a capacity of 180,000 gallons. His landed pos- 
sessions covered a thousand acres, upon the 
hills of which roamed his herds of stock, while 
the valley lands produced bountiful harvests of 
golden grain. His residence, a fine two-story 
building, beautifully located, gave a magnificent 
view of the valley stretching away to the foot- 
hills in the east and for miles in extent to the 
south. This magnificent farm is now (1888) 
under the control and direction of his widow 
who with several of the family reside upon the 
place. Mr. Carriger was one of the best known 
men of Sonoma Valley. A more staunch and 
genial friend, hospitable host or honest and up- 
right man did not exist than "Nick" Carriger, 
as his friends delighted in calling him. He 
was prominent and took a lead in all enterprises 
tending to develop the resources of his chosen 
valley. In political matters he was a Democrat, 
and while declining offices which his friends de- 
sired him to fill, his iiifluence was felt in the 
ranks of the party and always for what lie con- 
sidered to be for its best interests. He was for 
muny years the president of the Pioneer Asso- 
ciation of Sonoma County. In Andrew County, 
Missouri, September 29, 1842, Mr. Carriger 
was united in marriage with Miss Mary Ann 



613 



Hlt^TOKY OF aoNOMA COUNVy. 



WardloAv, a native of Highland County, Ohio, 
born November 21, 182G. She is the daughter 
of John ai d Elizabetli (Lance) Wardlow. Her 
father was a native of Scotland, and her mother 
of Germany. From this marriage there are 
livincr the followins: named children: Elizabeth 
Jane, born July 28, 1843, married Otto Schet- 
tev, residing in Oakland; Levisa, born January 
22, 1845, married L. L. Lewis, living in Sacra- 
mento; David AV.. born December 20, 1847; 
Albert J^>oggs, born February 13, 1850, both re- 
siding on the old homestead; Lonisa L., born 
January 23, 1852, married M. Powell, residing 
at Mark West; Eva N., born March 13, 1854, 
married C. A. Tufts, living in Sacramento; 
William W., born August 25, 1857, living on 
the old homestead; Emma, born July 8, 1858, 
married John Carriger (deceased), residing in 
Kansas; and Solomon H., born May 11, 1862, j 
residing in Sonoma. The two deceased children 
were Sarah Catherine, born in the Sierra Xeva- 
das, September 2G, 1846, died December of the 
same year, and John, born February 11, 1850 
who died September 5, 1857. 

1!!|EMUS RILEY GALE was born near 
InOT Arrow Rock, Cooper County, Missouri, 
W^ January 17, 1855. Two years after, his 
parents moved to northeastern Missouri, and 
settled near Memphis, Scotland County. Uere 
he grew up, passing his time in working on the 
farm, and occasionally attending the district 
schools. His opportunities for ;.cquiring an 
education were, however, few, as the humble 
circumstances of the family required the help of 
himself and older brother John, as soon as they 
were able to "hoe corn" and "chop wood.'' 
But notwithstanding this he found time to read 
books, which proved to be of great practical 
benefit to him afterward. Among these books 
(the most of them borrowed from acquaintances) 
were "Napoleon and his Marshals," "Abridged 
History of the United States," "Hume's His- 
tory of England," "Struggles and Triumphs of 



P. T. Barnum," "Life of Washington," and 
" Paley's Natural Theology." These books were 
read and re-read by young Gale at such leisure 
time as he had. Another book in which he 
took a special delight was "Sargent's Life of 
Henry Clay." The history of ihe struggles of 
Clay, together with the many stories of the 
early life of J. Proctor Knott as told by Riley 
Gale, father of the subject of this sketch, who 
was an intimate friend and acquaintance of 
"Proc," did raucli to shape tlie course of life 
and to arouse the ambition of this youth. In 
May, 1875, he left his old home in Missouri 
and came to California, resolved to obtain an 
education if possible. Arriving at Petaluma 
with a few dollars of borrowed money, a small 
valise of clothing and a few books, he sought 
and soon found employment on a farm near 
Petaluma. For a year and a half he worked 
near Petaluma at whatever employment he 
could find, sending a portion of his earnings 
home to help the family along. With the 
means he had thus earned he entered Christian 
College at Santa Kosa, and pursued chiefly a 
literary and classical course, spending his vaca- 
tions at work in the harvest fields. Having 
secured a teacher's certificate, he began teach- 
ing school near Petaluma in the spring of 1879, 
and continued in this profession till the spring 
of 1884, studying law in the meantime during 
leisure hours. Upon examination he was ad- 
mitted to the Supreme Court of California in 
the fall of 1883. Desirous of prosecuting 
more thoroughly and systematically his law 
studies, he then went to Washington, D. C, 
with the means he had acquired by teaching 
school, and there entered Columbian University 
where he graduated with the degree of Bache- 
lor of Laws. He then went to New Haven, 
Connecticut, with the balance of his slender 
means, and entered Yale College, where he 
graduated with the degree of Master of Laws, 
and was awarded the prize law books by that 
institution. It was only by the exercise of the 
most rigid economy that he was able to pay his 
wav through this school. The fall of 1886 



U18T0HY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



found him back in Petaliima, but penniless. 
Through the favor of Henry Gherkins, proprie- 
tor of the Union Hotel in Petalunia, he was 
given board and lodging until he could "look 
around," the proprietor promising to virait for 
his pay. On the same day the young attorney 
called on J. Campbell, an old Petaluma mer- 
chant, and explained his situation. The kind- 
hearted merchant sold him a few necessary arti- 
cles of clothing, promising to wait till they 
could be paid for out of the yet-to-be-earned 
fees of the lawyer. After considerable effort, 
fiiiling to get a place in any of the law offices 
in Petaluma, and having no means to furnish a 
law office of his own, he went to Santa Kosa, 
where he called on several Santa Rosa lawyers, 
with the view of getting a place for a time in a 
law office. But all efforts in this direction 
seemed about to fail. The penniless lawyer at 
last sought William E. McConnell, Esq., of the 
Santa Rosa bar, who listened attentively to his 
application, and at once gave him a place in his 
office, and permitted him to hang out his sign. 
He next secured a small room for lodging at a 
cost of one dollar per week. His fare was of 
the simplest and plainest character, obtained at 
a Mendocino street restaurant. It was a case of 
" live within your means," and a case of small 
means. For a period of nearly four months it 
was with the greatest difiiculty that enough 
could be earned to defray the expenses of board 
and lodging, but becoming gradually better 
acquainted, his practice of law increased. The 
debts of Gherkins and Campbell were paid. A 
much-needed new coat and pair of shoes took 
the place of the old. Tiie young attorney no 
longer avoided public gaze on Sunday, on 
account of his old clothes. He now occasion- 
ally attended socials, to which he had often 
before been invited, but could not go. His 
business was materially increased by his be- 
coming assistant district attorney under Dis- 
trict Attorney George Pearce, about this time. 
In June, 1887, Mr. Gale formed a law copart- 
nership with A. G. Burnett, Esq. The two 
men were lironght together by the rehationship 



which had existed between them, Mr. Burnett 
having been Mr. Gale's teacher in Christian 
College a few years before. It was the custom 
of Mr. Gale, during the first three or four 
months of his stay in Santa Rosa, to attend 
evening services at a " little church around the 
corner." He was always the first at church in 
the evening, and the first away, as he thought 
his coat and shoes were not well suited to stand 
comparison with " John Wanamaker's best." 
Here he often saw a lady enter the church, walk 
briskly up the aisle, and take her place in the 
church choir. Several months elapsed before 
they became acquainted. The sequel is, how- 
ever, that on the 3d of October, 1888, this lady. 
Miss Carrie England, of Santa Rosa, and Mr. 
Gale were married. December 31, 1888, the 
law copartnership existing between Gale and 
Burnett was dissolved, Mr. Burnett having been 
elected district attorney of Sonoma County. 
Mr. Gale is now alone in a thriving law prac- 
tice, and has a beautiful little honie of his own 
on Third street in Santa Rosa. Mr. Gale has 
three uncles in Sonoma County*: Dow, Otis and 
Demus Gale, who are old Californians. He has 
also three brothers in this State: Dr. John P. 
Gale, of Colusa County, and Albert and Lee 
Gale, of Sonoma County. 



fHILIP HENRY VOLLMAR, proprietor 
of VoUmar's Hotel at Embarcadero, was 
born in the Duchy of Holstein, now a 
part of the German Empire, November 25, 
1835. His father died when he was but a 
child, after which he was taken into the fam- 
ily of John Asmus, and by him reared and given 
fair educational and other advantages. Reacli- 
ing the age of nineteen years, possessed of an 
adventurous spirit, and having heard much of 
the land of the free, across the ocean, he re- 
solved to emigrate to the United States. Mak- 
ing his way with little difficulty to Liverpool, 
he embarked on the sail vessel Grand Western, 
and reached New 'I'ork City after a tedious 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



voyjige of t'urty days. Entirely unacquainted 
with tlie English language, not many avenues 
of employment were open to him, but he soon 
apprenticed himself to the grocer's trade in 
Brooklyn. His strict attention to business so 
won upon his employer that in April, 1856, he 
was made by him head clerk in another estab- 
lishment of his, in New York City. But the 
same spirit of adventure which had led Mr. 
A'ollmar to leave his native land, caused him, in 
October, 1857, to come to the Golden State. At 
Flacerville he engaged in placer mining, which 
occupation in and around " Hangtown " he con- 
tinued until the spring of 1858, when he was 
drawn into the whirlpool of excitement over the 
supposed wealth of gold on Frazier River, Brit- 
ish Columbia. The privations, hardships, sick- 
ness and sufferings endured by Mr. Vollmar the 
following year would have killed any man not 
possessed of the indomitable will and iron con- 
stitution which were his in those days. Crip- 
pled for life, health impaired beyond all but 
partial recovery, those months spent on Frazier 
River in pursuit of the phantom goddess,wealth, 
are only recalled with sadness. His foster- 
brother, John Asmus, Jr., had preceded him to 
America and to California several years. He 
was the eldest by twelve years or more. They 
joined their fortunes in the expedition to the 
Frazier River. It will be impossible here to 
give in detail the history of that expedition. 
Their lirst attempt to reach the mines, as part 
of a party of six owning in common their own 
row-boat, stocked with tools and six months' 
provisions, and everything needed for use and 
comfort, was frustrated by wrecking their boat 
in the rapids met in the ascent of Harrison 
River. All was lost but two sacks of flour — all 
weapons of offence and defence, tools, clothing, 
etc., leaving them entirely destitute. The escape 
from death of the whole party was almost mirac- 
ulous and with Mr. Vollmar very narrow. At 
first attempts to go on were made, but all had to 
be abandoned, though a portion of the party 
united with other parties and kept on. The 
return of Mr. Vollmar and his foster-brother 



to Victoria in their defenseless and destitute 
condition was attended with extreme suffering 
and great danger. Their boat they recovered 
and had that to float them. One night when 
they were surrounded by Chinook Indians, who, 
observing their defenseless condition, evidently 
decided to massacre them to obtain their boat 
and few valuables, they were saved by the 
inimitable power possessed by Mr. Vollmar 
of mimicry. No animal known tu him lives, 
whose voice or call he can not mimic to 
perfection. The Indians looked upon him as a 
witch or " medicine man," gifted with marvel- 
ous powers. An opportunity occurring, they 
hastily embarked and in the darkness escaped 
down the river. Reachir.g Victoria, a rest was 
made, when, refitting and reorganizing, the sec- 
ond and successful attempt to reach mining 
ground was made, this time by ascending Fra- 
zier River direct. Twenty-two miles above Fort 
Yale, the party established a mining camp, 
which could be reached only with great diffi- 
culty, a long portage constituting the last stage 
of the journey. Supplies were obtained at great 
cost on account of the labor of the portage, and 
the mines prosecuted with the utmost energy 
hardly realized 83 per day to the man. Finally, 
November 23, 1858, a sad accident occurred 
which placed Mr. Vollmar's life in peril for 
many months and crippled him for life. While 
at work a detached bowlder crushed him to the 
earth, catching him by the right foot and crush- 
ing his ankle and right leg. He was conveyed 
to the substantial though rude log cabin which 
they had erected, and there compelled to spend 
the followiug winter, without medical aid of 
any kind but the rndest. Scurvy added to his 
misery and danger, though toward spring four 
pounds of potatoes were obtained at a fabulous 
price, which materially benefited him. March 
11th, Mr. Vollmar was carried from camp by 
his partners and taken to Fort Yale, they re- 
turning to the diggings. He by easy stages 
was transported by boats down the river and to 
Victoria, where the next nine months he was 
treated in hospital. Late in that year (1859) lie 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY 



reached San Francisco, able to walk with the aid 
of a crutch and cane. Out near the old Mission 
he spent about fourteen months, with John Her- 
man. Mr. Vollrnar with characteristic energy 
soon began to do light work, and the following 
few years he found light employment and 
labored to repay $200 indebtedness to his foster- 
I)rotlier. After driving a milk wagon eighteen 
months, and having saved $600 he, in partner- 
ship with his foster-brother, in 1863, rented 
iifty acres of land near tiie Ocean House. 
Their labors came to naught, the extreme 
drought of that year almost entirely ruined 
their crops, and the close of the season found 
Mr. VoUmar minus his investment. Again he 
commenced at the foot of the ladder, finan- 
cially, but with characteristic energy, so well 
succeeded that, in 1868, he bought an interest 
in a grocery store 07i the northwest corner of 
Eighth and Howard streets, San Francisco, and 
continued in that business until 1872. He then 
bought the hotel property he now owns and oc- 
cupies at Embarcadero. Mr. Vollmar has made 
improvements and additions to his property, 
and has been successful in its management, as 
well as in winning by his genial accommodating 
ways the good opinion of all who know him. 
He is well known in Sonoma Valley, and is met 
at his home and otherwhere by kindly greeting 
from hosts of friends. His wife, formerly Miss 
Mary Volk, a native of Germany, he wedded 
in San Francisco in 1871. They have one 
daughter. Flora, now sixteen years of age. Mr. 
Vollmar is a member of Sonoma Lodge, No. 28, 
I. O. O. F. Both himself and wife have taken 
the Kebecca degree in Verdont Lodge, No. 99. 



fHARLES W. WOODWARD, confectioner, 
No. 619, Fourth street, has been in the 
business in Santa Rosa since April 10, 
1885. He manufactures all grades of candies, 
except part of the steam-made goods, and makes 
by far the larger variety of confectionery goods 
he handles. He also manufactures large (pian- 



tities of ice cream which is done by steam, his 
steam engine being one of the only two used 
exclusively for the manufacture of ice cream. 
His yearly output is from twelve to fifteen hun- 
dred gallons. In connection with his icecream 
manufactory he makes ice waters, Roman 
Punch and other cooling temperance bever- 
ages. Resides his salesroom and factory he has 
tastefully furnished an ice cream parlor for liis 
city customers. Mr. Woodward has both a re- 
tail and wholesale trade in candy, his wholesale 
trade extending throughout Lake and Mendo- 
cino Counties, as well as Sonoma County. Mr. 
Woodward's father was a native of New Jersey, 
and his mother of Long Island. They moved 
west and settled near Mansfield, Ohio, in 1826, 
and thence to Noble County, Indiana, where 
the subject of this sketch was born. Mr. Wood- 
ward has been a resident of Sonoma County 
since October 25, 1865. For many years he 
was employed as a salesman in general merchan- 
dising establishments, and was engaged in the 
grocery business on his own account from 1876 
till 1880. In Santa Rosa, in 1868, he married 
Miss Mathews, a native ot Missouri, who came 
to this State in 1859. She died of consump- 
tion in Healdsburg, in January, 1885, leaving 
two sons, George A. and Frederick, aged nine- 
teen and twelve years respectively. Mr. Wood- 
I ward is a member of the I.O. O. F. and K. of P. 



l^ETER N. STOFEN.- The subject of this 
W^ sketch has the past twenty-five years been 
^)C one of Sonoma Valley's active, enterpris- 
ing, public-spirited citizens. He dates his birth 
in the Duchy of Holstein, now a part of the 
German Empire, May 29, 1836, son of Wilken 
and Catherine Stofen. When seventeen years 
of age, in company with his brother, John J. 
Stofen, two years older than himself, he left the 
old home, and as sailor lads they shipped be- 
fore the mast, and started in life for themselves 
as sailors on a merchant vessel. They reached 
San Francisco in 1856. iiidding farewell to 



616 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



ocean life they went to Tnolumne County and 
engaged with fair success in mining until 1861, 
when, returning to San Francisco, they found 
employment until June, 1863. Then they 
located at Embarcadero, or San Luis as it is 
perhaps more properly called. There in co- 
partnership they became the owners of 190 
acres of land, and established what is known as 
Stofen's Landing, on Sonoma Creek, and became 
actively engaged in the carrying and passenger 
trade between Sonoma Valley and San Fran- 
cisco. Each of the brothers built for himself a 
tine cottage home, which was soon surrounded 
by shade and ornamental trees. A portion of 
their land was devoted to fruit culture, but the 
greater part was devoted to general purposes. 
The shipping business grew with the produc- 
tions of the valley and became large and lucra- 
tive, necessitating the building of four ware 
houses and the owning of several schooners 
and barges; finally the steamer Sonoma, owned 
by the brothers, was placed in the trade in 
1874. The Stofen brothers were widely known, 
and for their energy and honorable dealing and 
enterprise in meeting all demands upon them 
in a business way, will always be well and fav- 
orably remembered. The advent of the Sonoma 
Yalley Railroad commenced the period of de- 
cline in the water carrying trade of the valley's 
products. Still the business is kept up, two 
vessels being employed in making regular trips 
to San Franeiscu. John J.-Stofen now resides 
in San Francisco and is the master of the gov- 
ernment steamer, General McDoicell. Peter 
N. Stofen, whose name heads this sketch, was 
united in marriage November 9, 1875, with 
Miss Dora Thiesson, who was also born in 
the Duchy of Ilolstein. She has resided in 
California since sixteen years of age. They 
have two children, Meta and William. Mrs. 
Stofen is a cultured lady, much respected by all 
who know her. She is the worthy matron of 
the " Valley of the Moon " Chapter, No. 85, 
Eastern Star, a Masonic organization. Mr. 
Stofen is also a member of the same organiza- 
tion, and of Temple Lodge, No. 14. F. & A. M., 



having served the lodge as secretary, senior and 
junior warden. He is also a member of the A. 
O. U. W., No. 168, Pueblo Lodge, and of the 
Master Mariners Benevolent Association, of 
San Francisco. Mr. Stofen's parents and a 
younger brother, Herman W., now a resident of 
San Francisco, also an older sister, Mrs. Mar- 
garet Stademan, now a resident of Embarcadero, 
joined him in 1870. Both of his parents lived 
to a ripe age, his mother dying in 1883, aged 
seveuty-eight years, and his father dying De- 
cember 6, 1886, aged eighty-six years. He was 
remarkably strong physically and mentally to 
the last, and died of heart disease, without a 
moment's sickness. November 6, 1888, Mr. 
Stofen was honored by the votes of Sonoma 
County, by being elected county treasurer, on 
the Democratic ticket, by a vote flattering and 
complimentary to himself. Since his taking 
possession of the office he has been a resident of 
Santa Rosa. His many warm friends in So- 
noma Valley and otherwheres predict for him 
an honorable career as a public ofiicer. 



>~^-<i- 



tOBEPtT W. BELL, proprietor of the Santa 
Rosa nurseries, successor to Luther Bur- 
bank, is a native of Britain, but resided 
in Canada for twenty years prior to 1877, when 
he came to Santa Rosa. He afterward removed 
to Napa Valley and spent some time there en- 
gaged in fruit culture, returning to Santa Rosa 
in September, 1885. In April, 1888, he pur- 
chased the Santa Rosa nurseries from Mr. Bur- 
bank. These nurseries were established by Mr. 
Burbank ten years ago, and since that time 
have gained a State, and even a national reputa- 
tion. The trees from these nurseries are free 
from the insect pests which affect nurseries in 
many parts of the State. They are grown 
without irrigation, and hence are much better 
rooted than those produced by the irrigation 
method. Mr. Bell has made fruit culture a 
study for a large part of his life, and is passion- 
ately fond of his chosen calling. Besides the 



HI8T0BT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



grounds on Tiipper street, he has lately added 
twenty-two and one-lialf acres of choice sedi- 
ment land, well adapted to the nursery busi- 
ness, and located one mile west of the city. 
Being entirely isolated from other orchards he 
can guard against insect pests that might be 
projiagated by shiftless neighbors; and the land 
being new, will produce healthy, vigorous trees, 
thus enabling him to maintain the enviable 
reputation which these nurseries already pos- 
sess. Mr. Bell is determined to earn and de- 
serve a reputation for reliability which is so 
essential in this business, wdiere dishonesty 
cannot be detected for some years. He employs 
a foreman, who was for many years foreman for 
Mr. Burbank. He expects to have over a mill- 
ion of fruit, shade and ornamental trees and 
plants for the season of 1889-'90, and, as busi- 
iicss may demand, will continue to enlarge his 
nurseries. May his shadow never grow less. 



fRTHUR L. WHITNEY & CO.— The above 
named firm, one of the largest, if not the 
,,, largest grocers, shippers and commission 
merchants in the city of Petaluma, consists of A. 
L. a;id C. E. Whitney. The business was first 
started by A. P. Whitney and I. D. Cross, who 
remained together about one year, when Mr. 
Cross sold his interest to George Lamoreaux, 
and the business continued under the firm name 
of AVhitney & Lamoreaux. About a year later 
Mr. Whitney became the sole proprietor and 
remained alone for some time when H. T. 
Fairbanks purchased an interest and the firm 
became Wiiitney & Fairbanks. This partner- 
sliip lasted about a year and a half, wiien Mr. 
AVhitney again became the sole proprietor and 
continued as such up to the time of his death 
in 188-1, when his sons, A. L. and C. E. Wiiit- 
ney succeeded to the business and the name 
changed to what it now is. Their business in 
San Francisco, under the firm name of C. E. 
AViiitney ik Co., dairy produce and provisions, 
corner of California and Davis streets, is one of 



the largest in that city, and is a solid, substan- 
tial house. Arthur L. Whitney, the manager 
of the house in Petaluma, was born in Kingston, 
Minnesota, May 26, 1858. He came to Peta- 
luma with his mother and the family in 1861, 
his father, A. P. Whitney, being here at that 
time, having come in the fall of 1858. Arthur 
was reared in Petaluma, attended the public 
schools of that city, and graduated May 26, 
1876. He next entered the University of Cali- 
fornia at Berkeley, and graduated from that 
institution June 2, 1880, receiving the degree 
Ph. B., also just before graduating, received the 
commission as Captain of the University Corps 
of Cadets. After a short course at Heald's 
Business College he returned to Petaluma and 
entered tiie employ of his father, with whom he 
remained two years, when he went to San Fran- 
cisco and became associated in business with his 
brother under the firm name of C. E. AViiitney 
& Co. He remained there until his father's 
death in 1884, when he assumed the manage- 
ment of the business in Petaluma under the 
name of Arthur L. AVhitney ct Co., at the same 
time retaining his interest in the firm in San 
P'rancisco. Mr. Whitney is a Knight Templar, 
belonging to Mt. Olivet Commandery, No. 20, 
of Petaluma. He was united in marriage No- 
vember 23, 1882, with Anna B. St. John, step- 
daughter of E. Uenman, president of the Bank 
of Sonoma County. They have two sons — 
Arthur St. John and Leslie Denman. 



I^ON. ROBERT HOWE._The subject of 
^m\ this sketch is well known in California's 
^sll business and political circles, having been 
over a third of a century identified with the 
State, and at the present time one of the most 
active and progressive men of Sonoma County. 
It is fitting that more than a passing mention 
of him should be made in this historical work. 
A brief review of his life gives the following 
facts: He was born in the city of New York, 
October 23, 1831, and was educated and reared 



618 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY 



in tliat city. In February, 1853, he embarked 
for California, via the Isthmus route. From 
Panama, on the old steamer Tennessee, he was 
a passenger bound for San Francisco. The ill- 
starred steamer was destined never to reach her 
destination, for March 6, in a dense fog, siie lost 
her reckonings and ran ashore at Tagus beach, 
Bolinas Bay, Marin County, at a point ever 
since known as Tennessee Cove. The passen- 
gers and their effects were all saved. The first 
nine years of Mr. Howe's residence in California 
were spent in mining in Tuolumne County. He 
then returned to ISfew York City and remained 
in the East until 1856, when, returning to this 
State, he again made his home in Tuolumne 
County. In that county, in 1858, he was elect- 
ed on the Democratic ticket to the Assembly of 
the State, and in 1859 was re-elected. In 1859 
Mr. Howe was united in marriage with Miss 
Mary Ellen Hammond, who was born in the 
State of Tennessee, but from girlhood was reared 
in California. In 1862 Mr. Howe became a 
resident and an active business man of San 
Francisco and one of the city's leading public 
men. As one of the tirm of J. W. Gale & Co., 
commission merchants, he engaged in business 
on Davis Street. In 1869 the firm became 
Howe & Hall. Many years this well-known 
firm did an extensive business with correspond- 
ents in many different parts of the Pacific coast. 
The firm was dissolved in 1882, Mr. Howe, 
however, continuing the business until January 
1, 1884. In 1873, when San Francisco elected 
twelve members of the Assembly at large, or 
upon one ticket, Mr. Howe was a nominee npon 
the Democratic ticket, and the only one on the 
ticket of twelve who was elected, a fact the 
mere statement of which is a great compliment 
to him. In 1875 he was elected one of the 
city's representatives in the State Senate, serv- 
ing four years to the satisfaction of his con- 
stituents, during which time he acted upon 
many important committees, and was chairman 
on the committee on commerce and navigation. 
In 1872 Mr. Howe and his partner, Mr. Hall, 
bought 100 acres of choice valley land, two miles 



south of the old historic town of Sonoma, in 
this county, and at once commenced its im- 
provement. From time to time they added to 
this purchase until they owned an estate of 
nearly 400 acres. This property was equally 
divided by the partners in 1885, Mr. Howe 
having the year previous established his home 
upon the portion he now owns. " Eden Dale," 
the name of this place, is one of the finest rural 
properties to be found in Sonoma County. Tiie 
estate of 200 acres is under a high state of cul- 
tivation, and all in orchard or vine^'ard, seventy- 
five acres being devoted to deciduous fruits, 
including twenty acres planted with quince 
trees, the largest quince orchard in the United 
States. Tills orchard was planted by Mr. Howe 
in 1877. The crop of quinces for 1887 was 
fully 175 tons. Peaches and pears form a large 
portion of the annual production, 3,000 bo.xes 
of pears being marketed in 1887. Tiie elegant 
residence, commodious, substantial, furnished 
and finished with regard only to comfort and 
convenience, was erected in 1879. All the 
building improvements are noticeably good and 
all help to make " Eden Dale" a charming pic- 
ture of a delightful rural home. Sonoma Creek 
passes from the north to the soutli through the 
estate, and upun its banki near the southern 
boundary of the property, stands a historic 
building, erected in the early days, before Cali- 
fornia was a State. It is 40 x 40 feet, and is a 
story and a half high. It is substantially built 
of hewed square ti mber and hewed boards, and 
originally had not a nail, spike, or iron of any 
kind in any of its parts. In the old time it was 
used as a fiour-mill, but is now occupied by men 
in the employ of Mr. Howe. The public career of 
Mr. Howe was not ended with his coming to So- 
nomaCounty. November 6, 1888, he was elected 
to the Assembly from the Twenty-fifth Assembly 
district, by a vote peculiarly complimentary to 
him. Generally voting Republican the district 
gave him a handsome majority and elected him 
by a vote exceeding the vote for the Democratic 
electoral ticket of nearly 100, and upon the 
organization of the Assembly he was elected its 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNT y. 



Speaker, an office in which he served with con- 
spicuous and marked ability. Mr. Howe is 
identified witii the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, a member of Unity Lodge, and of 
Oriental Encampment of San Francisco. Hav- 
ing passed the chairs of his lodge, he is a 
nieuiber of the Grand Lodge of the State. Val- 
ley Lodge of San Francisco, A. O. U. W., the 
largest in America, numbering over 1,000, also 
claims him as a member. The names of the 
children of Mr. and Mrs. Howe, in order of 
their birth, are: Mary, wife of Charles Wauga- 
man; Lydia, wife of Asa Waugaman ; Nellie, 
Dora, Zarifa and Kobert. 



i^'^. 



^•^^- 



fRRlN HOWELL.— The subject of this 
sketch was born in Delaware County, 
New York, January 15, 1839, where he 
resided until 1857, in which year he emigrated, 
by way of Panama, to California, arriving at 
San Francisco in August of the same year. He 
engaged at once as clerk in a wholesale grocery 
store. This occupation he followed about 
eighteen months. He then clerked for J. H. 
Whiton & Co., in Cloverdale, Sonoma County, 
for the same length of time. We next find him 
in Humboldt County, where he remained until 
1862, when he removed to Mendocino County, 
and, after i-emaining there two years, he went 
to Oregon, where he remained for over a year. 
He then returned to San Francisco, and in 1868 
he again took up his residence in Mendocino 
County, at Hopland, where he resided until 
1886. He then removed to Sonoma County, 
and opened a grocery store at Santa Rosa, in 
the Athenenm building, in partnership with A. 
Bryant, the linn name being Howell & Bryant. 
Mr. Howell is now a member of the Santa Rosa 
city council, and an active and energetic man 
in all matters of public concern to Santa Rosa 
and the county at large. May 11, 1871, Mr. 
Howell was united in marriage with Miss Liz- 
zie, daugliter of S. M. Brooks, of San Fran- 
cisco, who was born in Chicago, Illinois, Sep- 



tember 14, 1847. The result of this union is 
si.\ children, twodaughters and four sons. Clara 
was born March 14, 1872; John, November 9, 
1874; Walter, March 9, 1877; Frank, January 
31, 1879; Eva, February 4, 1881; and Fred., 
March 31, 1884. Mr. Ho^^ ell is a man of high 
standing in the community in which he lives 
and is a genuine type of the self-made man. 



Ig^ENRY WINKLE.— Winkle's vineyard 
llWl ^'^^'^ ^"*^ one-half miles east of Sonoma, 
^(| consists of 110 acres, and, although not 
the largest, is one of the best improved proper- 
ties in Sonoma Valley or Sonoma County. Mr. 
Winkle's fine cottage residence is approached 
by an avenue leading north from the Sonoma 
and Napa road, nearly 400 rods of the avenue 
being shaded by Lombardy poplars. Mr. 
Winkle purchased the property and commenced 
its further improvement in 1869, he being at 
that time a resident of San Francisco. In 1876 
he established his residence upon it, since which 
time his almost undivided attention has been 
given to its care and development. His wine 
cellar, a model in architecture and equipment, 
was erected at a cost of $20,000, in 1871. His 
distillery, a building also perfect in all its 
appointments, was erected in 1873. Water for 
use in all his establishments and grounds sur- 
rounding is piped in abundance from wells in 
the neighboring hills. The reader will under- 
stand something of the excellence of this ranch, 
when told that it represents an investment of 
nearly §80,000. Mr. Winkle dates his birth in 
Hesse Cassel, Germany, March 10, 1821, and is 
the son of William Winkle. He was reared to 
an agricultural life, and given good educational 
advantages. Resolving upon emigrating to 
the United States, he landed at New York City 
in the winter of 1840. There he learned the 
baker's trade, and remained in that city until 
the autumn of 1843, going thence to Florida, 
where he engaged one year in the hotel busi- 
ness. From there he went to Fort Gaines, 



HISTORT OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



Georgia, and spent two years in the bakery 
business. In 1846 he returned to Pensacola, 
Florida, where he remained until 1840, engaged 
in a bakery and grocery. In October of tlie 
latter year he came, via the Panama route, to 
San Francisco, arriving in March, 1850, having 
spent three months in Panama. He located in 
Sacramento, opened a bakery and coffee restaurant 
and alsoengaged in the real estate business. No- 
vember 2, 1852, the whole city of Sacramento 
was destroyed by fire, and Mr. Winkle was a 
heavy loser. He rebuilt shortly after, with 
enormous expense for material, and one month 
later in December, 1852, and January, 1853, the 
city was overflooded, so people had to move into the 
second story of their buildings, and Mr. Winkle 
was financially ruined, property decreasing in 
value to fifteen and twenty cents on the dollar. In 
1854 he went to San Francisco, and on the cor- 
ner of Vallejo and Battery streets, opened 
" Winkle's Bakery," where he conducted a large 
business until 1871. Later he became engaged 
in the wine and liquor business. It should be 
further stated, in connection with the enter- 
prises with which Mr. Winkle has been con- 
nected, that he manutactiired the first cement 
made on this coast. During his residence in 
Sati Francisco the buying and selling of real 
estate made no small part of his business, in 
fact, he is yet the owner of quite large specula- 
tive interests. His wife, Mrs. Emma (Steude- 
man) Winkle, is a lady of German birth. 

I^TflLLIAM G. KACKLIFF has a ranch 
^^?1af|| of sixty-eight acres on Dry Creek, 
l*=§^r^ seven miles from Healdsburg. Twelve 
acres are in grapes, consisting of Zinfandel, 
Mataro, Malvoise, and a few Mission, the vines 
ranging in age from two to three years. He 
has three acres of peaches and French prunes, 
two years old, and a small orchard of old trees. 
Mr. Rackliff was born in Sonoma County, 
March 28, 1862, his parents being Peter K. and 
Lucinda (Higgins;^ Rackliff. Peter K. Rackliff 



was born in Lincolnville, Maine, and was a 
school teacher. He came to California, via 
Panama, early in the oO's, locating at Petaluma 
and teaching there and in that neighborhood 
for several years. He removed to Dry Creek 
in 1861, and after that followed farming as well 
as teaching. His wife was also a native of 
Maine. They were married in Lincolnville, 
Maine, in 1848. Mr. Rackliff died in May, 
1871, and his wife in June, 1885. They had 
six children, of whom three are living, viz.: 
Eugene, Ella, wife of Will Litton, and William 
G., the subject of this sketch. The father was 
a Republican, and a member of the Masonic 
lodge of Healdsburg. William G. Rackliff was 
reared in the locality where he now resides, 
attending the schools of his neighborhood and 
Healdsburg for nine years. He has been at his 
present location since 1876. Mr. Rackliff is a 
member of Healdsburg Parlor, N. S. G. W., 
and, like his fathei- before him, is a staunch Re- 
publican. 



f^EONIDAS J. CRALLE was born April 
lyvf 12, 1818, in Campbell County, Virginia, 
^^ his parents being Lindscy and Nanoy 
(Rosser) Cralle, both natives of Virginia. His 
father was a descendant of a French family who 
came to Virginia at an early date. He died 
when Leonidas was but four years of age. The 
subject of this sketch was reared as a farmer 
until the age of eighteen years, at the same time 
receiving such an education as the public schools 
afforded. In his young manhood he took the 
sole charge of his mother's farm, where he be- 
came versed in all the practical duties of farm 
operations. Between the ages of eighteen and 
twenty years he took a course in a private high 
school. He made rapid progress, and later 
entered upon the study of law in the office of 
his brother-in-law, Edwin Bolton. In 1842 he 
moved to Union County, Kentucky, where he 
was admitted to the bar and practiced law until 
1840. In that year he came overland to Call- 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



t'ornia, arriving liere September 9, 1849. Mr. 
Cralle was almost penniless upon his arrival, 
but with his characteristic pluck he started as a 
miner on the Feather River. As an illustration 
of Mr. Cralle's speculative tendencies, and the 
manner in which business was couducted in the 
mines in the old times, the following is of in- 
terest. The second day after his arrival in the 
mines (his first day's "clean np" gave liim 
thirty-seven cents), a man who was working a 
claim hailed him and asked him if he did not 
want to liny him out. Mr. Cralle's financial 
status was such that he considered this proposition 
as merely amounting to an insult, and so told 
the claim-holder; but the man meant business, 
and after some talk over pro.spects, agreed to 
sell him the claim, tools and tent for about 
$1,300, and give him three days in which to 
pay foi' it. This verbal bargain was soon closed. 
Mr. Cralle hired a man and went witJi him into 
that claim, and in three days took out enough 
gold to pay for it. This same claim afterward 
yielded him several thousand dollars. Mr. 
Cralle conducted liis mining operations with 
varying success until 1854. He then located 
at Oakland, wliere he purchased 160 acres of 
land, and engaged in farming. He also entered 
into the practice of law at Oakland. In 1858 
he moved to Fresno County, and settled on 
King's River, where he engaged in stock-raising 
and orchard cultivation. In 18(30 he closed out 
his business there and moved to Mono County, 
wliere he entered into mining and prospecting 
operations. He found many rich lodes of gold 
and silver, and in company witli three others 
put up a mill for the purpose of developing one 
of them, he doing the carpenter work. Imme- 
diately after the completion of the mill there 
was an Indian outbreak, and lie was one of the 
party who went out in defense of the wliite 
settlers. Fifty Indians and six whites were 
killed before hostilities ceased, whicli consumed 
three months' time, and wiien tliey returned to 
their cam]) they found their mill, with others, 
burned. He remained there until 1804, when 
he came to Sonoma County, and located on a 



farm near Petaluma. In 1804 he married Mrs. 
Nancy J. Middletoii, widow of William T. Mid- 
dleton, a farmer of Sonoma County. In 1867 
he moved to Santa Clara County, and there en- 
gaged in farming and stock-raising until 1870, 
when he returned to Sonoma County and located 
on his old place, where he lived two years. In 
1872 he purchased 800 acres of land in the 
mountains, about nine miles east of Santa Rosa, 
which he stocked with 500 Angora goats. lie 
conducted this enterprise until 1884, when he 
sold out and moved to Santa Rosa. Shortly 
after, in company with Mr. [leirshler, he bought 
320 acres of land near his old stock ranch, and 
planted 130 acres of grape vines. He also, in 
the same year, bought 174 acres of land on the 
Santa Rosa and Fulton road, four miles north- 
west of Santa Rosa, and two years later sold a 
half interest to William Benson. He subse- 
qutntly sold his interest in the 820-acre tract to 
his partner, Mr. Heirshler, and has since de- 
voted himself to the care and cultivation of the 
last purchase. One hundred and sixty-four acres 
of tiie land is devoted to vineyard, producing 
wine grapes of the Zinfa; del variety. There is 
also a small family vineyard, producing a large 
variety of choice table grapes. The rest of the 
land is used as a pasture for his stock. Mr. 
Cralle is a practical vineyardist. The intelli- 
gent care and attention he is devoting to his 
present enterprise is producing grand results, 
and he seems destined to build up one of the 
model vineyards of the county. Among the 
improvements on his place is a winery, having 
a capacity of over 70,000 gallons. Mr. Cralle 
is a California pioneer of '49. Nearly forty 
years of his life have been spent in the various 
counties of the State, and nearly half of that 
time in Sonoma County. He is a strong be- 
liever in the future prosperity and wealth of this 
"Garden of the World," and is ever ready to aid 
in any enterprise that will tend to advance the 
interests and welfare of the section in which he 
resides. He is a life-long Democrat, liberal and 
conservative in his views, and though not an 
office-seeker, he takes a deep interest in the sue- 



622 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



cess of the best elements of his party. Mrs. 
Cralle ha< one child by her previous marriage — 
Lillie Middleton, born February 12, 1857. She 
married A. M. Butler, and is now (1SS8) re- 
siding in Fresno County. 



fTEPHEK CORJvELL FOWLEFv was 
born in Lakeville, Queens County, Long 
Island, January 3, 1797. His ancestors 
were among the early settlers of the Island, and 
came from England a hundred years prior to 
the Revolutionary war. His father served with 
the militia in the war of 1812, and took part 
in the defense of the city of -New York and 
vicinity. He was married to Martha Fowler, 
on the 28th day of December, 1819, who died 
on the 25tli day of November following. He 
married Rebecca Lawrence, December 31, 1821. 
She was the eldest daughter of "Whitehead 
Lawrence, who was also descended from one of 
the early settlers of Long Island, and counted 
among his ancestors the Lawrence who first 
settled that portion long known as "Lawrence's 
Neck," now called College Point. The result 
of this marriage was ten children: Mary, born 
in 1822, died in 1823; Stephen Lawrence, 
born January 31, 1825, died at Valley Ford, 
California, March 4, 1868; Cornelia Wykoff, 
December 7, 1826; James Edgar, December 28, 
1828; Benjamin, May 25, 1832, died June 
14, 1833; Whitehead, May 5, 1834; Sarah 
Ann, February 14,1837; John Henry, Septem- 
14, 1839; Benjamin, December 17, 1841; 
jS'athaniel Darling, October 15, 1845. The two 
eldest sons, Stej^hen and James, were among the 
first who left New York for California when the 
news of the discovery of gold in the country 
reached there. They took passage on the ship 
BrooMyn, whicii sailed from that port Januaiy 
12, 1849, and arrived at San Francisco August 
12, 1849. Cornelia and Whitehead soon fol- 
lowed. The subject of this sketch embarked 
with his wife and the remaining portion of his 
family on board the clipper-ship Lookout, Cap- 



I tain John G. Joice, and sailed from New York, 
December 28, for San Francisco via Cape Horn, 
which port they entered safely May 6, 1S54, 
and on the 12th came, per steamer Reindeer, 
to Petaluma, thence by ox team to where the 
town of Valley Ford now stands. Having 
passed that period in life when they were ambi- 
tious to accumulate wealth, they built them a 
home around which they gathered fruits and 
flowers and every thing that was calculated to 

' make life pleasant in their declining years. 
Mother Fowler being the first female resident 
of the town, many still remember the generous 
hospitality of the old couple. On the 31st of 
December, 1871, with their children gathered 
around them, they celebrated, in a becoming 
manner, the anniversary of an event that took 
place just fifty years previous amid the quiet 
surroundings of their childhood home, having 
wandered toward the golden sunset and rested 
within hearing of the ceaseless roar of the Old 
Pacific. Mother Fowler, as she was called, died 
in April, 1884, at the advanced age of eighty- 
two years. As she passed peacefully away her 
last word was " Home." Mr. Fowler was a 
lover of his adopted State, an enthusiastic ad- 
mirer of her climate, and a firm believer in her 
destined greatness. Particularly was he at- 
tached to Sonoma County. He took a deep 
interest in all that pertained to the welfare and 
prosperity of the State, and willingly assisted 
in aiding every enterprise in the community 
in which he lived that seemed to him to have 
for its object the promotion of the public good. 
The Rev. Thomas Eraser, syuodical missionary, 
thus speaks of him in the Occident of January 
1, 1879: " Your fathers, where are they? and 
the prophets, do they live forever? He whose 
death was noticed in a recent issue of the Occi- 
dent, was one whom I dearly loved, the fatlier 
of a large and most estimable family, and truly 
a father in Israel. My acquaintance with him 
commenced in the spring of 1860, when he 
showed himself, as ever after, an humble, sincere 
and consistent Christian. Thoroughly attached 
to the Presbyterian church, he loved all good 



HISTORY OF aONOMA COUNTY. 



people, and was loved and respected by all who 
knew him. As a man, he was kind, just and 
true. As a Christian, he had remarkably clear 
preceptions of divine truth, with strong and 
positive convictions. His religious feelings 
were exceedingh' warm, easily excited and not 
easily controlled. As a friend of religion and 
supporter and officer of the church which he 
loved, all knew where Father Fowler stood. He 
was one of the original members and elders of 
the first Presbyterian church founded in this 
section of the country. As the work grew it 
became necessary to organize another church, 
and he was a member and elder of that until he 
died. During many years missionary work 
in Sonoma County, he was my warm and stead- 
fast friend. In his last sickness, which was ex- 
tremely painful and protracted, he waited 
patiently with childlike trust in his Savior for 
the relief which death only could afford. His 
last words to me were: 'I am waiting for Christ 
to take me to himself; you will soon hear that 
I am at home.' He died just before midnight, 
November 27, 1878, at the advanced age of 
eighty-one years, ten months and twenty-four 
days, and was buried in the cemetery at Bloom- 
field. His life was a worthy example of 
patience, industry, sobriety, humility and broth- 
erly love.'" 



■••■ % - 3 "I' ^ -'- 

fAMES E. FOWLER.— The subject of this 
sketch is the second son of Stephen C. and 
Rebecca Fowler. He was born in New 
York City, December 28, 182S, where he spent 
the most of his youth in acquiring an education. 
His father being a builder and contractor he 
adopted that occupation as a basis for future 
0[>eration8. Unlike many city youths James felt 
the restraint of city life and longed forsome new 
field where he thought he could use what talent 
he possessed to a better advantage. The fall 
of 1848 brought vague rumors of the discovery 
of gold in California. A few weeks of suspense 
and the most exaggerated stories of the wonder- 



ful wealth of the new El Dorado were confirmed. 
In company with his elder brother Stephen, he 
sailed in the old ship Brooklyn, January 12, 
18-19, with upward of 200 Argonauts on board, 
and as motley a crowd as ever ventured forth on 
old Neptune's broad domain. One hundred and 
twenty days brought them to the Island of Juan 
Fernandez where Alexander Selkirk spent four 
years solitary and alone, where his cave dug out 
of sandstone with its smoke begrimmed walls 
still stands as when he left it so many years ago. 
A few days spent there while the ship took in 
a supj)ly of fresh water, was like an oasis upon 
the desert. After ninety days of monotonous 
sea life varied by a burial at sea, and a narrow 
escape from shipwreck at the mouth of the 
Garcia River, they entered the Golden Gate 
with every thing set alow and aloft and came to 
anchor o])posite the canvas town of Terba 
Buena. Without a parting tear they left the 
old ship that had been their home for seven 
montiis. In a cozy little valley where they had 
wood and water convenient they pitched their 
tent. The Oriental Block now occupies the site. 
All kinds of labor were in demand, skilled or 
unskilled. Mechanics' wages were $12 per day. 
Laborers shoveling sand received $8 per day. 
The Fowlers erected several buildings by con- 
tract and, having accumulated quite a pile of 
doubloons, concluded to try mining, sailed up 
the Sacramento, organized a party, chartered a 
team for Dry Town, Amador County, mined 
successfully till January, 1850, when they sold 
out cabin, mining tools, rocker and entire out-fit, 
and packed their blankets on their backs and 
were once more on their way to San Francisco 
where they hoped to take part in rebuilding some 
of the burnt district j ust laid waste by the first great 
fire. A short time had wrought great changes, 
for it was only in its infancy and was yet the 
most cosmopolitan city in the world. After 
erecting a few small buildings they set sail for 
the new town of Marysville, built quicksilver 
machines for saving the fine gold on the lower 
Yuba, and later became interested in the new 
town of Plumas on Feather River, just laid out 



HISTOltY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



by Captain Sutter and G. H. Beach. Who 
could shove a jaek-phme while the stories of 
the fabulous wealth ot Gold Lake were being 
repeated every day? With all their worldly 
eflects upon a pack-in ule, they reached Downie- 
ville just in time to meet the victims of mis- 
placed confidence returning. However, nothing 
daunted, they went to work on the bar opposite 
the town. There was no credit asked or given. 
The old rocker paid cash every night; if they 
worked hard an ounce and a half was made. 
As winter was approaching this could not be 
continued. They returned to Plumas, were 
taken with the ague and could not shake it off. 
While in search of a more congenial climate 
they brought up on the table-land above Salmon 
Creek, in Bodega, and engaged in raising pota- 
toes. In the summer of 1852 Mr. Fowler 
bought land where A^alley Ford now stands. 
In the fall of. 1855, in company with George 
Stanley, he opened a restaurant in Petaluma. 
lie revisited the scenes of his childhood in the 
summer of 1857, and was married toCliarlotte E., 
daucrhter of Jacob and Sarah Palmer, of Morris 
County, Xew Jersey. On his return he settled 
down to agricultural pursuits, but that soon be- 
came too tame for one of his temperament and 
for fifteen years he was actively engaged in 
merchandising, lumberiig and farming. In 
1861 he built the residence in which himself, 
wife and daughter, Lottie Bertha, who was born 
March 3, 1864, still reside. In 1865 he erected 
the Good Templars Hall, in which Yalley Ford 
Lodge has met weekly ever since. He also as- 
sisted, financially, in building the church and 
all public improvements in the village. During 
the dark days of our national trouble, the 
Union had not a more staunch friend than Mr. 
Fowler. His liberality in aiding the Sanitary 
and Christian Commission fund was well known 
throughout the community. His home for 
more than a quarter of a century has been -an 
abiding place for the stranger and the homeless. 
Many will recall his genial welcome with pleas- 
ure. During his long residence in the county 
he has been interested in developing the re- 



sources of his section. He was among the 
prominent workers in bringing his district into 
railroad communication with San Francisco, 
having given the North Pacific Coast Railroad 
the right of way for a mile through his ranch. 
His farm of 340 acres has a fine orchard, con- 
taining nearly all varieties of fruit and berries 
that are raised in liis section. He has a dairy 
of sixty cows, and a considerable portion of the 
ranch is devoted to the production of hay and 
potatoes for market. Mr. Fowler has been long 
and favorably known as a true friend to religion 
and temperance, is honorable and upright in his 
business transactions. He has won for himself 
the confidence and friendship of a large circle 
of acquaintances all of whom unite in according 
him that respect and esteem to whicii he is so 
justly entitled. 



fTEPHEN L. FOWLER, deceased — 
Among the pioneers of California and 
earl}' settlers of Bodega Township, 
Sonoma County, was the subject of this sketch. 
His early advent into this county and the prom- 
inent position he occupied in his section entitles 
him to more than a passing mention in this his- 
torical work. Mr. Fowler was born in JS'ew 
York, January 31, 1825. His parents, Stephen 
C. and Rebecca (Lawrence) Fowler, were natives 
of the State of his birth, and his ancestors were 
among the early settlers of Long Island, having 
emigrated from England to the American colo- 
nies over 100 years prior to the Revolutionary 
war. Mr. Fowler was reared in New York City, 
and received a good education in the public 
schools, after which he served an apprenticeship 
as a carpenter, and as a journeyman engaged at 
his trade in New York City and also at Sag 
Harbor. In 1845 he engaged as ship's carpen- 
ter on board the ship Huron, bound on a 
whaling voyage on the northwest coast of the 
United States and Behring Sea. This voyage 
did not terminate until the spring of 1848. 
Upon his return to New York he engaged at 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



his trade in Brooklj'n -until early in 1849, when 
the first news of ihe discovery of gold in Cali- 
fornia reached New York. Young, ambitious 
and fond of adventure, he promptly decided to 
seek his fortune in tiie new EI Dorado of the 
West, and on January 12, 1849, he embarked 
with his brother, James E. Fowler, on tlie old 
ship BrooMijii, a vessel of but 450 tons, for a 
voyage round Cape Horn to California. Slow 
progress was made by this old ship, and it was 
not until four months after leaving New York 
that they reached the Island of Juan Fernandez. 
After a brief stop at tliat island the vessel pro- 
ceeded on her way to San Francisco. There 
were over 200 people on board of the Brooklyn, 
and wiien about sixty days from the island and 
a long way from San Francisco, all hands were 
put npon a short allowance of water. There 
was much suffering on board, as nearly all were 
affected with scurvy. The vessel also narrowly 
escaped being wrecked at the mouth of the Gar- 
cia River, and it was not until August 12, 1849, 
that they reached San Francisco, having spent 
seven months on the voyage. Upon his arrival 
in San Francisco, he and his brother located in 
Pleasant Vallej', pitching tlieir tents where now 
stands the Oriental Block in tiiat city. He 
readily found employment at from $12 to $16 
per day, but deeming it more profitable to en- 
gage in contracting and building, he went to 
work with his brother in that enterprise. Tiiey 
were successful and erected several frame build- 
ings in the vicinity of Clay and Montgomery 
streets. They were also engaged upon the first 
brick building ever erected in San Francisco. 
As the winter approached tlie oldest inhabitants 
predicted a season of unusual severity, and Mr. 
Fowler and his brother concluded it best to 
winter in tlie mountains. Tiiey therefore took 
passage on the schooner John Dunlap, for Sac- 
ramento, and from there, in company with 
several otiiers, they chartered a team and pro- 
ceeded to Dry Town, Amador County, where 
they engaged in mining. This enterprise was 
successthily conducted until the first great fire 
occurred in San Francisco. The prospect for 



paj-ing contracts in rebuilding tlie city induced 
them to abandon their mining operations and 
return to San Francisco. Upon reaching the 
city they found the rebuilding of the burnt dis- 
ti'icts nearly coinjileted. After erecting a few 
small buildings for Sam Brannan. they left San 
Francisco February 1, 1850, taking passage on 
the schooner Eclipse for Marysville. Upon 
their arrival the}' spent some time in making 
quicksilver machines for saving the fine gold on 
tiie lower Yuba River, after which they took up 
their residence in the new city of Plumas, a 
town laid out by Captain Sutter and G. H. 
Beach. There he worked at the carpenter's 
trade and also engaged in mining enterprises 
until the spring of 1851, when he came to So- 
noma County and located at Bodega, and in 
1852 purchased land at V^alley Ford and com- 
menced its cultivation and improvement. Mr. 
Fowler brought to his new occupation the same 
energy, industry and sound business principles 
that had characterized his other enterjjrises, and 
these soon assured his success, and his fine farm 
of 340 acres soon ranked as second to none in 
the county. This is best illustrated by noting 
the fact that in 1860 Mr. Fowler was awarded 
the first prize, a silver cup, by the Napa and 
Sonoma County Agricultural Society, as having 
the best improved farm in the two counties. 
Mr. Fowler was a strong believer in the future 
growth and prosperity of Sonoma County. 
Public-spirited and progressive in his views, he 
was always ready to aid in any enterprise that 
tended to develop tlie resources of that section 
of the country. In 1853 and 1854 he was a 
meinber of Sonoma County board of supervi- 
sors, a position tiiat he filled with credit to him- 
self and his constituency. May 17, 1855, he 
was united in marriage with Miss Ellisifi'a 
Cockrili, daughter of Judge L. D. Cockrill, of 
Blooinfield. Mrs. Fowler died August 22, 1860, 
leaving two cliildren: Edgar J., born March 7, 
1856, and William W., born February 17, 1858. 
Mr. Fowler's second marriage occurred Novem- 
ber 19, 1863, wiien he married ]\riss Phebe 
Elizabeth Ames. She died March 10, 1871. 



HISTORY OK SoyoMA COUNTY. 



No children were born to this marriage. In 
1860 Mr. Fowler's ill health induced him to 
seek relief in other climes, and he went to the 
Sandwich Islands, and from thence around Cape 
Horn to his old home in New York, after which 
he returned to his California home, where he 
remained until his death, which occurred March 
4, 1868. He was a man universally respected 
and esteemed, and his death was sincerely 
mourned by a large circle of friends and ac- 
quaintances. In political matters Mr. Fowler 
always took an intelligent interest, and was a 
Democrat until treason dared to assault the old 
riag that had protected him in so many foreign 
ports, when with some regrets he abandoned the 
old party to join the new in defense of the 
[Jnion. 



^=^ 



fDGAR J. FOWLER, oldest son of Stephen 
L. Fowler, was reared to farm life upon his 
father's farm, receiving a liberal education 
in the public schools and at the University Mound 
College in Sau Francisco, after which he returned 
to the old homestead and has since devoted himself 
to agricultural pursuits. This tine farm is well 
wortliy of inention. It contains 340 acres of 
rich land, situated one- half mile east of Valley 
Ford, and under his able management still ranks 
as one of the representative farms in the valley. 
There is a fine family orchard upon the place, 
containing a variety of apples, pears, plums, 
cherries, etc., which attests the adaptability of 
these lands for fruit culture. The rest of the 
land is devoted to hay, grain and stock. 
Among the latter are seventy-iive head of 
graded cattle, improved by Durham and Jersey 
breeds. Sixty head of these cattle constitute a 
dairy, producing a superior grade of butter. 
Mr. Fowler is also interested in improving his 
stock of horses. He has some line roadsters 
improved by McClellan stock, also good speci- 
mens of draft horses from the Norman breed. 
Among the improvements upon this place is a 
neat cottage residence, beautifully located upon 



high ground, giving a pleasing view of the val- 
ley. There are also substantial and commodious 
barns, dairy and other out-buildings. May 23, 
1877, Edgar J. Fowler was united in marriage 
with Miss Sarah Cordelia Rien, the daughter of 
John W. and Ann R. (Brown) Rien, born in 
Missouri. They have three children, viz.: Ada 
R., born June 15, 1878; William C, born June 
5, 1880, and Ethel E., born August 10, 1882. 
Stephen L. Fowler's second son, William W. 
Fowler, married Minnie A. Seavey, April 13, 
1886. He was for some years employed in the 
United States mail service, but is now (1888) in 
the employ of Wells, Fargo &, Co., and is a resi- 
dent of San Francisco. 

tLFRED BUTT, manufacturing jeweler and 
watchmaker. No. 511 Fourth Street, has 
^s#sr been in the business in Santa Rosa since 
1884. He carries a large stock of watches, 
clocks, jewelry, silverware, and optical goods. 
He does fine watch repairing, at which he is an 
expert, also does engraving, enameling and lapi- 
dary work, having all the tools necessary 
for the manufacture of any kind of jewelry, in 
any design. He has made all the prize medals 
for the Pacific Methodist College that have been 
given since he came to this town, and the police- 
men's stars for the force of Santa Rosa, and 
also designs and manufactures numerous prize 
medals for societies and orders. Mr. Rutt has 
rare taste and skill in his trade, in which he has 
been engaged since he was fifteen years of ago, 
and he is now thirty-nine. The subject fif this 
sketch is an Englishman by birth, and came to 
America when twenty years old. He was for 
ten years engaged in his business in San Fran- 
cisco. When he came to Santa Rosa he bought 
the stock of L. A. Kelley, a small stock worth 
about $1,000, located on Exchange Avenue. 
From there he moved to the block on Fourth 
street, east of Mendocino street, and the latter 
part uf November, 1887, took possession of his 
present fine quarters, in the choice business 



HIHTOIiY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



block of tlie city. Mr. Butt was married iu his 
native land and had one child born there. They 
nuw iiave six suns and one daughter. The fol- 
lowing orders claim Mr. Butt as a member: the 
A. O. U. W., K. of P., and the Foresters. 

«LAYTON AVINKLER.-- Among the well 
known pioneers of California, of Sonoma 
County and of Green Valley is the sub- 
]'ect of this sketch, lie was born in Estell 
County, Kentucky, January 12, 1831, his par- 
ents being David and Sarah (Asbell) Winkler, 
both natives of Kentucky. His grandfather, 
Jacob Winkler, was a native of Germany, who 
emigrated to the United States and located in 
Kentucky. In Mr. Winkler's early youth his 
parents moved to Missouri and located near St. 
Joseph. They died in 1840, leaving Clayton 
an orphan only nine years of age. After their 
death he was taken to La Porte County, Indiana, 
where he became a member of the family of 
Steward A. Reynolds, who had married his 
sister. Mr. Reynolds gave the little orphan all 
the care and attention that was given to his own 
children, educating him in the practical duties 
of farm life, and giving him the benefit of a 
good schooling, first in the common school and 
then in the high school and academy at South 
Bend. In 184U Mr. AVinkler was one of the 
thousands that were stricken with the California 
gold fever, and though but little over eighteen 
years of age, he had the spirit and ambition of 
a man. In the spring of that year he started 
upon the long and tedious journey across the 
plains. He came as did multitudes of others, 
toiling and driving ox teams. The emigration 
was devoid of much interest until the party 
reached the Humboldt, and there the Indians 
stampeded and stole their cattle. Fortunately 
the emigrants were able to recover the most of 
them without any fighting. They suffered the 
loss and proceeded on their way, arriving at 
Sacramento, October 16, 1841*. Immediately 
after his arrival Mr. Winkler went lo the mines, 



and engaged in mining in what is now El Dorado 
County until the spring of 1851. At that time 
he came to Sonoma County and the next year 
purchased 280 acres of land in Green Valley. 
He engaged in various occupations until 1854, 
and then entered largely ifito potato cultivation 
upon his land, which occupation he continued 
for two years. He then engaged in mining and 
other occupations mostly in California, but in 
1862 and 1863 he was in the mines in Nevada. 
He liad the experience of thousands of others in 
his mining and other enterprises — one day rich 
and another day poor, but lie always held on to 
the land he had purchased. Tiring of the toils, 
struggles, and uncertain fortunes attending min- 
ing operations, he decided to retire to his farm. 
- In 1866 he married Miss Martha Brain, daugh- 
ter of Samuel and Sarah (Powell) Brain, natives 
of England, but residents of Sonoma County. 
After his marriage he took up his residence 
upon his farm and has since devoted himself to 
agricultural pursuits. His energetic and indus- 
trious nature found something congenial to his 
tastes and he has gone on improving his lands, 
planting, building, etc., until now he has one of 
the best conducted and productive farms in his 
vicinity. It is well worthy of a brief descrip- 
tion. Mr. Winkler is the owner of 150 acres, 
located on the Santa Rosa and Guerneville road, 
in the Oak Grove school district, in Green Val- 
ley, about nine miles west of Santa Rosa. Of 
tills fine farm twenty-five acres are devoted to 
orchard purposes. Great attention has been 
paid to this and it is in splendid condition and 
yielding largely. The greater proportion of his 
trees are peaches and apples. Of peaches he 
has the Wiley cling, orange cling, and Crawford. 
His peach crop is worthy of mention. As a 
sample of the productiveness of trees that are 
coming into bearing, his books show that from 
800 trees, occupying five acres of gn^und, he 
sold in 1887, $1,061 worth of fruit: this was 
from trees four years old (from the dormant 
bud). He also raises pears, plums and French 
prunes. On this place is a family vineyard in 
which there is a large variety of table grapes qf 



IIliiTdliY (IF bONOMA COUNTY. 



the most approved varieties. The rest of his 
hi'nJ is devoted to hay, grain and stock-raising. 
Mr. Winkler is a strong believer in the future 
prosperity of Green Valley, and also of the value 
of these lands for fruit cultivation, and he in- 
tends to increase his orchards as the demand for 
fruit increases. As one of the pioneers of the 
State and Sonoma County he has gained a large 
circle of friends and acquaintances, not only in 
Sonoma County but throughout the mining 
counties of California and Nevada, and by all 
are respected and esteemed. He is a consistent 
member of the Methodist church, a strong be- 
liever in the building of churches and schools, 
and also a liberal contributor to the support of 
the same. He donated one and one-half acres 
of land upon which the Congregational church 
society of Green Valley built their church. He 
has taken a deep interest in the public schools 
and has for a number of years been a school 
trustee in the district in which he resides. He 
is a member of Lafayette Lodge, No. 126, F. & 
A. M., of Sebastopol. In political matters he is 
a Republican, but is liberal and conservative in 
his views. Mr. and Mrs. Winkler have eight 
living children, viz.: Sarah Jane, Arthur S.> 
George H., Hattie L., Oliver M., Edward C, 
Samuel Ernest, and Walter S. At the present 
writing (1888) all are residing upon the old 
homestead. 



fO. HEATOX, of Mendocino Township 
one of the old settlers of Sonoma County, 
® has a ranch of 266 acres on the Dry 
Creek road, seven miles from Healdsburg. He 
has over thirty acres "in grapes, ranging in age 
from one year upward, about one-half acre of 
Missions being some thirty years old. There 
are four acres that are six years old, the re- 
mainder being younger. The varieties are 
Zinfandel, Golden Chasselas, Burger, Grenache, 
Mataro, Crabb's Burgundy and Gray Kiesling. 
Mr. Heaton has an apple orchard of two acres, 
the trees being twenty-seven years old. He also 



has four acres of younger trees, two acres of the 
latter being plums and French prunes, and the 
rest peaches. Mr. Heaton is a native of Ken- 
tucky, born in Nicholas County, November 22, 
1831, his parents being Shaftner and Elizabeth 
(Tucker) Heaton. Shaftner Heaton was born in 
Mason Count}', Kentucky, and his parents in Mary- 
land. Mrs. Heaton was a daughter of Samuel 
and Elizabeth Tucker. Her father was born in 
what is now the District of Columbia, about 
1782, and her mother was a native of Kentucky, 
in which State they were uiarried. In 1829 
they removed to Illinois, and from there across 
the plains of Oregon, in 1848. Mrs. Tucker 
died in 1839. He married again in 1840. They 
died in Oregon at an advanced age. When S. O. 
Heaton was but one year old his parents re 
moved to Pike County, Illinois, where the father 
died the following year, and where the mother 
contintjcd her residence until her death which 
occurred eleven years later. Mr. Heaton was 
reared to manhood in Pike County, and in 1852 
accompanied William McCloud and John Shafer, 
with their wives, to California, making the trip 
across the plains in the usual way. They also 
brought along a man named Haggard and his 
son. Leaving home on the 6th of April, they 
crossed the Missouri River eighteen miles below 
St. Joe, the 6th of May. Their route took them to 
Ft. Kearney where they forded the South Platte 
above the mouth of North Platte, east of Ft. 
Laramie. They struck the Sweetwater at Inde- 
pendence Rock and followed it nearly to the 
summit of the mountains at South Pass. They 
left Salt Lake to tlieir left and Ft. Hall to the 
right and came through the Thousand Spring 
Valley, striking the Humboldt pretty well to- 
ward its head. In reaching the Carson River, 
they crossed a desert of fifty miles, and thence 
followed the Carson route, arriving at Placer- 
ville August 8th. Mr. Heaton at once com- 
menced mining and worked in the following 
camps: Kelsey's Bar, on Middle Fork of 
American River, two months; Frankfort Bar, on 
Weber Creek, three years; on Sweetwater Creek, 
six months; nearly six months, below the pres- 



lllSTOUy OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



629 



ent site of Folsoin, on Atnerican River; Frank- 
ford Bar, again, a niontli or tun. lie then 
caine to Sonoma County and bought land on the 
Tzabaco grant, where he now resides. He was 
married in October, 1872, in Mason County, 
Kentuel<y, to Miss Rebecca Agnes Bullock, a 
native of Kentucky, born in Lewis County, but 
reared in Mason County. Siie is a daughter of 
Robert and Elizabeth (Cooper) Bullock. Her 
fatlier, a tiative of Mason County, Kentucky, 
was a son of Majoi- Lewis Bullock, who went 
from Yirginia to Mason County, Kentucky, 
where he was an early settler, and did most of 
tlie surveying. The mother of Mrs. Heaton 
M'as formerly Elizabeth Coo]ier, whose father 
was a native of Scotland, but her mother was 
born in Fayette County, Kentucky, near Lexing- 
ton. The father of Mrs. Heaton died in 1841 
and her mother in 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Heaton 
have four children — Mary Lou, Bessie, Charles 
and Robert Bruce. Politically, Mr. Heaton is a 
Democrat, and he takes an interest in public 
affairs. 



►^Mf^- 



tEAYIS HENDRIX resides on the Hendri-x 
road, in the Pioneer school district, about 
one and one-half miles southeast of Fulton, 
at which place he owns a rich and productive 
farm of 154 acres. With the exception of a 
family orchard and vineyard, containing a large 
variety of fruit and table grapes, his land is de- 
voted to hay, grain and stock-raising. Among 
the stock are some fine specimens of American 
horses improved with Norman stock. His rich 
soil is yielding thirty bushels of grain per acre, 
and his hay land produces about two tons 
per acre. Among the improvements mention 
should be made of his comfortable residence, in 
which he combined all the conveniences of a 
well ordered and modern liouse. Commodious 
and convenient out-buildings attest the pros- 
perity which has attended his farming opera- 
tions. The subject of this sketch was born in 
liutlor County. Ohio, February 25. 1^15. Ifis 



father, Eli Ilendrix, was a native of Virginia, 
who came to Ohio at an early date. His mother, 
Mary (Paugli) Ilendrix, was born in New Jer- 
sey. Mr. Hendrix was reared as a farmer and 
stock-grower. His educational facilities were 
limited to the conimon schools of the pioneer 
settlements of that date. Early in life, as soon 
as he was able to help in farm labor he was 
taken from school to assist his father on the 
farm. In 1833 his father removed to Fountain 
County, Indiana, and commenced anew in 
building up a pioneer farm. Mr. Hendrix 
worked with his father until twenty-one years 
of age, and then started in life upon his own 
account. In 1838 he married Miss Rebecca A. 
Cook, the daughter of Jacob and Lidia (Droll- 
inger) Cook. Her father was a native of Mason 
County, Kentucky, and her mother was born in 
Butler County, Ohio. Mrs. Hendrix was also 
born in that connty. In 1820 Mr. Hendrix 
moved his family to Van Buren County, Iowa, 
where he located land and entered iipon farming 
operations. He remained there until 1852 
when he removed to Davis Connty, the same 
State, where he was engaged in like occupations. 
In 1865 he started across the plains to Califor- 
nia, and after months of tedious journe^'ing 
arrived in the Golden State and located in So- 
noma Connty. He took up the land where he 
still resides, erected a small dwelling-honse, and 
commenced the building up and improvement 
of his lands. Since that date he has devoted 
himself entirely to agricultural pursuits. Mr, 
Hendrix's long residence has gained him a large 
circle of friends and acquaintances in his sec- 
tion of the county, and his straightforward and 
consistent course of life have secured their re- 
spect and esteem. He is an enterprising and 
public-spirited citizen, a strong believer in the 
future prosperity of Sonoma County, and ever 
ready to aid in all enterjirises that he believes 
will benefit the community in which he resides. 
He is a consistent member of the Christian 
church, taking a deep interest in the public 
schools. He has served many terms as a school 
trustee in his district. Thci-c^ have been born 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



to Mr. and Mrs. Hendrix eleven children, three 
of wliom are now living, viz.: Sarah Ann, who 
married l^aac M. Harvey, and is now living in 
Oregon; Belle M., who married Harvey T. 
Teagne, residing in Los Angeles Connty; and 
Edwin U.. wIki nian-iod Snsan A. Peterson, 
danghter of AVilliani J. and ilartha A. (Steel) 
Peterson, of Sonoma Connty. The first child, 
Mary L., married Robert W. Herod. She died 
in Kansas in 1872, at the age of thirty-three 
years. Tiie third child, Emily J., married 
William S. Kinney. She died in Iowa in 1864, 
aged twenty- two years. Mr. Edwin U. Hendrix 
is residing npon the old homestead, and is as- 
sisting his tather in conducting the farm opera- 
tions. He is the father of three children — 
Lewis E., Granville L. and Harvey L. 




5RS. I. M. HAKTSOCK, of Mendocino 
Township, has a ranch of eighty-seven 
acres, on the Dry Creek road, about 
eight miles from Healdsbuig. There are ten 
acres of the place in orchard, the trees being 
from five to eight years in age, and consisting 
of apples, pears, peaches, plnms, prunes, nec- 
tarines, apricots, cherries, figs, etc. There are 
three acres of grapes, the varieties being Rose 
of Peru, Muscat of Alexandria and Malvoise. 
Mrs. Hartsock is the widow of Adolphus Hart- 
sock, who was a native of Indiana, born near 
Indianapolis, in Marion County, January 12, 
1834. His parents were Isaac and Susan (Ash- 
poe) Hartsock, both natives of Pennsylvania. 
In 1852 he came to California via Panama, and 
went al once into the mines, where he was en- 
gaged for eleven years, a portion of the time in 
Amador and Placer counties. He then came to 
Sonoma County, but afterward went back to 
the mines. In September, 1876, he purchased 
the place where the family now live. Mr. Hart- 
sock was a member of Curtis Lodge, F. & A. 
M., and in politics affiliated with the Republi- 
can party. He and Mrs. Hartsock were married 
in Solano County. Julv 31. 1864, and his death 



occurred in this connty, June 16, 1885. The 
subject (if this sketch was formerly Miss Isabel 
M. Fi-eenian, a native of Greene County, Illinois, 
and danghter of T. W. Freeman and Elizabeth 
(Fort) Freeman. The former was born in Sainte 
Genevieve County, Missouri, in 1819. When 
he w-as ten years of age his parents removed to 
Greene County, Illinois, and were among the 
early settlers in that section. There T. W. 
Freeman was reared to manhood and there mar- 
ried to F^iizabeth Fort, a native of Kentucky. 
From there they removed, in 1855, to western 
Missouri. In 1857 they crossed the plains to 
California, and settled in Solano Connty, where 
Mrs. Freeman died in 1858, and subsequently 
the family remo%ed to San Joaquin County. 
^Ir. Freeman now makes his home with his 
daughter in Sonoma County. Mrs. Hartsock 
has four children living, viz.: Emma, Delia, 
Bonnie and Freedom, all natives of this connty. 



C. MICHAELSON, of Knight's Valley 
Township, has a ranch of seventy-five 
^ acres in Alexander Valley, some sixteen 
miles from the county seat. He has about 500 
fruit trees, which are peaches and apples, with a 
few young prune and pear trees. He has eight 
acres of twenty year old vines of the Mission 
variety, and four acres of table grapes, which 
are Muscats, Tokays, Mediterraneans, etc. Fie 
has now also sixteen acres of grapes on his hill 
land, ranging in age from two to four years. 
The varieties are Carignane, (rrossblaue, Mataro 
and Grey Riesling. He has been manufacturing 
5,000 gallons of wine per year, and has a stor- 
age capacity for that amount. His vintage is 
excellent, and enjoys the highest reputation. 
That portion of his ranch not devoted to orchard 
or vineyard, is used for general farming pur- 
poses. Mr. Michaelson is a native of the prov- 
ince of Hanover, Germany, born January 19, 
1824, his parents being Dietrich and Salome 
(Roschen) Michaelson. The father, a farmer 
and merchant, was also a native of Germany, 







•-yw ^- ^,^. 



jt. J^. J</ulaa0fe. 



HI^TOny OF SONOMA couyiY. 



but the mother was a native of Lexington, 
^('ortli Carolina. Her father was a minister of 
the Lutheran denomination, and, while in 
America, was stationed for a portion of the time 
at Lexington. lie afterward went back, how- 
ever, with his family, to Germany. The sub- 
ject of this sketch was reared in his native 
conntrj-, and from the age of six to fourteen at- 
tended the public school, according to the re- 
quirements of the law of the land. lie then 
entered the seminary at Stade, and for over live 
years received the advantages of the higher 
education to be obtained there, with the view 
of becoming an instructor. After completing 
his education he began teaching school, and 
followed tliat profession in German}' until 1866. 
He then emigrated to Xew York, and thence, 
via Panama, to San Francisco, arriving in the 
latter city on the loth of August. On his arrival 
he set aboiit obtaining employment at his pro- 
fession, and soon obtained a position as teacher 
at St. Marcus German Lutheran School. After 
two years there he became an instructor of 
German in the public schools. For live years 
he was connected in this capacity with the 
South Cosmopolitau school, for tiiree years with 
the North Cosmopolitan, and for three years 
with the Valencia public school. He then 
opened a private school, which he conducted 
until 1884, at which time he removed to So- 
noma County, and located where he now resides. 
He is a member of St. Marcus Lutheran con- 
gregation, San Francisco, and was for many 
years associated with it in an official capacity. 
In politics Mr. Michaelson is a Republican. 



fULES A. AURA DO U, of Mendocino Town- 
ship, is a native of Paris, France, born 
December 12. 1832, his parents being John 
and Alexan<lria ('Cellardj Auradou, the father 
being a hotel proprietor. Early in 1819, after 
hearing the news of the great gold excitement 
in California, .lohn Auradou decided to come 
with his son to America and try his fortunes in 



the new El Dorado. March 22, 1849, they sailed 
from Havre on the ship Meuse, and started on 
the lengthy voyage around Cape Horn. They 
were favored with tine weather during the jour- 
ney except when oQ" Cape Horn. At Callao 
they made their only landing, and there learned 
of the genuineness of the tales about the gold of 
California. They landed at San Francisco on 
the 14th of September. At San Francisco they 
remained about three weeks, making an attempt 
to burn charcoal, but at the end of that time, 
having had poor success, made a big bonfire, 
and then took a small vessel and proceeded to 
Sacramento. At the latter place they remained 
three days and then went up the American 
River to Mormon Island, staying there until the 
river got so high they were washed out. Mr. 
Auradou and son then went to Sacramento and 
established a boarding house, but were soon 
drowned out and had to move into an old scow. 
They went up the Sacramento River as far as 
the site of Marysville, thence on a mining expe- 
dition up Yuba River. The same year they 
located at Downieville, and there Mr. Auradou 
and his father engaged in prospecting. In this 
work they had very trying experiences, and a 
number of times were snowed in and nearly 
starved to death. They finally settled down at 
Foster's Bar, and mined in that vicinity for five 
years, and along the river until 1857. Then 
Jules A. Auradou, the snbject of this sketch, 
left the mines and went to San Francisco, where 
he was employed in a meat packing establish- 
ment. He became a partner in the business 
and a member of the firm of Auradou <t Bunker 
in the California market. In 1870 he sold out 
his business interests in San Francisco, and went 
back to Paris, where he visited his father (who 
had gone back in 1858) and friends and relatives. 
Both parents are now deceased, tlie fatlier having 
died in 1875, and the mother later on. In 
1871 Mr. Auradou returned to California and 
located where he now resides. His ranch con- 
sists of sixty-six acres, and is devoted to vine- 
yard, orchard and general purposes. He was 
married in San Francisco to Krne.^tine Burnouf, 



634 



HIISTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



a native of Havre, France, whose parents came 
to San Francisco about 1862. They have fonr 
children, viz.: Maria Jane, Louisa, Jules and 
John. Mr. An radon is a member of Parfait 
Lodge, No. 17, F. &. A. M., San Francisco. lie 
joined the Masonic order in 1863. He is also 
a member of Abou Ben Adhem Lodge, No. 112, 
L O. O. F., San Francisco. Politically he is a 
Democrat. He takes a deep interest in schools 
and has been a trustee in Grape district since 
1878. Mr. Auradou is one of the pioneers of 
California, and has seen all phases of life in this 
State. He is a hospitable gentleman, intelligent 
and enterprising, and a desirable acquisition to 
the citizenship of Sonoma County. 



tENRY COFFEY was born in New York, 
January 26, 1832. His father was a na 
tive of England, who emigrated to the 
United States in his youtli. He died while Mr. 
Coffey was an infant. His mother, C^'nthia 
(Beals) Coff'ey, was born in Vermont, and in 
1834 she moved with her family to Michigan, 
where she took up Government land, and began 
the struggle of establishing a farm and support- 
ing her children. Here Mr. Coffey was reared 
until the death of his mother, which occurred 
in 1844, and he then lived with his older broth- 
ers until eighteen years of age. At that time 
he went to St. Joseph County, Indiana, and en- 
gaged in work in saw mills and lumber busi- 
ness. In 1854 he married Miss Nancy Gitchell, 
daughter of the liev. David D. Gitchell, a well- 
known Methodist clergyman of St. Joseph 
County. He continued his labor at tliat place 
until 1855, when he returned to Michigan and 
located in Livingston County, where he engaged 
in farming and stock-raising. In this same 
year, February 12, 1856, his wife died, and the 
next year he moved to Van Buren County, 
where he rented land and continued his farming 
operations. In 1858 he married his present 
wife. Miss Rebecca Davis, the daughter of John 
and Narcissa (Hall) Davis. Mr. Coffey con- 



ducted various enterprises, farming, stock-rais- 
ing, etc. — one year of which time he lived in 
Illinois — until 1862. He then came overland 
to California and located in Sacramento County, 
where he engaged in farming. In 1865 he re- 
moved to Contra Costa County where, in addi- 
tion to farm operations, he was quite extensively 
engaged in stock-growing. He remained there 
until 1870 and then removed to Hill's Ferry, 
and there established a dairy and stock ranch. 
The drought soon compelled him to leave that 
place and he took his herds to New York ranch, 
near Antioch. After a few month's sojourn 
there he drovehis cattle into MendocinoCounty, 
where he established himself in the stock busi- 
ness and remained until 1879. In that year he 
sold out, and with his family — moving b}' teams 
in emigrant style — started for the southern 
country. - He continued his journey into 
Arizona and located at Prescott. Shortly 
after his arrival at that place he purchased a 
stock range and Government station at the 
Oaks and Willows, about fifty-two miles from 
Prescott. He engaged in farming and stock- 
raising, his products finding ready sale in sup- 
plying the United States Government military 
forces with cattle, forage, etc. He was success- 
ful in his operations in that place and contin- 
ued them until 1885. In that year he sold out, 
and returning to California, located in Sonoma 
County, where he purchased 320 acres of land 
in Santa Rosa Township, formerly known as 
the Sampson Wright place, situated in the 
Piner school district, about two and one-half 
miles northwest of Santa Rosa. This farm is 
of rich and productive soil, devoted mostly to 
the production of hay and grain. There is upon 
this farm an orchard of about ten acres, pro- 
ducing a variety of fine fruits, such as French 
prunes, apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, etc.; 
also a family vineyard in which table grapes of 
the Sweetwater, Muscat and Rose of Peru varie- 
ties are grown. In purchasing these lands Mr. 
Coffey was governed in a large degree by his 
desire of furnishing suitable homes for his chil- 
dren. To each of his nine children he has deeded 



UISrOHT OF SONOMA COUNT V. 



twenty acres, upon which they are establishing 
tlieir homes and fulfilling his wishes, that the 
family may be united in common enterprises 
during his life at least. The liomestead portion 
of 140 acres, with the residence and out-build- 
ings is reserved for the mother. The lands are 
worked by himself antl sons in common, each 
devoting iiimseif to improving and building up 
the whole. Mr. Coffey is an energetic and in- 
dustrious man of sound sense and business 
habits. His success in life is the result of these 
qualities combined with straightforward, hon- 
est dealings. Wherever he has resided he has 
always been a respected and esteemed citizen, 
and is a desirable acquisition to any commun- 
ity. He is public-spirited and progressive, 
ready to aid any enterprise that will add to the 
prosperity of his section, and the county. While 
nut a pi)litician, he takes an intelligent interest 
in the political questions of tiie day. He is a 
liberal and conservative Democrat. As before 
stated, Mr. Coffey is the father of nine children, 
viz.: James H., William M., Maryette, Charles 
H., Joanna, Samuel A., Adeline N., Minnie and 
Octavia. With the e.xceptiou of Maryette, they 
are all living upon the liomestead and lands 
before mentioned. The following are the mar- 
riages in the family: William M. married Miss 
Etty E. Cutmire, and has one child, William 
H.; Maryette married O. M. Tuttie; they are 
living in Mendocino County, and have one ciiild, 
Edith; Charles H. married Miss J3elle Banting; 
Joanna married H. M. Finley; they have two 
children. Bertha and Lena; Samuel A. married 
Miss Nellie Houx, and Adeline married Fred 
Mize. William M. Coffey is a member of Santa 
Rosa Lodge, No. 53, L O. O. F. 



fOHN A. LOSEE.— The subject of this 
sketch, with his wife, has, since November, 
1868, owned and resided upon a tine ranch 
of moderate dimensions, one mile and a quarter 
south of. Sonoma. A passing review of the 
lives of both Mr. and Mrs. Losee will prove of 



great interest to the reader. Mr. Losee dates 
his birth in Fishkill, Dutchess County, New 
York, November 27, 1822. He was reared to 
a farm life, and received such an education as 
was common to the sons of fairly well-to-do 
farmers in those years. He early showed that 
spirit of adventure that later led him to leave 
relatives, friends and native land, and visit 
lands then but little known. Endowed as he 
was by nature with rare courage and a perfect 
command of himself in moments of peril, he 
was enabled to pass unscathed through scenes of 
e.xtreme danger. His school days having passed, 
he mastered the painter's trade. At twenty- 
two years of age, in the flush of young, vigorous 
manhood, he embarked for South America. In 
Peru and Chili he worked much of the time at 
his trade until 1849; in tiiat year going to New 
Zealand, wiiere he found profitable employment 
and led an active life several years. While in 
New Zealand, January 7, 1851, he married Miss 
Hannah Brickwell, a cultured English lady, 
born in Buckinghamshire, England, and M'ho 
had made her home in New Zealand after reach- 
ing womanhood. Mrs. Losee is a little lady, 
possessed of marvelous energy, pluck and en- 
durance, which tiie then not distant future was 
to test in the utmost degree. In 1853 Mr. 
Losee and his wife' went to Australia, wiiere 
Mr. Losee was in business in Sydney the year 
following. For some time they had contem- 
plated visiting California with a view of estab- 
lishing themselves permanently. Accordingly, 
in September, 1854, in the bark Sarah Jlorse, 
the voyage to San Francisco was undertaken, but 
the fates decreed that years of suffering and 
separation were to be passed before they were 
to reach the Golden State. Their ill starred 
ship was wrecked in December at Ravens Island, 
one of the Caroline group of islands, on a reef, 
and became a total loss. After making liis 
wife as comfortable as possible among the 
natives, Mr. Losee made one of a boat's crew 
who attempted to reach Ascension Island to 
bring succor and relief, but their boat, largely 
at the mercy of tlie waves and currents of the 



UISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



ocean, drifted so far from its course, that 
hunger and privation compelled them to seek 
shelter and food upon another of the Caroline 
group of islands. There two of the party were 
murdered by the natives, and their captain (not 
their ship's captain, but a white man hired for 
the trip) died, and the party was robbed of all 
their effects. The living made their escape, 
largely through the address and energy of Mr. 
Loses, to anotlier smaller island of the group, 
having spent three days and nights without 
food or water. Here they found the natives 
absent, and the island stocked with chickens, 
cocoa-nuts and bread fruit. Immediately they 
commenced laying in supplies for another at- 
tempt to find relief for tlieir comrades and 
partners in distress. The natives returning, 
their departure was attended with danger, but 
accomplished in safety. Again on the broad 
ocean the long weary days passed into weeks. 
No friendly sail greeted the anxious strained 
eyes of those poor men striving so manfully to 
save themselves and their dear ones. Their 
slender stock of food and water diminished un- 
til for fifteen days they were reduced to a half 
pint of water and one-half a cocoa-nut to each 
of their party of four. Death was the only fate 
to be expected from the natives, but they were 
compelled to accept the chance of life among 
them or starve on the apparent) v deserted ocean. 
Accordingly, after a voyage of twenty-one days, 
a landing was made upon a small island where 
no white man had ever been seen by the natives. 
To their great joy and relief they were kindly 
received and cared for, and Mr. Losee was so 
evidently the master spirit among his three 
comrades, that he was awarded the distinction 
bestowed upon a chief, and taken under the 
protection of the head chief of tlie island. There 
two of his three companions died and there 
Mr. Losee lived like a native two years and 
eight months, learning their language and 
acquiring great influence over them. They 
learned to love and believe in him, and he used 
liis influence over them only for good. Had we 
space for detail, a chapter of anecdote and in " 



cident could be written illustrative of life 
among those simple minded sons of nature. 
Indeed, Mr. Losee claims that they practiced 
the attributes of justice and charity in a greater 
degree than is common in many communities 
boasting of civilization and Christianity. At 
the end of two years and eight months, upon 
his promise to return to them in four moons 
(months) and bring tools of iron and open a 
market foi'them for their cocoa-nuts and abalone 
shells, he was allowed to depart with a stock of 
cocoa-nuts for food and cocoa-nut shells filled 
with water. Taking with him a young boy to 
whom he had taught the English language (his 
only comrade, Edward Collins, had not the 
courage to again place himself at the mercy of 
the ocean), in a frail canoe his departure was 
made, and again Mr. Losee was looking for re- 
lief on the broad Pacific. Only a few hours 
passed before quite a violent wind upset his 
fiail bark and brought extreme peril. With 
difficulty he righted the canoe and bailed it out, 
saving only a small portion of his food and 
water. In almost a perishing condition seven 
days later he landed among cannibals in Green's 
Island, Solomon's Group. The sparing of his 
life by the natives he considers providential. 
He was rescued by a small trading vessel after 
some weeks, and, after an absence of three years 
and six months, was again in Sydney. His 
promise to his island friends was faithfully 
kept. He induced a trading master with his 
vessel to visit them, and accompanying him was 
the boy lie had taken away with him. He also 
brought the promised tools, etc., and some 
chickens and a pig. Returning to Sydney, Mr. 
Losee sought by all avenues of information 
tidings of his wife. There we will leave him to 
speak of the brave little woman. Mrs. Losee, 
after spending six months at Ravens Island. in 
dreadful anxiety and in great suffering and pri- 
vation, was rescued b}' the whale ship M. Tal- 
madge, and taken to the Island of Guam, the 
capital of the Phillipine Islands; thence to 
Manilla on a small Spanish schooner; thence to 
Hong Kono;, China; thence to New York, 



HISTORY OF S0N(JMA COUNTY. 



wliere, having no tidings of her husband, she 
thought him dead, and like the courageous ladj 
fhe is, she having learned that business oppor- 
tunities were opened to her, returned to Ilong 
Kong, where she was employed at a liberal 
salary in an English mercantile establishment. 
In 1859, having saved £200 in lawful currency, 
she joined her husband in Sydney. Let those 
who will try to imagine what the meeting must 
have been after a separation of four years and 
live months, and to them such eventful years 
and months. In Sydney Mr. Losee conducted 
an extensive business, dealing in hardware, 
paints, oils, paper-hangings, cordage, etc., until 
1868, when, again, and this time attended by 
no untoward event, the journey was undertaken 
to this State. Their only child, a daughter, 
^\ll0, had she lived, would now be a young lady, 
died young. And in conclusion we are pleased 
to be able to state that, surrounded by all need- 
ful comfort, this worthy couple are enjoying 
that peace and rest so well earned and so richly 
deserved by them. 



fDWARD SPALDING LIPPITT.— The 
subject of this memoir was born in the 
town of Woodstock, Windham County, 
State of Connecticut, September 17, 1824. His 
father was of the stock of the Lippitts of Rhode 
Island, who were among the earliest settlers of 
the Providence plantations. His mother, nee 
Lois Spalding, was the daughter of a substan- 
tial farmer of Thompson, Connecticut, and on 
edch side the family was of English extraction. 
While a child, his parents removed to the town 
of Klllingly, Connecticut, where they resided 
upon a farm until 1832, when they removed to 
Thompson, Connecticut, where they also resided 
upon a farm. Edward was the third sou and 
fifth child in a family of nine children. His 
early education was limited to tlie four months 
schooling each winter usually given in tiie coun- 
try of New England to all the children. At 
the age of sixteen lie attended tiie academy at 



Thompson for part of one year and one winter. 
In the fall of 1842 he entered East Greenwich 
Academy, Rhode Island, where lie spent one 
term in study, and taught a district school four 
miles south of East Greenwich, in the winter of 
1842-'43, for four inontlis. In the fall of that 
year he entered the Ereshman class in Wes- 
leyan University at Middletown, Connecticut. 
In his class were Senator Cole, of California, 
Professor Martin, of the University of the Pa- 
cific, Orange Judd, of New York, Bishop An- 
drews, of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
Alexander Winchell, the naturalist and author, 
Drs. King and Pillsbury, of the New York 
Conference, and others of distinguished merit. 
In April, 1847, he was elected principal of the 
Collegiate Institute and Gymnasium at Pem- 
broke, New Hampshire, and left college three 
months before commencement to enter upon his 
new duties, returning to graduate with his class 
in July, when he was elected president of his 
class, and presided at the class meetings and ex- 
ercises of commencement. During the year 
1847-'48, while teaching, he commenced the 
study of law, spending his vacations at Harvard 
Law School. In the fall of 1848 he removed 
to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was elected Pro- 
fessor of Mathematics and Natural Science in 
the Wesleyan Female College in that city, where 
he continued until 1852, when he founded the 
Scientific and Classical Institute of that city, 
for the instruction of young men. In 1855 he 
retired from school teaching, and entered upon 
the practice of the law, for which he had been 
preparing himself by assiduous labors for all 
the years he had been engaged in teaching, and 
was admitted to the bar of the State of Ohio in 
that year. During the years 1856-'57 he was 
a member of the school board of the city of 
Cincinnati, and chairman of the committee on 
text-books. During the next four years he was 
associated with W. B. Probasco, in the law 
business. In 1859 he was elected city solicitor 
with R. B. Hayes (President Hayes), which 
office he held until the breaking out of the war 
in 1801. After his entry upon the practice of 



HISTORY OF aONOJIA COUNTY. 



the law, he entered also earnestly into politics, 
making the canvass of Hamilton County several 
tin)es, and in 1860 canvassing the southern part 
of Ohio for Abraham Lincoln, and was then 
accounted one of the most effective speakers 
among the young men of Ohio. In 1850 he 
was a delegate from Cincinnati, First Congres- 
sional district, to the National Convention at 
Philadelphia, which nominated Fillmore for 
President, and took an active part in the cam- 
paign of that year. In the spring of 1862 he 
emigrated to California, making the trip over- 
land, and was elected Professor of Mathematics 
at the Universit}' of the Pacific at Santa Clara, 
remaining there only one year. In July, 1863, 
he came to Petaluma, to take charge of the pub- 
lic schools of the city, which he retained for 
four years, bringing them up to a high state of 
excellence. During that time he also, during 
the absence of Mr. Taylor, preached for the 
Congregational church for the year 1863-"G4, 
and under his charge that church edifice was 
enlarged. The ne.xt j'ear he took charge of 
the Methodist Episcopal church, and began 
the erection of the present structure, 
buying their present location, and laying 
the solid foundation and building the first 
story of what was intended to be one of 
the finest churches in the State. In 1867 he 
built the fine buildings on D street, now occu- 
pied by the city high school as a collegiate in- 
stitute, but in the spring of 1870 was obliged 
by his pecuniary losses to relinquish the enter- 
prise, losing his whole investment therein. He 
then returned to his old profession, the practice 
of the law, which he has since pursued with un- 
remitting care and attention. During the ten 
years that have intervened, he has built up 
a lucrative practice, and taken rank among the 
best lawyers of the district. During the war 
Mr. Lippitt took an active part for the Union 
cause, and by his endeavor and eloquence raised 
large sums of money for the sanitary and Chris- 
tian commissions. He is one of the most elo- 
quent and popular speakers in the State, and is 
ever ready to respond in behalf of every good 



enteiprise. On November 20, 1848, he was 
married to Miss Helen M. Young, of Lebanon, 
JS'ew Hampshire, who died June 27, 1849, in 
Cincinnati, of cholera. On July 3, 1851, he 
married Miss Sarah L. Lewis, of Monroe, Louis- 
iana. They have had nine children, five of 
whom are living. Mr. Lippitt is still in the 
vigor of his manhood, and bids fair to add many 
years to his life of usefulness. 



J®®- 



iURANT LITCHFIELD was born in Co- 
shocton County, Ohio, in 1833. His par- 
ents, Chauncey and Martha (Knight) 
Litchfield, were natives of New York. When 
he was four years old his father removed with 
his family to Illinois, and located in Fulton 
County. There he engaged in farming, and 
young Litchfield was reared to the same calling 
until he was twenty-one years of age, receiving 
at the same time such educational facilities as 
were afforded by the public schools. At the age 
of twenty-one he commenced life on his own 
account. His father died in 1843, leaving the 
farm to the care of mother and sons. Mr. Litch- 
field continued on the home farm until 1862, 
when, the war of the Rebellion being in its 
height, and his strong Union sentiments and 
love of his country prompting him to engage 
in its defense, he enlisted as a private soldier in 
Company F, Eighty-fourth Regiment of Illinois 
Volunteers. He served faithfully until the close 
of the war. The fatigues and hardships of cam- 
paigns and dangers of battle were cheerfully 
encountered, and not until the Rebellion was sup- 
pressed and the last shot fired did he return to 
his home. Among the many severe and import- 
ant engagements that Mr. Litchfield participated 
in, were the following battles so well known in 
the history of our country: Chickamauga, Stone 
River, Mission Ridge, Dalton, Ringgold and 
Chattanooga. Soon after his return to Illinois 
he married Miss Elizabeth Adams, the daughter 
of Hawthorne and ]\[ary (AVertz) Adams, both 
natives of Pennsylvania. In 1866 he moved to 



UIsrORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



McDonougli County, Illinois, where lie pur- 
chased a farm and engaged in farming and stock- 
raising. He was successful in this enterprise 
and soon ranked as one of the representative 
farmers of that county. In 1879 Mr. Litch- 
field came to California, and after visiting several i 
sections of the State decided that Sonoma County 
comhined the necessary conditions that would , 
make life in California a constant pleasure. He 
returned to Illinois, sold his farm, and in 1881 j 
moved his family to Sonoma County. Upon | 
his arrival he purchased fifty-seven acres near 
Sehastopol, moved his family upon it and com- 
menced his career as a fruitgrower. Since that 
time he has devoted himself to its cultivation 
and improvement. This land is just north of 
Sebastopol, in the Laguna school district, on the 
Green Valley road. He has twenty acres in 
wine grapes of the Ziufa!idel variety, also a tine 
orchard which is producing some of the best 
fruit grown in that section, French prunes be- 
ing the principal production, but he also raises 
peaches, apples, })ears, plums, etc. The remain- 
der of his land is devoted to ha)- and stock. The 
land is all well adapted to fruit cultivation, and 
Mr. Litchfield intends increasing his orchard in 
the near future. Among the many improve- 
ments lie has made during his residence on this 
place, is the building of a neat and attractive 
cottage residence It is beautifully situated in 
a grove of evergreen trees, npon rising ground, 
which gives a pleasing and attractive view of 
the surrounding landscape. Well ordered and 
commodious out-buildings, good fences, and the 
general air of comfort pervading his place, at- 
test the success that Mr. Litchfield is achieving 
in his vocation. He is an intelligent, enterpris- 
ing and public-spirited citizen, a believer in the 
glorious future that awaits his section of the 
State, and ready to aid in all movements tend- 
ing to advance the interests and welfare of the 
community in which he resides. During his 
short residence here he has gained the respect 
and esteem of his associates. He and his wife 
are members of Seba?topul Grange, Patrons of 
Husbandry, and their daughters are members 



of the G'jod Templars Lodge at Sebastopol. 
In politics lie is a strong and consistent Repub- 
lican. Mr. and Mrs. Litchfield have four chil- 
dren living, viz.: Laura B., Alice M., Martha 
Irma and Mary E. Mr. Litchfield" is liberally 
educating his family. His daughters, Laura B. 
and Alice M., are both graduates of theXormal 
School at Santa Rosa, and are now (1888j teach- 
ers in the public schools of Sonoma County. 



--i^^-- 



fALEBC.CARRIGER— Among the valued 
and esteemed men who came to Sonoma 
^ ■ Valley in its pioneer days were the Carri- 
ger brothers. A brief review of the subject of 
this sketch, with mention of other members of 
the family, gives the following facts. His 
father, Chri.-tian Carriger, was of German 
birth, and his mother, Lovisa (Ward) Carriger, 
was boi"n in England. After marriage they 
located in Carter County, Tennessee, and there 
all of their children were born. When Caleb C. 
Carriger was a small boy the family moved to 
Andrew County, where stories reached them of 
the great fertilit}- and delightful climate of 
lands west of the mountains. The Carrigers as 
a family were noted for daring and adventure. 
It is believed that the proposition to brave the 
dangers to be encountered in coining to this 
coast, met with no opposition from au\- member 
of the family. April 27, 1846, the family started 
with the intention of going to Oregon, but 
later determined to make Califoi'uia their desti- 
nation. The j >urney was attended by danger, 
privation and great suffering. On Yuba River, 
September 26, Christian Carriger, the head of 
the family, died at the age of sixty-seven j-ears. 
Sadly and tenderly the family buried him in bis 
lonely grave, and then pursued their weary way. 
The first place reached in California was John- 
son's ranch on Bear River. From there, slowly 
but without unnecessary delay, the family made 
their way to Sonoma Valley, reaching Sonoma 
October 6, 1840, and making that their home. 
Daniel, Nicholas and Solomon, the three eldest 



lIltiTonr OF HONOMA VOUiWTy. 



of the boys, at once enlisted in the war for the 
acquisition of California, Daniel and Solomon 
under Fremont, and Nicholas in the navy. 
Each did good service. Daniel, a year or two 
after, died at Sonoma. Nicholas lived to acquire 
great wealth, his deatli occurring in 1885. (The 
reader is referred to his biography elsewhere in 
this work.) Solomon, who a few years ago re- 
turned East, is now sixty-two years of age, and 
lives in Tennessee, in the county of his birth. 
One sister who came to this coast later, Mrs. 
Phebe Whitington, now lives in Oregon; and 
another sister, Mrs. Lovisa McAllan, lives in 
Missouri. Caleb C. Carriger, whose name 
heads this sketch, was born in Carter County, 
Tennessee, November 11, 1832, and he was in 
his fourteenth year when his family left Andrew" 
County, Missouri, to cross the pla ns and moun- 
tains to this coast. His home was made with 
his widowed mother in Sonoma for several 
years. She passed to the better life many 
years ago. " In partnership with his brother 
Solomon, Mr. Carriger bought 640 acres of land 
on the west side of the Sonoma Valley, nearly 
due west of Sonoma. Upon a portion of that 
purchase he yet lives. In the thirty years that 
Mr. Carriger has kept a record of the tempera- 
ture of this location, but once has tlie thermome- 
ter jegistered as low as twenty degrees above 
zero, and that was in the winter of 1887-'88. 
Oranges grow abundantly and profitably upon 
his property. From 170 trees a single crop has 
marketed for $700. Apricots, prunes, plums, 
quinces, pomegranates, pears and lemons all 
thrive at this favored place, and produce abun- 
dantly. October 29, 1863, Mr. Carriger wedded 
Miss Lizzie Veirs, who was born at Steuben- 
ville, Jefferson County, Ohio, and who came to 
California in February, 1861. Six of her seven 
children are living and at home, viz.: Margaret, 
Frederick, Nellie, Lizzie, Henry W. and Jessie. 
Frank, the second child, died at the age of fif- 
teen months. Mrs. Carriger's father, Jesse 
Veirs, an educated and cultured business man, 
was formerly a hardware merchant at Steubeti- 
ville. He was of an old Virginia family. 



Leaving his family in the East, he came to 
California in 1851. In San Francisco he was 
for many years intrusted with honorable posi- 
tions, managing the interests of others. His 
family joined liim in 1861. He lived a useful 
and honorable life, was respected and esteemed 
bj' all who knew him, and died in Oakland in 
December, 1876, at the age of fiftj'-eight years. 
Mrs. Carriger's mother, Margaret (Sweeney) 
Veirs, is a native of Ireland, and her home is 
now (1888) in San Francisco. 



fDWIN HARRISON BAbiNES, banker, 
of Healdsburg, is a native of Kentucky, 
born in Livingston County, not far from 
Snjithland, December 26, 1827, his parents 
being John and Diana Y. (Harrison) Barnes. 
He traces his ancestry back to North Carolina, 
his father either having been born in that State, 
or shortly after the family left there for Ken- 
tucky. His mother was born near Cadiz, Ken- 
tucky, and came of one of the oldest families of 
that State. In 1838 the Barnes family removed 
from Kentucky to Missouri, located in Scott 
County, and there the parents lived until their 
deaths. E. H. Barnes was in his sixth year 
when the family removed to Scott County, Mis- 
souri, and there he received his early education, 
finishing at Ford's Seminary, Cape Girardeau. 
On the discovery of gold in California, he de- 
cided to try his fortunes in the new field so full 
of promise, and on the lOtli of April, 1849, he 
left home to attempt the then perilous journey 
across the plains. He followed the regular emi- 
grant trail until the way diverges, one road 
going to Salt Lake. Instead, he chose the route 
by Sublett's Cut-off, thence via Bear River and 
the Lawson route. He reached California about 
the 10th of September, and on the Ist of Octo- 
ber was at Bid well's Bar, on Feather River, 
where he lay sick with fever previously con- 
tracted. He proceeded to Sacramento, and from 
there came to Sonoma County, arriving about 
the 1st of December, 1849. Here he had rela- 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



tives living, Josepli Gordon, one of the pioneers 
of the county, being his mother's uncle. For 
ten months he lived on Russian River, in Men- 
docino Township, then moved to the opposite 
side of the river, in Russian River Township, 
and, in partnership with William Potter, opened 
the first trading post north of Sonoma. The 
land he had selected lay in the tract claimed by 
Captain Cooper, under the El Molino grant, and 
he decided to take such measures as would in- 
sure liis title, whether the grant was confirmed 
or not. Going to the captain, he offered him a 
price for 250 acres, which was to be the pur- 
chase money in case the grant stood the test of 
the courts, and for the return of which he de- 
pended entirely upon the honor of Captain 
Cooper, in case of an adverse decision on the 
legality of tlie grant. The captain was glad to 
be recognized in the matter to that extent, and 
the affair was satisfactorily adjusted, so that Mr. 
Barnes, liy acting with good judgment at that 
time, secured liis land at a cheap figure, with- 
out having any cost of litigation to pay, or any 
of the aggravating annoyances which others ex- 
perienced. Of the wisdom and justice of his 
course there is now no doubt. In 1852 he 
bought out Mr. Potter's interest in the partner- 
ship, and sold a half share in the land and store 
to Lindsay Carson, brother of the noted scout. 
Kit Carson. He sold his share to Mr. Carson, 
who afterward sold to John G. McMeans, and 
tiie store was removed by him to Ilealdsburg 
•in 1855. On January 5, 1854, Mr. Barnes 
started on a trip back to Missouri, ciioosing the 
route via Nicaragua. In Missouri he visited 
friends and relatives, and, buying cattle, drove 
them across tlie plains and placed them on his 
ranch in Russian River Township. He im- 
proved the place and made his residence there 
most of the time until 1882, in which year he 
moved to Healdsburg. From 1804 to 1867 lie 
was associated with R. A. Petray in business at 
Windsor. Since the organization of the Farm- 
ers' and Mechanics' Bank of Ilealdsburg, he 
lias been its president. Mr. Barnes was married 
in this county, September 20, 1855, to Miss 



Mary M. Thompson, who came out to California 
in 1853, from Johnson County, Missouri, with 
her parents, John D. and Eliza M. (Steele) 
Thompson. Both parents died in this county. 
Mr. Barnes is past master of Russian River 
Lodge, No. 181, A. F. & A. M., Windsor, of 
which he was a charter member. He has been 
an eye witness to the changes which have trans- 
formed Sonoma County from a wilderness to its 
present prosperous condition. When he lirst 
came to the county, Sonoma was the only 
trading point or settlement, and the Carrillo 
adobe was the only ranch house of any conse- 
quence between Sonoma and Captain Fitch's 
place. The Pinos adobe, where D. D. Phillips 
now lives, was the only house on Dry Creek. 
There are but few, indeed, left in the county 
who were here during the first year or two of 
Mr. Barnes' residence in the county, yet he is 
to-day one of its active business men. His 
success in life is due solely to his own good 
judgment, business sagacity and industry, and 
he has always commanded the highest respect 
and esteem of the community. Mr. Barnes has 
never been from choice in public life, though 
always taking an active interest in the welfare 
of the community. However, in 1851 he was 
elected justice of the peace. 

•^g^^HARLES McHARVEY was born in Os- 
iulvi '^^^go County, New York, December 21, 
VI 1826. His father, Charles McIIarvey, 
was of Scotch descent, but a native of New 
York. His mother, whose maiden name was 
Amplias Jones, was a native of Vermont and a 
descendant of the Puritans of New England. 
The father died just before the birth of the sub- 
ject of this sketch, and in 1827 his mother 
moved to Crawford County, Pennsylvania, 
where she married John Welch, a farmer and 
shoemaker. Mr. McIIarvey was reared upon 
his step-father's farm until about seven years of 
age, when he left home and worked for a farmer 
in that section of the country until 1836. He 



HISTORY OF S0N031A COUNTY. 



then went to Titnsville, Pennsylvania, in the 
same county, and there remained, earning such 
a living as he could at farm and other labor, 
until fourteen years of age. While there Mr. 
McHarvey gathered oil (petroleum) from the 
springs, and in the section that has since become 
so noted for its oil wells and mineral wealth. 
He returned to his former home in 1840, con- 
tinued his farm labor, obtained what schooling 
he could nntil eighteen years of age, when he 
entered upon a three years apprenticeship as a 
blacksmith and carriage maker in Meadville, 
Crawford County, Pennsylvania. After serving 
his full apprenticeship, he established a shop in 
Randall Township, in the same county, and 
carried it on for two years. In 1849 Mr. Mc- 
Harvey married Miss Arrilla Near, a native of 
Jamestown, New York, and in 1852 removed to 
Meadville and carried on his business until 1854, 
when he started via the Isthmus route forCalifor- 
nia, arriving in San Francisco April 14th of that 
year. Soon after hisarrival lie located in Sor.onia 
County and established a blacksmith and car- 
riage shop at Sonoma, it being the second shop 
of this character opened in Sonoma Valley. In 
1855 he entered into partnership with R. B. 
Lyon, with whom he continued the enterprise 
until early in 1856, when he disposed of his 
interest to his partner, and took a trip through 
the mining districts. He then, in the same year, 
returned to his old home in Pennsylvania, and 
after remaining about a year, came back to So- 
noma County. Upon his return he purchased 
an interest in his old shop, it being at that time 
conducted by his old partner, Lyon, and V. 
Hope. Under the firm name of McHarvey. 
Hope & Co. this enterprise was successfully 
carried on until i860, when Mr. Lyon retired, 
and eight years later again purchased an inter- 
est in the firm, which in 1870 he sold to his 
partners, who conducted the same nntil the 
death of Mr. Hope, which occurred in June, 
1888. Since that time Mr. McHarvey has con- 
tinued the business under the old firm name, 
the widow of Mr. Hope retaining his interest. 
Thus it will be seen that for over thirty years 



Mr. McHarvey has been prominently connected 
with one of the most important mechanical 
and manufacturing industries of Sonoma A^'al- 
ley. These works are located on the west side 
of the plaza, and though the manufacturing 
industry is comparatively small, he is well pat- 
ronized in the blacksmith and repair shops. He 
is also dealing in wagons, agricultural imple- 
ments, etc. Mr. McHarvey is a part owner in 
the shops and also owns a tine cottage residence 
property on the corner of Spain and Third 
street west, also two lots and cottage on Napa 
and Second street east. Mr. McHarvey's long 
residence and business here has made him one 
of the well-known men of Sonoma Valley. His 
early life was spent in the struggle for a living 
among comparative strangers, thus being de- 
prived of the advantages of schooling; never- 
theless, by his industry, mechanical ability and 
straightforward course in business, he has 
achieved a much greater success in life than 
many who start in the race with all the 
advantages of which he was deprived. He is an 
enterprising citizen and has for the past four 
years been a member of the board of city 
trustees, and is now (1888) president of the 
board. He is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity and has for many j-ears been asso- 
ciated with Temple Lodge, No. 14, of that order. 
Politically, he is a Republican, taking a deep in- 
terest in the success of his party. From the 
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McHarvey there are 
three children living, viz.: Tammy, who 
married J. M. Cheney, living in Sonoma; 
Clarence, who married Miss Alice Porterfield, 
of Cloverdale, now living in Lake County, and 
Mary, who is married to R. M. Lee, of 
Jamestown, New York, and resides in San 
Francisco. 



l^jW^US. FANNIE McG. MARTIN, super- 
Al]i^|;^. intendent of Sonoma County public 
"^c&^ schools, was born in Pennsylvania, of 
which State her parents, Hugh F. and Jane 



UISTOSr OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



(Walker) McGaii^liey, were also natives. In her 
early childhood the fauiily moved West and set- 
tled in Macomb, McDonough County, Illinois, 
where her parents passed the remainder of their 
lives and both died in 1863. Some time after 
their decease Miss McGaughey went to Minne- 
sota, and desiring to prepare herself for the 
profession of teaching, took a course in the 
Minnesota State Normal School at St. Cloud, 
from which she was graduated in the class of 
1871. She taught in St. Cloud and Minneapo- 
lis three years, and in 1S74 came to California, 
and has been engaged in school-work, either as 
teacher, principal or superintendent in Sonoma 
County almost constantly since. She taught in 
Healdsburg one year as assistant principal, and 
the two years following was employed as prin- 
cipal of the schools of that place. She served 
one year as principal of the school at Sebastopol, 
after which she was elected principal of the 
Sonoma schools and occupied the position three 
years, resigning to enter upon the higher and 
more important duties of county superintend- 
ent, to which she was elected in the fall of 1886, 
and for the term of four years, took charge of 
the office January 1st, 1887. She was elected 
on the Republican ticket by the handsome ma- 
jority of over 400 votes over her male competi- 
tor, notwithstanding the county has usually 
gone Democratic. She is the iirst lady super- 
intendent of schools elected in Sonoma County, 
and is conceded to be one of the most pains- 
taking, thorough and efficient officers who have 
filled the position in this or any other cuunty of 
the State. Mrs. Martin is a zealous student of 
her profession, and having added to her theo- 
retical training fourteen years of practice in the 
school-roo7n as teacher and principal, she ranks 
among the leading public school educators of 
California. She belongs to the progi-essive 
school, and has instituted several valuable new 
features in the pedagogical work of this county. 
On May 31, 1876, the subject of this memoir was 
nnited in marriage with Edgar Martin, of So- 
noma County, but a native of Iowa, and a de- 
scendant of Virginia parentage. Two children 

39 



were born to them— Ednable, born August 17, 
1878, died November 18, 1884, and Edgar, 
born November 9, 1882. Mr. Martin died 
August 7, 1882. During the campaign which 
elected her county superintendent, Mrs. Mar- 
tin made nine public addresses before the people 
of the county on educational subjects. 

"••' l - l x l - l '-*' 

^mLONZO MEACHAM.— Among the pion- 
IjTy^ eers of California and the early settlers of 
^s^" Santa Rosa Township, is the subject of 
this sketch, a brief resume of whose life is as 
follows: He started on a schooner via the 
Isthmus of Panama, en route for Califor- 
nia. Arriving at the mouth of the Chagres 
River his party proceeded by canoes to the head 
waters of that stream, and thence on foot to 
Panama. There they chartered an English 
bark and continued their voyage to San Fran- 
cisco. On account of the long delays suffered 
in crossing the Isthmus and the transportation 
of their provisions, supplies, etc., and the slow 
sailing of their vessel, they did not arrive in 
San Francisco until May 18, 1849. Immedi- 
ately after his arrival he went to Placer County 
and engaged in mining. After a few months 
spent in the mines he returned to San Francisco 
where he engaged in his old occupation, trading 
and commission business. This business was 
successfully conducted until the great tire of 
May, 1852, which put an end to that undertak- 
ing. Mr. Meacham, in June of that year, came 
to Sonoma County and located near what is now 
the city of Santa Rosa. The only buildings at 
that time, in the now populous' city, was the 
adobe house occupied by Mallagh ifc McDonald 
as a public house. They also had a small stock 
of goods and groceries. Mr. Meacham bought 
them out and established a general merchandise 
store and trading post. Except for the small 
venture of Mallagh «i: McDonald, which they 
conducted less than a j'ear, Mr. Meacham is 
justly entitled to the credit of having established 
the first store in Santa Rosa Township. Shortly 



jiusTonr UK bONOMA vuuMry. 



after o.pening his store he sent a petition to 
Washington asiving for the establishment of a 
postoffice at that point. This petition was 
granted and Mr. JVIeacliam was appointed post- 
master. He gave the ofhce the name of Santa 
Rosa, to which the tc)wn of Santa • Rosa suc- 
ceeded. Mr. Meacliani is entitled to the grati- 
tude of })Osteritj for eonferi'ing this beautiful 
name. In the fall of 1852 Mr. Meacham's old 
partner, Barney Ploen, came to Santa Rosa, and 
purchased a half interest in the store. They 
conducted tiie business until May, 185B, when 
Mr. Meacham sold his interest^at the old adobe 
store to F. G. Ilahmau. In 1852 Mr. Meacham 
purchased seventy acres of land, where Santa 
Rosa now stands, from Julio Carrillo, paying 
twelve dollars per acre for it. The next year 
he sold the land to Iloen tt Co., and in the same 
year purchased 480 acres of land on the Mark 
West Creek. He took up his residence upon 
this land and since that time has devoted him- 
self to farming and stock-raising, an occupation 
in which he has been successful, proving that 
the same energetic, industrious habits and sound 
business principles that had secured him suc- 
cess in other pursuits, when applied to his 
present calling would produce like results. Mr. 
Meacham now (1888) owns 300 acres of his 
original 480 acre tract. This line farm is loca- 
ted on tli6 south hank of Mark West Creek, 
about two miles west of the town of Fulton, at 
Meacham Station, on the Guerneville branch of 
the North Pacilic Railroad. The land is rich 
and very productive, suited for the varied pro- 
ductions for which Sonoma County is noted. 
Eighteen acres are devoted to vineyard, pro- 
ducing wine grapes of the Zinfandel, Riesling 
and Chasselas varieties. He also has a line 
family orchard, producing a large variety of 
fruits. The rest of his land is devoted to hay, 
grain and stock. Among tlie latter are 400 
sheep, mostly Southdown. He also raises some 
line specimens of horses and cattle, but generally 
only such as are required for farm purposes. 
With tlie exception of two years — 1866 to 1868 
— durinir which time he resided in San Fran- 



cisco, in order to give his children better 
schooling facilities, Mr. Meacham has lived in 
the county since 1852. His straightforward 
business habits and consistent course of life 
have gained him a large circle of friends and 
acquaintances. He lias always taken a deep 
interest in the county and done much in aiding 
enterprises which he believed tended to advance 
the interests and welfare of the section in 
which he resides. Politically he is a Republican, 
and though not aspiring to office he takes an 
intelligent interest in all political matters 
aifecting county. State and nation. A strong 
supporter of public schools, he served for years 
as school trustee of his district. In 1850, 
while residing in San Francisco, Mr. MeachaiTi 
was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Tate, 
a native of Canada. From this marriage there 
are five children living, viz.: William, Charles, 
David, George and Elvira, 



OLOXEL R. H. WARFIELD, of Healds- 
,,.. burg, is a native of New York, born at 
^i RushviUe, Yates County, June 15, 1843. 
His father, Richard Nelson Warlield, was born 
in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, nineteen 
miles from Baltimore, on a tract of land 1,900 
acres in extent, wliich was entered in 1635 by 
the founder of the family in this country, and 
which is still held intact in the family name, an 
uncle of the subject of this sketch making his 
home there. Richard Nelson Wartield removed 
from Maryland to New York State, and was for 
many years a wholesale merchant of Rochester. 
He was born March 10, 1817, and his mother, 
Elizabeth Lamoreaux, of Maryland, who was born 
in 1796, is yet living. She was nineteen years old 
when the battle of Waterloo was fought. The 
mother of Colonel R. H. Warfield, whose maiden 
name was Rachel Elona Hill, was born iu Ver- 
mont, January 19, 1822, but was reared in 
Massachusetts at a place sixty miles from 
Boston. When the family removed to Rochester, 
New York, R. H. Warfield was eleven years of 



HlijTOnr OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



age, and he was placed by his father in the 
public schools of that city. He graduated from 
the high school, winning the first of the three 
prize scholarships of his class, and delivering 
the valedictory in Latin, lie at once entered 
the University of Rochester, from which he 
graduated with honor, taking the degree of 
Bachelor of Arts. His first military experience 
was with the Rochester Battery, known as " the 
Grays " (which was attached to the Twenty-fifth 
Brigade, N. G. S. N. Y.), during the draft riots 
in Albany, Troy and New York City, in July, 
1863. Returning home with the battery after 
its duties had been faithfully performed, he 
began, with others, the formation of Company 
E, to be attached to the Fifty-fourth Regiment, 
N. G. S. N. Y. At the organization of the 
company, he was elected Second Lieutenant, and 
commenced at once the study of the drill and 
discipline, soon becoming familiar with the de- 
tails. The National Guard, however, being re- 
moved from the active scenes of war, and its 
services then only nominal, he decided to get 
nearer the front, and, relinquishing his com- 
mand, enlisted as a private in the United States 
service, and was assigned to Company L, Fiftieth 
New York Volunteers — Engineers. This com- 
mand was termed in those days a veteran regi- 
ment, it having been with the Army of the 
Potomac since 1861. Through the study of "Ma- 
han on Engineering" and other military works 
Colonel Warfield became thoroughly familiar 
with the duties of his command, and his pro- 
motion was rapid. In March, 1864, he was 
commissioned Second Lieutenant, and in De- 
cember was promoted to First Lieutenant. He 
participated with his regiment in some of the 
severest engagements of the war, was at the 
Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Cold 
Harbor, Petersburg, etc., down to the surrender 
of Lee. Returning home with the regiment at 
the close of the war, he was unanimously ten- 
dered a Captain's commission by company 
K, Fifty-fourth Regiment, N. G. S. N. Y., 
which he accepted, remaining with his company 
until leaving Rochester for the West. While 



residing there he traveled in the interests of his 
father's house. In 1876 ('olonel Warfield came 
to California, and, after a residence of four or 
five months in San Francisco, located at Healds- 
burg. He was instrumental in the organization 
of the Farmers' & Mechanics' Bank, in 1877, 
and has been its cashier during its existence. 
He was a charter member of Post No. 1, G. A. 
R., Department of New York, and is probably 
the oldest member of the G. A. R. in California, 
in point of connection with the order. He is a 
companion of the California Commandery, M. 
O. L. U. S., and a member of the Society of 
the Army of the Potomac. Locally, he is asso- 
ciated with Rod Matheson Post, No. 17, G. A. R. 
As Commander of the Department of Califor- 
nia he attended the National Encampment of 
the G. A. R. at Portland, Alaine, and with his 
delegation was given the credit of obtaining for 
San Francisco tJie following National Encamp- 
ment. When he assumed the duties of the 
office of Commander, the Department of Cali- 
fornia embraced fifty-nine posts and 3,500 com- 
rades. At the expiration of his term these 
figures had been increased to ninety posts and 
4,545 comrades. For five consecutive terms he 
was Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge, 
Knights of Honor, then was made Past Grand 
Dictator by the Supreme Lodge, and is now 
serving as Grand Dictator of the Grand Lodge 
of California. Since 1886 Mr. Warfield has 
made his home at his ranch, on the Dry Creek 
road, within two miles of Healdsburg. This 
ranch contains sixty-five acres, of which seven 
acres are in fruit, and all but two acres of this 
in bearing. He has also 15,000 grape cuttings, 
one year old, the varieties being as follows, with 
numbers of each: Carignane, 6,000; Sauvignon 
Vert, 6,000; Burger, 1,500; and Grossblaue, 
1,500. The combinations of these four varieties 
make the finest qualities of Claret and Sauterne 
wine. He can thus sell his grapes or make 
them into wine as circumstances migiit suggest. 
Some of his fruit is marketed at canneries, 
while the remainder is dried on the place. For 
the latter purpose he has a Piummcr dryer 



HlaTORY OF SONOMA COUNT Y. 



(evaporator). Colonel Warlield married Miss 
Lnta Emerson, a native of Albion. Orleans 
County, New York, but reared in Tonawaiida 
and Kochester, same State. They have two 
children: George H., and Richard Emerson. 
January 8, 1889, Colonel Warfield was com- 
missioned Lieutenant-Colonel and Aid de-camp 
to the Commander-in Chief, Governor R. W. 
Waterman, and is now serving upon his staff. 



ATTIIEW HENRY DUNN, landscape 
crardener, was born in England thirty- 
^^^ eight years ago, and was there trained 
for his work by his father, Richard Dunn, and 
also by his eldest brother. For thirty-two years 
his father had charge of a wealthy nobleman's 
grounds, employing from eight to ten men 
under him. His eldest son, Thomas Dunn, was 
educated under him, and for twenty-eight years 
has been in charge of a similar large property, 
and he likewise is now training his two eldest 
sons for the same line of work. The subject of 
this sketch had charge of a fine place for five 
years before emigrating to the United States 
in June, 1870. After spending a short time in 
prospecting for a situation, he took charge of 
the premises of Leander Frost, of Boston, at 
South Orange, New Jersey, where he remained 
five years, having charge of a beautiful country 
seat, embracing orchards, lawns, gardens, etc. 
On leaving there he started for San Francisco, 
and after a short stay in that city went to San 
Jose, where he was employed for a short time. 
While there a fiiend telegraphed him of an 
opening for him in Oakland, and he at once re- 
plied that he would be there that evening. He 
went, met the owner of the place, George B. 
Bailey, and closed a bargain to take charge of 
liis place on Castro street, and was there seven 
years. Having accumulated some money, and 
hearing many flattering tales of the possibili- 
ties of becoming wealthy in Oregon and Wasli- 
ington Territory, he caught the fever, and went 
north, and after spending nearly a year there 



and being dissatisfied with the climate of those 
countries compared with that of California, he 
returned to Oakland in November. In the fol- 
lowing spring, 1884, he came to Santa Rosa, 
and has since made this his home. The private 
grounds here being in a crude state of ornamenta- 
tion, he found a good field for his work, and has 
since labored to educate the tastes and develop 
landscape beauties among the homes of this city. 
That he has succeeded in so doing is attested 
by the fact that many an uninviting yard has 
been transformed into a thing of beauty. Among 
the most notable are the School of the Sisters, 
consisting of about four acres, Judge Temple's, 
on B street, ilrs. Runyan's and several others 
on that street; and Mr. McDonald's elegant 
place on the avenue of the same name, and also 
B. M. Spencer's, Dr. Wiley's and Captain 
Good's, on the same avenue. April 1, 1888, 
throutrh the recommendation of private citizens 
familiar with his ability in landscape gardening, 
the board of supervisors of Sonoma County 
employed him to improve the court-house plaza 
which was then a bare piece of ground with 
nothino- but stones and weeds for ornaments. 
On the above date he commenced his work, ai.d 
within four months had transformed this un- 
sightly spot to one of the most delightful places 
to be found anywhere, and now, October 1, 
1888, it is pronounced the most beautiful court- 
house grounds in California. He has had the 
entire planning and charge of the work, and the 
achievement has surprised every one and has 
silenced all critics. The floral designs and ar- 
rangements are unique and exquisite, and lie 
has furnished all tlie plants and seeds for the 
decoration. The varieties are not less than 100. 
His plans are to improve upon the present and 
increase from year to year the attractions of the 
grounds. Mr. Dunn was. August 11, 1872, mar- 
ried in New Jersey to Miss Eliza Moffet, the 
youngest of the family of John Moffet. She 
came to this country from Scotland in her in- 
fancy. Mr. and ISIrs. Dunn have three sons 
living: Arthur Stuart, Ira Sankey and Frank 
Bernard. Mr. Dunn is entirely wrapped up in 



UlSTOliY OF SONOMA COUSir. 



his profession. It is almost his meat and drink. 
The only recreation in which he indulges is 
vocal music, being quite an amateur expert in 
that. He is a member of the Third Street 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 

^. .,?.3.i;.?.,., 



fOL. GEORGE F. HOOPER. — There is 
no finer or better cultivated and produc- 
tive estate in Sonoma Countj than the 
" Sobre Vista Ranch," owned by the above 
named gentleman. This magnilicent ranch is 
located on the west side of the Sonoma Yallev, 
about four miles north of Sonoma, and com- 
prises 900 acres of hill and valley land. Every 
thing that talent, industry and money united 
with experience can do, has been done to make 
this the model vineyard and orchard of the 
county. Ninety acres are in vineyard, produc- 
ing wine grapes of the most approved and 
choicest varieties. The product of these acres 
is manufactured into wine in a capacious winery 
of 75,000 gallons capacity, which has been 
fitted up with the most approved machinery 
and appliances that modern science and ex- 
perience has produced. In connection with 
this winery there is also a distillery. Of table 
grapes this ranch produces a line variety of 
Tokays, Corneshous, white Yerdels, etc., which 
are shipped East, where they command the 
highest market rates. One of the leading in 
dustries upon this place is the cultivation of 
French prunes, eighty acres being devoted to 
that fruit alone. The fruit is dried and pre- 
pared for the markets in a steam drier erected 
for this purpose. There is hardly a fruit grown 
in the State of California that is not being cul- 
tivated upon these lands. In addition to the 
various fruits so successfully cultivated through- 
out the county, we here find the orange, lemon, 
lime, etc., all yielding abundantly and without 
irrigation. There are also groves of pecan nuts, 
English walnuts, Japanese persimmons, the 
orange of China and citron. The olive grown 
upon this ranch is well worthy of mention. It 



produces the finest oil in the State, being awarded 
the first premium in the Mechanics' Institute 
fairs of San Francisco in 1887 and 1888, and 
also in the Sonoma County fairs whenever ex- 
hibited. Among the improvem >nts upon this 
estate is the mansion which Colonel Hooper has 
erected for his residence. Magnificent in pro- 
portions and of beautiful and pleasing archi- 
tecture, it is situated upon a commanding slope 
well protected by the wooded mountains of the 
Sonoma range and overlooks a landscape of un- 
rivaled beauty. A broad and shaded avenue 
leads from the public road to the beautiful and 
well ordered grounds surrounding the residence. 
No expense has been spared by the owner in 
fitting and furnishing this mansion. Colonel 
Hooper took up his residence here in 1876, 
after an active and successful life as a soldier, 
government surveyor, merchant, and banker. 
He is an intelligent and courteous gentleman, 
commanding the respect and esteem of all, and 
his intelligent and successful efforts in his agri- 
cultural, horticultural, and viticultural pursuits 
are doing much toward developing and showing 
the wonderful resources of Sonoma County. 

J^RSON A. TAYLOR was born in Addison 
'v^Ijf County, Vermont, in 1832, his parents 
•^^ being Augustus and Eunice (Willard) 
Taylor, both natives of Vermont. Mr. Taylor 
was reared as a farmer among the hills of his 
native State, and was early in life schooled to 
habits of industry and labor that have insured 
his success in after life. At the age of twenty- 
one years he started in life for himself. Leav- 
ing his native State he sought the great "West, 
and located in Van Buren County, Iowa, where 
he engaged in farm labor and other occupations 
until 1854r. In the spring of that year he 
started across the plains for California. This 
journey was accomplished by ox teams, and after 
undergoing the hardships and toils attendant 
upon such an emigration, he arrived at Sonoma 
County in the fall of 1S54. Tbcro he entragt'd 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



in farm labor for D. Grove for a short time, and 
afterward put in a crop of grain on shares. Tiie 
next year, being desirous of trying his fortunes 
in the mines, he went to El Dorado County and 
engaged in mining. He was engaged in this 
and other employments until 1857. He then 
entered into sheep-raising, a business tliat he 
successfully followed lor many years, during 
which time he resided in Sonoma, Sacramento, 
El Dorado and Ivern counties, taking his flocks 
to whatever county afforded the best advantages 
for grazing, etc. In 1869 he returned to his 
native State, and there married Miss Julia Ann 
Shep]ierd, daughter of Stephen and Mary Sliep- 
perd, natives of Vermont. Returning to Cali- 
fornia he resumed his former occupation, which 
he continued until 1877. In 1873 he purchased 
a tract of land in Sonoma County, and upon his 
abandonment of stock-raising, he took up his 
residence upon that land, since which time he 
devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. He 
is one of the representative farmers of his sec- 
tion. His fine farm comprises 365 acres in a 
most desirable location, on the north bank of Mark 
West Creek, in Russian River Township, Lone 
Redwood school district, one mile west of Mai-k 
West Station, on the North Pacific Railroad. 
These lands, of deep rich soil, are adapted to 
varied productions. Mr. Taylor has thirty-five 
acres of vineyard, producing wine grapes of the 
Zinfandel, Chasselas and Riesling varieties. He 
also has a tine hop field of thirty-five acres in 
extent. His lands seem particularly adapted to 
the profitable growth of the latter product, for 
he is producing some of the finest hops grown 
in Sonoma County. Among his improvements 
is a substantial and well ordered dry-hoiise, con- 
taining all the modern improvements. This 
dry -house is capable of drying and curing seven 
tons of hops per day, when run to its fullest 
capacity. Ten acres are producing alfalfa, four 
crops a year being taken from the fields. This 
is remarkable, as it is not irrigated land. The 
rest of the farm is devoted to hay, grain and 
stock-raising. Among the stock are 125 head 
of French merino sheep, also some tine speci- 



mens of American horses for farm and road use. 
In 1878 Mr. Taylor married his second wife, 
Mrs. Cordelia (McDowell) Williard, the widow 
of James Williard, a native of Penusylvania. 
She died in March, 1882, leaving one child, 
Augustus Orson, born Septembers, 1879. From 
Mr. Taylor's first marriage there is one child 
living, Julia Pauline, born March 10, 1871. 
Mr. Taylor's father is a member of his family — 
a hale and hearty old gentleman, now (1888) 
over eighty years of age. Mr. Taylor during 
hislong residence in California has traveled much 
and lived in several counties, but his choice set- 
tles upon Sonoma County. He is a strong ad- 
vocate and supportei" of ail enterprises that will 
build up the county of his choice, and he is a 
firm believer in. the glorious future that awaits 
his section. He is a life-long Republican, 
taking a deep interest and intelligent view of 
all political questions of the day. 



fW. YORK has been in the blacksmithing 
business in Healdsburg since 1875. In 
* that year he and his brother, A. A. York, 
opened a shop, but after four or five years C. 
W. York controlled the entire business. He 
does general blacksmithing and wagon-building 
and turns out only first-class work, all employes 
being good workmen. He also handles agri- 
cultural implements, carriages and buggies, and 
in all lines draws trade from many miles away. 
Mr. York is a native of Franklin County, Maine, 
born December 6, 1838, his parents being 
Daniel 'York and Elmira Shaw, both of whom 
were natives of Maine, and came of old families 
of that State. The subject of this sketch was 
reared in Maine, learning the blacksmith's trade 
in the town of Phillips, Franklin County. On 
the 18th of March, 1861, he left home for Cali- 
fornia, via Panama, and landed at San Francisco 
from the steamer Golden Gate, April 13, 1861. 
He went to Marys ville, thence to Red Blufl'; 
but back from there to Marysville, from there 
to Grass Valley, and three months later to Red 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



649 



Bluff. He worked at saw-milling six months, 
and between mining and haying was employed 
for anotlier year. He finally got a footing with 
Samuel Isaacs in Shasta City, and a year later 
became interested at Squaw Creek during the 
mining excitement there. His ventures Unally 
turned out disastrously and, in 1863, he went 
to Virginia City. He was engaged at his trade 
there and at Dayton until 1870, then came to 
Sonoma County and located two and one-half 
miles north of Windsor, where he farmed until 
coming to Healdsburg to open his shop here. 
He was married at Virginia City, in 1865, to 
Miss Dever, a native of Ii-eland. They have 
two children, Charles A. and Annie M. Mr. 
York is a member of the local lodge. No. 31, 
A. O. U. W. In 1888 he went back to Maine 
and made a pleasant visit among the friends and 
scenes of liis youth. 



fIDNEY K. COOPER, deceased, late presi- 
dent of the Santa Rosa National Bank, 
was one of the pioneer settlers of Sonoma 
County, having crossed the plains with his 
father's family, drawn by ox teams, in 1854, 
then a youth sixteen years of age. He was 
born in Missouri, during a temporary stay of 
his parents in that State, in 1838, and was one 
of a family of eight children — four of each sex — 
of John A. and Rhoda (Clark) Cooper, natives of 
Ohio. During the Black Hawk war, in 1832, 
in which he was a soldier, John A. Cooper re- 
sided in the then little village of Chicago. He 
moved to Iowa in 1841 or 1842 and settled in 
Lee County. After a few years residence there 
lie returned to Illinois for a short time; then 
returning to Iowa, located in Mahaska County, 
where the family remained until they came to 
California. Previous to bringing his family 
across the plains Mr. Cooper cajne witii his 
eldest son to this Mecca of the gold seekers in 
1850 and spent a year in the mines, when ill 
health compelled him to abandon the search for 
the yellow dust, and he returned to his home. 



the son remaining a year longer. On arriving 
in California with his family the elder Cooper 
spent some time in looking about for the best 
portion of the State in which to locate, and, 
finally deciding upon Sonoma County as his 
choice, he settled and passed the rest of his life 
here. He died in Santa Rosa in 1S71, leaving 
his widow, who still survives at the advanced 
age of seventy-eight years, and occupies her 
pleasant home at 720 Fourth street. The sul)- 
ject of this sketch spent the years 1854 and 
1855 in the mines with fair success, then came 
to Sonoma County and engaged in farming, in 
which occupation, and dealirg in live stock, 
most of his active life was spent. On starting 
out to fight life's battle Mr. Cooper realized the 
truth of the axiom that in union there is 
strength, and was united in marriage, in 1860, 
with Miss Chrilla J . Bowen, a native of Illinois, 
and daughter of William and Mary Bowen, 
California pioneers of 1852. Being industri- 
ous, frugal, and a good financier, Mr. Cooper 
was more than ordinarily successful in business; 
and when he retired from the country to Santa 
Rosa, in 1875, he owned several fine farms in 
Sonoma County. For eight years, from 1876 
to 1884, Mr. Cooper traveled with and nursed 
iiis older brother, William M. Cooper, who was 
an invalid and a great sufferer through all that 
period, death coming to his relief in the last 
year named. In 1886 Mr. Cooper, with others, 
organized the National Bank of Santa Rosa, of 
which he was a director and assistant cashier 
from its inauguration. He had active supervis- 
ion of constructing the vault and fitting up the 
bank, and it was while thus employed that the 
first symptoms of the insidious disease, that 
proved fatal two years later, first siiowed them- 
selves. From the opening of tlie bank Mr. 
Cooper had charge of the loaning department, 
for which his extensive knowledge of the people 
of the county and his prudent financial policy 
emitiently qualified him; and upon the resigna- 
tion of Edward W. D.ivis from the presidency 
(owing to failure of health), ISlr. Cooper was 
elected president of tiie bank, which position he 



050 



UISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



held till liis deatli, which occurred August 22, 
18S8. Mr. Cooper was a careful, conservative 
man in Lis business methods, and one in whose 
integrity and honesty those having dealings 
with him placed the utmost coniidence. Of 
their three children Dr. Eugene 'M. Cooper is 
practicing dentistry in Santa liosa, and Ella I. 
and Ida M. reside with the widow, in the home- 
stead on Healdsburg avenue. 



T^TILLIAM E. McCONNELL, attorney- 
' \ \\ :»t-law, and president of the Santa 
i*=Si5^ Rosa Bank, like very many of the 
men who have stamped their impress upon the 
community, the State, or the nation in which 
the}- live, as molders of thought, or masters in 
business, is a product of rural life. He was 
born in Blount County, East Tennessee, No- 
vember 23, 1839. He is the eldest of a family 
of three children of G. M. and Mary J. McCon- 
nell, who were natives of Tennessee. In the 
spring of 1850 G. M. McConnell started, with 
his family, to make the journey overland across 
the plains to California, where they arrived 
September 1, and located in the mines at Cold 
Springs, remaining there and at Yankee Jims 
two years, at the end of which time he settled 
on a farm near Woodland, in Yolo County. 
Opportunities for schooling were then very 
meager in that, as in most portions of this then 
young Commonwealth; and the subject of this 
memoir determined, in 1858, to invest the few 
hundred dollars he had accumulated in an edu- 
cation. At that time, and for a number of years 
after, the Cumberland College, then located at 
Sonoma, was a flourishing institution, under the 
control of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, 
and there young McConnell took a course of 
study, e.xtending over four years. He then 
came to b'anta Rosa, and entered the law office 
of Judge Charles P. Wilkins, as a student, in 
the fall of 1862. The following year Judge 
Wilkins died, and Mr. McConnell completed 
his studies in the ofiice of Judge William Ross, 



and was admitted to the bar in 1864. After 
spending a few months in Me.\ico he opened a 
law ofKce in Santa Rosa, where he has ever 
since been in active practice of his profession. 
He was elected to tlie office of district attorney 
in 187- for two years, and succeeded himself by 
re election, thus serving four years in that 
office, and each time being elected by a very 
large majority — in the first instance over his 
former preceptor, Judge Ross. This was the 
only political office for which he has been a 
candidate, though he has always been quite an 
active member of the Democratic party. Upon 
the death of E. T. Farmer, in October, 1885, 
Mr. McConnell was elected president of the 
Santa Rosa Bank, as his successor, which posi- 
tion he still fills with ability, and to the entire 
satisfaction of the stockholders of that prosper- 
ous financial institution, whose history is pub- 
lished on another page of this volume. In his 
law practice Mr. McConnell has made a spe- 
cialty of civil and probate law, and ranks among 
the ablest probate lawyers in California. As a 
business man he is honest, sagacious and con- 
servative — qualities which fit him in a i-emark- 
able degree for the very responsible jiosition he 
holds as the head of the largest and most wealthy 
banking house in Sonoma County. In April, 
1868, Mr. McConnell was joined in wedlock 
with a former college-mate. Miss Sarah J. 
Howell, a native of Missouri, but a resident 
from earl}' childhood of Merced County, Cali- 
fornia, where her parents immigrated early in 
the '50's. Of the five children born to Mr. and 
Mrs. M., two, the eldest and the third — both 
boys — are deceased. The three living are. 
May, aged fifteen years; Mark, eight, and Fred- 
erick W., one year old. 



-J-) 



lEORGE FKANKLIXG KING was born 
of English parentage, at Westtield, Mas- 
sachusetts, May 19, 1857, and is the fifth 
of six children, the first four being sisters, and 
the si.xth a brother. The family removed from 



Bl STORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Massachusetts to Chicago, Illinois, where the 
subject of this sketch attended school until 1871. 
He then came to California, and continued in 
school until 1873. At that time he took the 
position of assistant bookkeeper in a leading 
mercantile establishment in San Francisco, at 
the age of sixteen. Tlie vocation not agreeing 
with his health, he went to work at, and com- 
pleted, the trade of whip-making. He was at 
that time nineteen years of age. Being pro- 
ficient in dancing, Mr. King directed his atten- 
tion to giving lessons in that graceful accom- 
plisliuient. In this he was so successful that 
he abandoned his trade, and devoted himself 
entirely to this new vocation. He met with 
such marked success in his business, that in 
1878 he built the largest and most elegant hall 
and dancing academy in San Francisco. His 
bcliool grew to such proportions that he found 
Ills failing health was not equal to the work, 
and, meeting witii a chance to dispose of his 
academy to advantage, he sold it, and removed 
to Santa Rosa, Sonoma County. Here he formed 
a partnership with Clem Kessing, and carried 
on a mercantile business until 1884. At that 
time Mr. King sold out, and opened a large 
business on his own account. In two years his 
business had increased beyond the capacity of 
his quarters, and he took his present commodi- 
ous rooms in the Doyle & Overton Block, on 
Fourth street. His store is 40 x 100 feet, and as 
finely fitted up as any store in California. Mr. 
King built a residence at the corner of Hum- 
boldt and Ciierry streets, at a cost of .$6,000, 
and the property now rates at $10,000. In his 
business he keeps seven men employed, runs 
three wagons, and publishes a small pamphlet 
monthly,giving prices. In 1880 Mr.Kingwas uni- 
etd in marriage witli Miss Annie Josephine Kes- 
sing, daughter of John F. Kessing, one of Cali- 
fornia's oldest citizens. The result of this union 
is three children: tlie first, a daughter, born in 
1881; the second, a son, born in 1884; and the 
third, a daughter, born, in 1887. Mr. King's 
father died in 1888. His mother is still living, 
and is seventy-one years of age. He is a mem- 



ber of the Presbyterian church, and active in all 
enterprises conducive to the prosperity of Santa 
Kosa. 



fRANCISCO J. TACHECO.— Among the 
principal business and mechanical iiidus- 
^ tries of Fulton is the blacksmith and car- 
riage repair shop of Mr. Pacheco. In his well 
appointed shop is found all tools and material 
needed for the repair of carriages, wagons, 
agricultural implements, etc., besides all the 
requirements of conducting a first-class black- 
smith shop. Horse-shoeing with Mr. Pacheco 
is a specialty, and he is well supported and 
pati'onized by the community in which he 
resides. A brief sketch of his life in this con- 
nection is of interest. He is a native of Cali- 
fornia and dates his birth in Contra Costa 
County, October, 1854. His parents, Joseph 
and Jetrudes (Juarez) Pacheco, were born in 
Santa Clara County, and were descendants from 
the early Mexican or Spanish settlers of 
California. In his early youth the death of his 
fatlier left him to the care of his grandfather, 
by whom he was reared on a farm, where he 
became well versed in farming and stock-raising, 
particularly the latter. He also had some ad- 
vantages as regards schooling after ten years of 
age. At the age of twenty he left the farm and 
learned the trade of a blacksmith. At Pacheco, 
Contra Costa County, November 12, 1876, Mr. 
Pacheco was united in marriage with Miss Ro- 
sara Feguraga, the daughter of Mariano and 
Maria Feguraga, residents of San Francisco, 
where Mrs. Pacheco was born in 1859. Her 
parents were natives of Chili and came to 
California in 1849, during the gold mining 
excitement. They died while she was (juite 
young, and after their deatii she was reared in 
Contra Costa County. Mr. Pacheco worked at 
his calling in Pacheco until 1882. In this year 
he established a shop in Concord, in tiie same 
county, and successfully conducted this enter- 
prise until November, 1887. He tiien sold out 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



and moved to Sonoma County and started liis 
present enterprise at Fulton. He is a thorough 
mechanic and a straightforward business man, 
industrious and energetic, and a desirable acqui- 
sition to the community. Ilis early education 
was limited, but he has schooled himself by read- 
ing and study since arriving at man's estate, and 
is now well informed upon the current topics. 
In politics he is a strong Republican, evincing 
an intelligent interest in all political matters 
att'ecting the welfare of the nation. He and his 
wife are consistent members of the Catholic 
church. Mr. and Mrs. Pacheco have five 
children, Diana, Frank, Bersabe, Robert and 
ViUbnso. 

^ : :': > "!' ^-"'^ '■ *- 

f\ B. LANG. — The subject of this sketch re- 
1 sides upon the property known as the 
® "Old Poltner Homestead," on the road 
leading from Sonoma to Glen Ellen, on the west 
side of the valley. This estate of 183 acres is 
bounded on the east by Sonoma Creek, and on 
the west rests upon the foot-hills. Mr. Lang, 
while having been a resident of California since 
1868, has but recently lived in Sonoma County, 
having i)ought his home in February, 1887. 
He dates his birth in Monroe County, New 
York, in 1834. When he was quite young his 
family removed from that State to Canada. At 
the age of fourteen years he commenced life's 
battle on his own account, thus becoming the 
architect of his own fortunes. At Rochester, 
New York, he learned the carpenter's trade. 
Ambitious, and filled with a desire to see the 
West, he visited Chicago, Milwaukee, Dubuque 
and other points, and after spending about two 
years in St. Louis, he crossed the mountains to 
the Pacific coast. Reaching Oregon, he en- 
gaged in mining, and so continued for many 
years, becoming interested in ventures in that 
State, Montana and Colorado. In 1868 he be- 
came a resident of, and interested in in- 
vestments in Southern California, first having 
a home in Los Angeles County, where he owned 



a ranch of 300 acres at San Gabriel. From 
1869 to 1872 he had mining interests in San 
Diego County, to which he devoted most of his 
time. During those years Mr. Lang had many 
different homes in California, and a portion of 
his time he made San Francisco his headquar- 
ters. Having sold his San Gabriel ranch he, in 
1879, established his residence in Fresno 
County, where he still has mining interests. 
From that county he moved to his present home. 
Few men have led a more active life than Mr. 
Lang, and the quiet life of a ranch owner in So- 
noma County has but little charm for him, 
though he has been active during his short resi- 
dence here in improving his fine property. In 
San Francisco in 1880 he wedded Miss Katie 
Nolan, who was born in New York City. They 
have five children: Susie Burnie, Katie, Will- 
iam, James B. and Joseph. In politics Mr. 
Lang affiliates with the Republican party. He 
was initiated into the mysteries of Free Masonry 
at North Star Lodge, Owen Sound, Ontario, 
Canada. 



fF. SEAMAN. — One of the attractions of 
Healdsburg, Sonoma County, is it beauti- 
® ful cemetery, the courteous superintendent 
of which is the subject of this sketch. He was 
born in the city of New York in March, 1882, 
of Quaker parentage, being the son of Obediah 
and Mary (Fowler) Seaman, natives of lower 
Westchester County, where both families are 
well known and highly respected. Young Sea- 
man, like so many boys of his age, conceived an 
ardent desire to see the world, and at nineteen 
decided to come to California, which he did, ar- 
riving in San Francisco in 1851. The first 
position which he secured was a clerkship in the 
comptroller's office, in which position and in the 
tax collector's office he spent two years. In 
1855 he made a trip to Mexico, spending some 
time in Colima and then returning to California. 
In 1856 he came to Sonoma County with 
Colonel Roderic Matlieson, who had recenth' 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



653 



bought 1,000 acres of land lying east of what is 
now the town of Ilealdsburg, and known as the 
Sotoyoine ranch. It was upon this ranch in 
May of that year that Mr. Seaman first became 
identified with Sonoma County, and it is here 
that- he has lived since that time, engaged in 
fanning and stock-raising, in which, especially 
in tine horses, he has devoted much attention. 
Mr. Seaman has never married. Politically he 
is a Republican. For many years he has been a 
prominent member of the I. O. O. F. of Healds- 
burg; is a member of the K. of P., and also of 
the Knights and Ladies of Honor. Mr. Sea- 
man's geniality of disposition has endeared him 
to many friends. 



tDWIN P. THOMSON. — Among the 
many fine farms and vineyards in the 
Sonoma Valley are thofe in the neighbor- 
hood of Agua Caliente, one of which is owned 
by Mr. Thomson and is 100 acres in extent. 
It is located on the east bank of the Sonoma 
Creek, and is nearly all bottom land of a rich 
deep soil. Fifty acres are devoted to vineyard, 
producing mostly wine grapes" of such choice 
varieties as the Zinfandel, Riesling, Cabernet, 
Sauvignon Vert and others, and also a fine 
variety of Tokay and other table grapes. In 
addition to a familj^ orchard, which produces a 
large variety of choice fruits, Mr. Thomson is 
still further improving his farm by planting (in 
1888) twenty acres of olive trees, to which this 
locality is well adapted. The rest of the land 
is producing hay and grain. Mr. Thomson pur- 
chased this place in 1885 and, although not a 
farmer or viticulturist, he has made a succes in 
his enterprise. His previous training in mer- 
cantile and other business pursuits has given 
him practical business knowledge and habits 
that, when applied to his new calling, show that 
successful agricultural pursuits ■ consists of 
something more than merely delving in the 
soil. The subject of this sketch was born in 
Edinburg, Scotland, in 1860. His father. 



Thomas Thomson, was a native of that place. 
His mother, Mary (Phelps) Thomson, was born 
in England. Mr. Thomson's youth was spent 
in his native place, where he had the advantages 
of the excellent schools with which the city 
abounds. At the age of eighteen years he 
started in life by entering into mercantile pur- 
suits in London, England, where he was em- 
ployed in some of the large East India houses. 
He was also an expert tea taster, in which lucra- 
tive occupation he was associated with some of 
the largest tea importing houses in that metrop- 
olis. In 1881 Mr. Thomson visited the L^nited 
States and traveled extensively through the 
Eastern States, finally locating in ilontana, 
where he engaged in stock-growing. This oc- 
cupation he continued until 1885, when he came 
to California and, after visiting several sections 
of the State seeking a desirable location, he took 
lip his present residence, since which time he 
has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. 
In 1886, in the city of San Francisco, Mr. 
Thomson was united in marriage with Miss 
Mary Thomas, the daughter of Robert and 
Mary Thomas, residents of Healdsburg. One 
child, Waldo, has been born to them. 



fHARLES L. TORR was born in the city 
of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, October 31, 
1841. His father, John Torr, was a na- 
tive of England where, in the city of Liverpool, 
he had seven forefathers buried in the same 
cemetery. Mrs. Torr was a native of France. 
The family emigrated to Canada, where Charles 
was born and reared. When he was thirteen 
years of age he was apprenticed to learn his 
trade in a woolen mill owned by Hunt & Elliott, 
large manufacturers of that city, and worked at 
the business in Canada and New York up to 
1870. In 1867 he, together witli his brother, 
James W. Torr (now of Los Angeles), built a 
mill at Mount Albert, East Gilburry, Canada, 
and they conducted the business for three years 
when Mr. Torr boucjlit out his brother's interest 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



and continued it alone for a short time. In 
1870 he was sent for to come to California and 
take charge of the woolen mills at Merced Falls, 
where he acted as superintendent for about three 
years. He then, with two other parties, bought 
a woolen mill at Los Angeles, where he was in 
business for nearly five years. He then sold his 
interest there, came to Petalunia and bought 
tlie controlling interest in the mill at this place, 
after which he formed a copartnership with 
Maurice JS'ewburgh, which partnership contin- 
ues to the present time. Mr. Torr is a thorough 
mechanic in his profession, there being no less 
than seven different branches of trade connected 
with the woolen mill, any of which he is capa- 
ble of doing, from the adjustment and setting 
of any part of the machinery to the dyeing of 
some of the finest woolens. Mr. Torr is a 
member of the Masonic Blue Lodge and chap- 
ter of Petaluma, having first joined the order 
in Ontario in the spring of 1863; he also be- 
longs to the order of the Eastern Star, and is a 
member of the Petaluma fire-department. He 
was married in 1862 to Elizabeth R., daughter 
of Henry Crawford, of Pickering, Ontario. 
They have five children: Dudley L., Ida May, 
Lee O., Mead O. and Lottie May. 



tNDPvEW J. THOMPSON was born in 
Pictou, Nova Scotia, March 14, 1844, his 
parents being John and Margaret (Mc- 
Donald) Thompson, both natives of Scotland. 
They emigrated to Nova Scotia over sixty years 
ago, the father being engaged in farming, to 
which occupation the subject of this sketch was 
reared until the age of fifteen years. He tlien 
began an apprenticeship as a wagon maker, and 
afterward as a carpenter. In 1861 Mr. Thomp- 
son came to the United States and located in 
Maine, where he worked at his trade for about 
one year, then going to Wisconsin and remain- 
ing at Foud du Lac and Green Bay until 1864. 
In that year he came by the Isthmus route to 
California, arriving at San F'rancisco September 



2, 1864. Immediately after his arrival he pro- 
ceeded to Vancouver's Island, and was there 
engaged at his trade for a year or more, after 
which he went to Washington Territory and lo- 
cated at Seattle. AVhile there he was engaged 
as a spar maker and ship carpenter, as well as 
at his trade of carpenter and joiner. In 1868 
he started upon his return trip East, but npon 
his arrival at San Francisco learned of the prev- 
alence of yellow fever upon the Isthmus. He 
therefore delayed his trip, and went to Mendo- 
cino Count}' where he worked in the lumber 
mills for some months. He then returned via 
steamer route to New York, and thence to Wis- 
consin. After his return to that State he 
worked for a number of years at his trade and 
was also employed in the railroad shops at Fond 
du Lac and Green Bay. In 1874 he married 
Miss Hannah Johnson, a native of Minnesota, 
and in 1877 came with his wife to California, 
locating in Mendocino County. After remain- 
ing there six months he came to Sonoma County, 
lived in Santa Rosa a short time, and then es- 
tablished a wagon making and repair shop in 
Sebastopol. This enterprise he conducted for 
about a year, when he sold out and engaged at 
his trade as a carpenter. In 1885 he was 
severel}' injured by falling from a building, 
since which time he has been unable to work 
steadily at his trade. Alter recovering from 
his injuries sufficiently to enable him to engage 
in any business, he established a variety store 
in Sebastopol, an enterprise that has prov.en 
successful. In 1881 Mr. Thompson purchased 
fifteen acres of land on the Green Valley and 
Sebastopol road, about three-quarters of a mile 
northwest of Sebastopol. This land was en- 
tirely uncultivated and in its wild state. From 
the time of his purshase he has devoted a great 
deal of his attention to the clearing, planting 
and improvement of his home, and has now a 
fine orchard of five acres, producing a large 
variety of fruits, such as peaches, apples, pears, 
French jirunes, cherries, etc. He also has a 
large variety of table grapes. A neat and com- 
fortable cottage residence, and substantial out- 



HISTOIlY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



buildings (all the work of his own hands), 
attest the success which has accompanied his 
laliors. His land is all well adapted to fruit and 
vine cultivation, and he is each year iiicreasing 
his orchard. Mr. Thompson is an industrious, 
energetic, straight-forward man, and is respected 
and esteemed by the community in which he 
resides. He is a consistent member of the 
Methodist church, and also a member of Santa 
Rosa Lodge, No. 87, K. of P. Politically he 
is a Republican, taking an intelligent interest 
in all matters effecting the interests of the 
county. 

t[UGENE FRANKLIN PRATT was born 
at Downer's Grove, Du Page County, Hli- 
i5p' nois. in 1851, being the son of W. B. and 
Alzira (Page) Pratt, the latter a native of Ver- 
mont. W. B. Pratt, a merchant and miller, 
emigrated to California in 1869, settled at Cal- 
istoga and afterward removed to Durham, Butte 
County, where he died in 1880. Young Pratt 
spent the years of his boyhood at school and in 
his father's store at Lake Forest, Illinois, and 
when the family emigrated to California he came 
with them, being employed in his father's mill, 
where his education as a practical miller and 
machinist was acquired. In 1870 Mr. Pratt 
went to Idaho and engnged in teaming from 
Winnemucca, Nevada, to Silver City, Idaho, a 
distance of 210 miles. Returning to California 
in 187-4 he engaged in the livery business at 
Calistoga. Mr. Pratt was married in 1875 to 
Emma J. Teale, daugliter of Peter Teale, one of 
the pioneer settlers of Napa Valley and a native 
of the West Indies, of French and English ex- 
traction. They are the parents of three chil- 
dren: Harry, Elmer, and Robert Delafield. In 
1880 Mr. Pratt removed with his family to 
Washington Territory'. He recounts with pecu- 
liar interest many incidents which occurred on 
the overland journey which M'as made with a 
four-horse team, this being during the Nez 
Perces war. The Pratt family witnessed the 



battle of Umatilla. They settled at Pataha and 
engaged in farming for two years, but the In- 
dians were so troublesome that they became dis- 
couraged and returned to Napa, California, in 
1882. This being about the time of the vine- 
yard boom in that section of the State, he suc- 
cessfully engaged in the business, planting, 
selling and dealing in vines and vineyards until 
1884, when he was induced by Mr. R. Dalafield 
to take charge of his ranch in Knight's Valley 
and also to engage in the manufacture of wine. 
Purchasing what was known as the Foss cottao-e, 
near by, for liis family residence, he removed 
his family from Calistoga and entered into the 
service of Mr. Dalafield, with all the energy and 
enterprise which are his leading characteristics. 
The winery which has grown up under his 
supervision (and of which a full description may 
be found on another page of this work) is an ex- 
tensive one and Mr. Pratt has fully utilized the 
mechanical knowledge acquired in former years, 
by introducing many improvements and making 
it as near perfection as possible. Cleanliness 
and order are the leading characteristics of the 
establishment, and no expense of money, time or 
care is spared in producing a vintage which is 
already becoming favorably known to the public 
and which is destined to take high rank in 
brands of California wines. Politically, Mr. 
Pratt is a Republican, but believes in selecting 
the best men for any ofhcial position irrespective 
of part}' lines. For eight years he has been 
an active Odd Fellow, and is also affiliated with 
the Masonic order, being a member in the third 
degree, and has been a worker in his lodge for 
several years. Above all he is a lover of home 
life and home influences. 



REDERICK JAMES YANDLE was born 

in Somersetshire, Enujland, on the 12th of 

7^ July, 1845. He remained at home until 

he reached the age of twenty-one years, when 

he embarked for America, landing in New York 

in 1866. He went direct west from New York 



C56 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



and located at Eockton, Illinois, where for two 
years he worked at his trade as a mill-wright. 
From there he went to Beloit, Wisconsin, where 
he remained fonrteen years, working as a ma- 
chinist. From Beloit he removed to California 
in 1884, taking up his residence in San Fran- 
cisco, where for a time he was foreman of the 
Sutter Street Railroad. In the spring of 1885 
he moved to Santa Rosa, where he established 
the Santa Rosa Foundry and Machine Works. 
His establishment was destroyed by fire in 1886. 
Unfortunately for Mr. Yandle, his insurance 
had expired only two days prior to the disaster, 
and he suffered the entire loss. But with in- 
domitable energy and pluck, he set immediately 
to work, and in less than a month he had his 
Avorks rebuilt, and commenced operations again. 
In the fiiU of 1887 Mr. Yandle took in as a 
partner Mr. F. B. Glynn, and enlarged the busi- 
ness. It now comprises a foundry, machine 
shop, planing mill and a lumber yard, and is 
at present one of the largest and best furnished 
establishments of the kind on the north side of 
the Bay of San Francisco. The firm name is 
now Yandle & Glynn. Two years after land- 
ing in America Mr. Yandle was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Katie Carroll, of Beloit, Wis- 
consin. She was born in London, England, 
March (), 1848, and came to America with her 
parents in 1850. The result of this union is 
two children: Willie, born in August, 1872, and 
Harry, born in December, 1873. In the fall of 

1888 Mr. Yandle returned to his old home in 
England to visit his aged mother, as well as 
brothers and sisters. In the early months of 

1889 he returned to his Santa Rosa home, and 
has again settled down to a supervision of his 
extensive business. 



fUDGE MURRAY WHALLON was bom 
at Mayville, Chautauqua County, New 
York, August 14, 1816. His father, Henry 
Whallon, was a native of New Jersey. He was 
married in AVashington County, New York, his 



wife being a native of Bucks County, Pennsyl- 
vania, after which, in March, 1812, he went to 
Mayville, Chautauqua County. He was a car- 
penter and joiner by trade, working at that a 
part of the time, and later engaging in farming. 
He worked at his trade in Erie, Pennsylvania, 
and assisted iti building the fleet of Commodore 
Perry. In 1831 he moved to North East Town- 
ship, Erie County, where he bought a farm and 
resided until his death, which occurred in 1850, 
at the ripe old age of seventy-seven. His wife 
died in 1858, in Mayville, New York, at the 
same age. They had a family of eleven chil- 
dren, of whom eight lived to be grown — six 
sons and two daughters. One son, S. S. Whal- 
lon, was one of the canal commissioners for the 
State of New York, and died in 1858 at Erie, 
Pennsylvania. Another son, James H. AYlial- 
lon, was a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal 
church in western New York and western Penn- 
sylvania for about thirty years, and for several 
years was presiding elder. He died in 1880 
at Erie, Pennsylvania. Murray Whallon was 
among the younger members of his father's 
family. He was educated at the Mayville 
Academy, and on the 7th of September went to 
Erie, Pennsylvania, where he tanght school two 
winters, and in the meantime pursued his 
studies in law under Sylvester W. Randall. 
He was admitted to the bar of Pennsylvania in 
1839, and practiced his profession in that 
county for several years, where he took an 
active part in the political issues of the day. 
Early in life he showed a tendency toward polit- 
ical matters, and before he was of age he at- 
tended a young men's Democratic convention, 
and was placed upon a committee along with 
other able young men, among whom was Frank- 
lin Waite, of Jamestown, New York, and Her- 
man Risley, of Fredonia, New York. This 
committee prepared an address that was pub- 
lished and extensively circulated in western 
New York. At Erie, Pennsylvania, he was 
placed on a committee of the Democratic party 
of that city, to call a mass meeting on the 10th 
of September, 1840, and was appointed and 



lUSTOliV OF SONOMA COUNTY 



acted as grand marshal of that meeting, which 
was composed of from thiitj to iorty thousand 
people. He was elected in 1853 to the second 
mayorship of the city of Erie, and served that 
term. These events were immediately preced- 
ing what is known as the Erie Railroad war. 
In 1854 a controversy was aroused between the 
people and the Erie & Northeast Railway Com- 
pany, a short road leading from Erie to the New 
York State line. Under the charter of that road 
the company was prohiljited by law to occupy 
with their track any street or public hitrhway 
open. In direct opposition to tlieir contract, 
they, in the construction of the road, occupied 
about a mile of the public highway leading from 
Erie to Buffalo, and a mile of a street in the 
city of Erie. When this controversy arose, the 
supervisors of tlie township of Harbor Creek, 
who had control of the public highways, and 
the city council of Erie, by resolution and ordi 
nance, determined to and did remove the rail- 
road track from the highway and street, or 
enough of it to make a break of seven miles in 
the road. The matter was taken to the Supreme 
Coi^rt of Pennsylvania, which decided that the 
township and city autiiorities had a right to re- 
move the road. An application was made from 
that section to the Legislature. A bill was 
passed which was signed by the Governor, re- 
pealing the charter of the railroal from Erie to 
the Ohio State line, and placing the road in the 
hands of three commissioners, which consisted 
of William F. Packer, afterward elected Gov- 
ernor ot Pennsylvania; Alexander McClure, 
now editor of the Piiiladelphia J'iuies, and 
Murray Whallon, the subject of this sketch. 
At the next session of the Legislature, the Dem- 
ocratic and Whig convention, the conventions 
of both parties who had opposed the course the 
railroad couipany had taken, nominated for the 
Legislature Gideon J. Ball, afterward treasurer 
of that State, and Murray Whallon. During 
tliat session the railroad corjjorations, including 
the leading railroads of Ohio and New York, 
by corruption, succeeded in passing a bill through 
the Legislature, giving them alegal right to what 



they had claimed in this long contest. This was 
only done after a protracted contest in the house, 
lasting over two weeks, during which Mr. Whal- 
lon and his colleagues held the floor in opposi- 
tion to the bill until the afternoon of the last 
day of the session. The speaker of the house, 
having the same views on the matter, enabled 
them to obtain the floor. In 1845 Mr. Wliallon 
was appointed collector of customs at Erie, 
under the Polk administration. In August, 
1857, he received a letter from Judge Jeremiah 
S. Black, the attorney-general of the United 
States under the administration of President 
Buchanan, offering him a position as superin- 
tendent of Indian affairs for Utah, which he 
declined. In November of the same year he 
was called to Washington by letter from Gov- 
ernor William Bigler, then United States Sena- 
tor from Pennsylvania. He went there and 
soon after was appointed, with e.x-Governor 
Hugh J. Anderson, of Maine, on a commission 
to investigate the defalcation of the melter and 
refiner in the San Francisco mint. Connected 
with this were several other important matters 
pertaining to tliis coast. After spending about 
a month e.xamining the correspondence at Wash- 
ington relating to the matter, and gaining what 
information he could at the mint at Philadel- 
plna and at the assay office at New York, with 
his colleagues he sailed from New York for San 
Francisco, January 20, 1858, arriving at the 
latter place February 14. They were engaged 
in the investigation of that question, the exami- 
nation of the affairs of the custom liouse and 
land office at San Francisco, and looking into 
the affairs of tJie different custom houses on the 
coast from San Diego to Oiympia, for about 
ten months. On the return trip they sailed 
together fr.om San Francisco to Havana, and 
owing to the condition of Mr. Whallon's healtli, 
thinking it not best to go north at that time of 
the year (January), deferred his journey, and 
arrived in Washington in March, 185'J, when 
tliey completed their reports to tiie satisfaction 
of the authorities at Washington. In an inter- 
view with the president, he learned from him 



658 



HI 'STORY OF 80N0JfA COUNT V. 



that Edwin M.Stanton liad requested the presi- 
dent to appoint Mr. Whaiion to the position of 
superintendent of Indian affairs for California. 
The president said he could not do that, for he 
did not think he was sufficiently acquainted 
with the Indians to take charge of the affairs. 
He went to the treasury department one morn- 
ing, where he met his colleague, Governor An- 
derson, who said the president had sent to the 
department for his name. It was learned that 
the president had sent his name to the senate 
for tiie appointment of customs at Erie, Penn- 
sylvania. When Mr. Whallon saw the presi- 
dent, he said he had sent in his appointment 
for the ])osition, because the appointment had 
to be filled before the senate adjourned. Mr. 
Whallon went to Erie and discharged the duties 
of that office until May, 1860, when Governor 
Bigler wrote to him that the president had con- 
cluded to send him to California again to assist 
in the trial in the cases of the United States 
against the defaulting melter and refiner of the 
mint, and two cases against the defaulting col- 
lector of customs. He went to Washington 
and soon learned that the secretary of the treas- 
ury had removed Ross Brown, who had been 
acting as special agent of the treasury depart- 
ment for the Pacific coast. The secretary of the 
treasury ofiered him the appointment in con- 
nection with this other matter. He accepted, 
and after getting his instructions, sailed for this 
coast in May, 1860. He discharged the duties 
of that position for about fourteen months, and 
in the meantime assisted the district attornej^ 
Calhoun P>enham, in trj'ing the cases of the 
United States against Ilaraszthy, the melter and 
refiner, and his sureties. The other cases he 
was not able to try, for the war came on and 
the Lincoln administration came into power, 
when Mr. Whallon was removed. Iti March, 
1861, he purchased a vine^'ard in Sonoma Val- 
ley, and in 1862 his family removed to this 
State. The next year he was nominated, against 
his protest, by the Democratic convention of 
this county, for the State Legislature, and after 
an e.xcitiug canvass, in which he made over 



twenty speeches, the whole ticket was elected. 
He occupied a seat in the Legislature during the 
session of 1863-T)4, and was one of the twelve 
Democrats in the house. In 1865 he was nomi- 
nated and elected county recorder and ex-ojficio 
auditor of Sonoma County. Near the close of 
his term he received a letter from Mr. Olmton, 
who was then State comptroller, stating that in 
his annual report he had i-ecom mended to the 
Legislature the appointment of a commission to 
consist of three auditors, to revise the revenue 
laws of the State, and asking Mr. Whallon's 
permission to use his name, to which he agreed. 
The report was made and printed, but nothing 
was done in the matter by the Legislature. In 
1883, seeing the contest coming up between 
Carlisle and Randall for speakership, and long 
knowing Mr. Randall and agreeing with him 
upon his views of the tariff question, and having 
high appreciation of his ability as a speaker and 
admiration for his character as a man and legis- 
lator, he wrote him a long letter, giving his 
views on the tariff, and urged him to introduce 
a bill to repeal the entire internal revenue sys- 
tem, giving strong reasons for so doing. Mr. 
Randall acknowledged the receipt of the letter 
at once, and said he would ansiver it in two or 
three days, which he did in a twelve-page letter, 
stating that he and Governor Curtin agreed 
with his views, and entirely endorsing what he 
had said. After thanking him for the interest 
he bad taken in the contest, he asked him to do 
what he could to forward his chances with this 
litigation. Up to that time the Democratic 
party in this State was apparently solid for a 
tariff for revenue only, believing with Mr. 
Randall and Governor Curtin, the Democratic 
party could not obtain and control the majority 
of the electoral vote of this country on that 
issue when sharply made, although that was in 
the platform of the canvass of 1876. J^ut then 
their success depended and was won upon the 
issue of retrenchment and reform, the question 
of the tariff not having been discussed, if at all, 
but slightly. Mr. Whallon moved to San Rafael 
at that time for the purpose of assisting in this 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



659 



work, and liis correspondence and personal in- 
terviews with the members-elect to Congress, 
succeeded, with the :iiJ of others, in producing 
a change of sentiment upon this subject. At 
that time many of the leading Democrats in the 
State took the same view of the subject that 
Mr. Whallon did, and, by themselves and with 
him, joined in letter and dispatches addressed 
mainly to General Rosecrans, a member of Con- 
gress from this State, urging him to support 
Mr. Randall for the speakership. Prominent 
among those who did so was William T. Cole- 
man, W. D. English, then and now chairman 
of the Democratic State Central Committee, 
and Hon. J. S. Hager, now collector of customs 
at San Fi'ancisco. Judge Whallon moved to 
Petaluma in 1883. He was married in Janu- 
ary, 1842, to Adelia A. George, a native of 
Erie, Pennsylvania. They have had seven chil- 
dren, of whom two are now living — Clinton 
George Whallon, residing at Modesto, Califor- 
nia, and Leila Emma, wife of Mayor John 
Brown, of Santa Rosa. 



t EDGAR RICKSECKER, surveyor, is a 
native of eastern Pennsylvania. He 
* grew to maTihood and received his edu- 
cation in his native State, and there engaged in 
teaching for six or seven years. In 1868 he 
met, in Philadelphia, the division engineer of 
the Salt Lake division of the Union Pacific 
Railroad, and engaged with him to come West 
in the employ of the company, which he did 
the same year in the month of February. They 
came through on stage coaches from Chey- 
enne, the then terminus of the road to Salt 
Lake City. He remained in the employ of 
the company for two years, and a large por- 
tion of the time had charge of the division en- 
gineer's office. On leaving this comp:iny, he, 
with other civil engineers, went East and tor 
some time was engaged in making surveys for 
railroad lines in the Central States, and also did 
other surveying work. In 1871 he went to 



Puget Sound in the emphjy of the Northern 
Pacific Company. The failure of Jay Cook put 
a stop to the progress of that company's opera- 
tions for a period of years. In the interval "be- 
tween 1871 and 1881 he was variously engaged 
at surveying, ranching, etc., living several years 
of the time in San Francisco. In 1881, the 
work on the JSTorthern Pacific Railroad hav- 
ing been resumed, he was again employed by 
the company for fifteen months, with his head- 
quarters at Spokane Falls. In 1882 he came 
to Sonoma County and purchased a tract of 
land between Occidental and Duncan's Mills, 
sixteen miles from Santa Rosa, which he still 
owns. This tract consists of fifty-five acres, ten 
acres in bearing vineyard, and several acres in 
prunes and other trees. His vineyard has an 
altitude of 400 feet. In 1887 Mr. Ricksecker 
came to Santa Rosa in the interest of the Sebas- 
topol Railroad, for Donahue, and surveyed and 
located the line which has not yet been built. 
Since locating here he has conducted a private 
surveyor's office, and has had a fine business. 
Mr. Ricksecker's father, Edmond Ricksecker, 
was a surveyor and also an enthusiastic student 
of natural history, and the son inherited his 
tastes in both directions. He began the study 
of natural history in early boyhood, and has 
always devoted his spare time to the collection 
and classification of specimens in botany, orni- 
thology and entomology, and jwssesses a fine cnl- 
lection in each class, but he has an extraordinary 
collection of entomological specimens. Daring 
his residence in San Francisco he collected 
2,000 specimens of coleoptera, and mounted 
them elegantly. These he sold to the State 
University for the College of Agriculture. 
Since 1881 he has collected and now has, 
mostly mounted, 3,200 species and 30,000 speci- 
mens of coleoptera. They are chiefly a Pacific 
coast collection, although he has many speci- 
mens from the States east of the Rocky Moun- 
tains, and some from Europe which he obtained 
by exchange. Many of his specimens he raised 
from the larv.B state. He is one of ten or 
twelve scientists on this coast who have engaged 



cuo 



IllsritltV (IF So.yo.UA COUNTY. 



in the entomological work for life, and for the 
pleasure it yields. Mr. Ricksecker is a zealous 
eutliusiast iii the study of insect life, and reads 
and discusses the volumes of beautifully pre- 
served bugs and moths as eloquently as an 
orator would read a fine oration, or an elocution- 
ist, a book of poems. He spent nine months 
in the United States service in 1863-'64, being 
a member of the One Hundred and Fifty-third 
Pennsylvania Infantry, and participating in the 
battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Mr. 
Ricksecker was united in marriage, in 1881, 
with Miss McFarland, a native of California, 
boru in Sierra County, near the summit of the 
range of mountains by the same name. She was 
reared and educated in San Francisco. They 
have three children. Mr. Ricksecker also has 
three children by a former marriage, a son and 
daughter married. Mr. Ricksecker is the Re- 
publican nominee for county surveyor of Sonoma 
County. 

to ■*' * a)' 



.\IiTIN LITCHFIELD. — Among the 
fine orchards in the neighborhood of 
S^^ Sebastopol — the most productive fruit- 
growing section in the county — is tliat of the 
subject of this sketch. He is the owner of 
ninety acres of as productive fruit land as there 
is in Sonoma County, forty-live acres of this 
land being devoted to orchard, divided as fol- 
lows: Hfteen acres of French prunes, fifteen 
acres of peaches, such as Wiley cling, Orange 
cling and Crawfords (early and late), five acres 
of aj)j)les, five acres of Bartlett pears, and five 
acres of Golden Drop pears. There are also 
fifteen acres of grapes, of the Zinfandel variety, 
and he has a family vineyard containing a large 
variety of table grapes. The rest of his land 
is still in its wild state, covered with a heavy 
growth of fir timber. Mr. Litchfield has made 
a ]ierfect success in his horticultural and viti- 
cultural operations. His French prunes have 
several times been awarded the first premium in 
Sonoma County fairs. Nearly all of this orchard 



and vineyard has been planted by him. When 
he took up his residence upon the lands in 1880 
there were but ten acres in orchard, and a small 
vineyard, which he uprooted and planted the 
ground with peach trees. There is on this place 
a fine cottage residence and commodious out- 
buildings, including a fruit dryer, nearly all of 
which improvements have been made by Mr. 
Litchfield. In this connection a sketch of his 
life will be found of interest. He was born 
in Coshocton County, Ohio, May 22, 1836, 
the son of Chauncey and Martha (Knight) 
Litchfield, who were natives of New York. 
When he was about a year old his father 
moved to Fulton County, Illinois, and there 
engaged in fanning and stock-raising. Mr. 
Litchfield was early inured to farm labor, receiv- 
ing at tiie same time such educational advan- 
tages as the common schools aftbrded. In 18i3 
the dtatli of his father occurred, leaving the 
care of the family and the management of the 
farm dependent upon the mother. It was thus 
that the subject of this sketch was, at tlie early 
age of fifteen years, in charge of tnost of the 
out-door M'ork upon the farm. He was one of 
the first to enter into grape and fruit culture in 
Fulton County. The experience and practical 
knowledge he gained in his young manhood in 
Illinois, have been shown by the success before 
mentioned in this county. Mr. Litchfield even- 
tually became the sole owner of the old home- 
stead by purchasing the interests of the other 
heirs. In 1858 he was united in marriage with 
Miss Elizabeth Pollock. She was the daughter 
of David and Mary (McMiller) Pollock, resi- 
dents of Fulton County. Mr. Litchfield con- 
ducted his farming operations upon the old 
homestead until 1879. In that year he visited 
California, and after making a tour of various 
sections of the State, seeking a desirable loca- 
tion, he came to Sonoma County. Delighted 
with the place, he sought no further, but pur- 
chased the land before described. He then re- 
turned East and after disposing of his interests 
there, returned with his family and took up his 
present residence. Although Mr. Litchfield's 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



residence in tliis county is comparatively brief, 
he has identified liimsclf from the first with all 
enterprises that tend to promote the interests 
and welfare of the comnmnity in which lie 
resides. He has therefore gained a large 
circle of friends and acquaintances, by all of 
whom he is respected and esteemed. Always 
a strong supporter of the public schools, he has 
served for eighteen years as a school trustee^ 
ten years in Illinois and eight in the Sebastopol 
district. Pie is a member of the Sebastopol 
Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, and is its pres- 
ent master. Politically, he is a strong and con- 
sistent Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Litchfield 
have eight children living, viz.: Frank, Elmer, 
Sophia, Lavina, Oscar, Cora, Estella and Bessie. 
Frank is a resident of Occidental, and Sojjhia 
is now the principal of the Sebastopol public 
schools. 



^ILLIAM H. HILTON was born in New 
York City in 1829. His father, Will- 
iam Hilton, was a native of New York, 
and a veteran of the war of 1812, having served 
under General Scott. His mother, Matilda 
(Shonnard) Hilton, was also born in New York, 
and was a descendant of the old Dutch families 
of colonial times. Mr. Hilton was reared in the 
city of his birth, and was given the advantages 
of a good schooling, but being of an adventurous 
and roving disposition, a life of study was irk- 
some to him, and when less than fifteen years 
of age he ran away from a comfortable home and 
embarked on a sailing vessel bound for Galveston, 
Texas. Upon his_arrival there he secured work 
as a clerk in a store in Houston. While there 
he made the acquaintance of a party of Indian 
hunters, and joined them in several of their 
forays against the Indians of northern Texas and 
New Mexico. At the breaking out of the Mex- 
ican war in 18-40, he promptly joined the noted 
Texas rangers, under Captain Henry, and served 
with them throughout the whole of that memor- 
able struggle. Although but eighteen years of 



age he was a man in courage and daring, and 
was selected as a dispatch bearer for General 
Scott on many occasions, one of which is worthy 
of note. Himself and two others were selected 
by the General to carry dispatches from the city 
of Mexico to Pueblo. This hazardous under- 
taking was successfully accomplished by Mr. 
Hilton. He succeeded in running the eauntlet 
of the Mexican guerrillas that infested the 
country, escaping with a severe wound in the 
head, but his two companions were killed. At 
the close of the war in 1848 he returned to New 
lorkCity, where he remained until the next 
spring, when the news of the gold discoveries 
in California prompted him to seek his fortune 
in the new El Dorado. In February, 1849, he 
embarked for a voyage around the Horn, on the 
ship Panama. After a long but uneventful 
passage, he arrived at San Francisco and pro- 
ceeded at once to the mines on the Yuba River. 
The heavy rains of the winter of '49 and '50 
drove most of the miners to the lower country, 
and Mr. Hilton located at Sacramento. Of a 
generous nature, he spent most of liis small 
gains in providing for his sick comrades, and 
then went to driving a team, and by this means 
entered into teaming and freighting u])on his 
own account, after which he returned to mining 
occupations on the American River and in Grass 
Valley. During this time he took up the study 
of chemistry and geology, under the tutorship 
of his friend. Prof. Durand. In 1857 he went 
to Mexico, where he followed mining for about 
a year. AVliile in Mexico Mr. Hilton accepted 
the position of superintendent and mining e.x- 
pert of some mines in Chili, South America, 
where he went, and after some months spent 
there, he returned to the United States. In 
1859 and 1860 he was engaged with the noted 
prospector, Erenberg, in prospecting and locat- 
ing mines in Arizona and Mexico. In the fall 
of 1860, Mr. Hilton returned to California, and 
went to the Washoe district, Nevada. He was 
there engaged in mining and prospecting until 
1801, when he was attacked by the Indians 
while on one of his prospecting tours, and sq 



663 



IlIHTORY Ob' SONOMA COUNTY. 



severely wounded tliat liis life was despaired of, 
and upon his partial recovery lie returned East 
for medical and surgical treatment. As soon as 
his health permitted he came again to California, 
and engaged in his old occupation. The war of 
the Rebellion then fired his military ardor, and 
he returned to New York and enlisted in 
the old Seventh New York Regiment, but his 
disabilities prevented him from engaging in 
active service in tlie field. Consequently he left 
the army and returned to the Pacific coast. For 
the ne.xt ten years Mr. Hilton was engaged in 
various mining enterprises, principally in Mex- 
ico. The year 1872 found him so broken in 
health that he was compelled to seek rest. He 
therefore located in San Francisco, where he 
remained until 1881, when he came to Sonoma 
County and purchased 137 acres of land in Ben- 
nett Yalley, on the Santa Rosa and Glen Ellen 
road, about two and a half miles from Glen 
Ellen. Here Mr. Hilton took up his residence, 
and since that time has devoted himself to 
agricultural pursuits. In this he has been very 
successful, and is building up what is destined 
to be one of the model vineyards and orchards 
■of Sonoma County, He has now (1888) thirty 
acres of Zinfandel wine grapes, and a iine ten 
acre orchard containing French prunes and 
Bartlett pears, and also a choice varietj' of other 
fruits. A fine two-story residence, commodious 
barns and out-buildings attest the enterprise 
and good taste Mr. Hilton is displaying in his 
improvements. Politically, Mr. Hilton is a 
Republican. He is a member of the California 
Pioneer Society of San Francisco. In 1876 he 
married Miss Mary V. Glasgow, a native of 
California. Mrs. Hilton's parents are natives 
of Virginia. They have one child — William H. 

^.. ? . 3 , , ; . ? ■♦■" 



t PRESS SMITH, M. D., has been an 
active member of the medical profes- 
® sion in Santa Rosa for twenty years, 
having settled here in 1868, and has for many 
years been recognized as one of the representa- 



tive physicians of this part of the Pacific coast. 
Dr. Smith was born in Charleston, South Caro- 
lina, October 10, 1839, and was there educated 
at the State Military Academy, also graduating 
at the Medical College of South Carolina in 
1861. He had previonsly, however, attended a 
course of lectures in the New York Medical 
College. After his graduation he immediately 
entei'ed the Confederate army as a Lieutenant, 
and participated in the first battle of Bull 
Run. During his army service of nearly four 
years Dr. Smith rose to the rank of Major, and 
participated in some of the hottest engagements 
of the war, occupying posts of heavy responsi- 
bility and great im])ortance. For (juite a time 
he was in command of Battery Greig, on Morris 
Island, opposite Charleston, South Carolina, 
during its bombardment. This was a terrible 
position, the circumstances of which can only be 
appreciated when recounted by such a brilliant 
conversationalist and raconteur as is the Doctor. 
He was also in command of Fort Moultrie 
for several months. During his service he was 
three times wounded, the last time quite serious- 
ly, at the battle of Averyboro, in March, 1865 
by a rainie-ball through the left leg below the 
knee, which severed the tibial artery and nerve. 
This laid him up for nearly a year. "When able 
he began the practice of medicine in his native 
State, continuing until he moved to California 
and resumed it in Sonoma County. Dr. Smith 
was one of the prime movers in organizing the 
first medical society in this county, and was its 
secretary. The society prospered for a year or 
two, then languished and finally ceased to e.xist. 
Its meetings were held quarterly in the several 
principal towns of the county. Years later a 
second medical society of Sonoma County was 
organized, of which Dr. Smith was also a mem- 
ber, and which hrid a similar history to that of 
its predecessor. Dr. Smith is a member of the 
State Mjdical Society of California, and is now 
serving his seventh year as physician to the 
Sonoma County Hospital, having been twice 
chosen to that position. The subject of this 
sketch is descended from one of the old Caro- 



IILsTOlil' OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



(j(i5 



liniaii families, and can trace liis ancestry 
back in honorable line beyond the early history 
of America. On his mother's side he is of 
French Huguenot descent. His maternal great- 
grandfatlier took a prominent part in the war of 
Independence on the side of justice and freedom. 
Another was adjutant to General Francis Ma- 
rion, while a third, who held the rank of Lieu- 
tenant General, was killed at Fort Moultrie. Dr. 
Smith has been married twice; tlie first time in 
South Carolina, to Miss N. C. Dubose. Tiiey 
had one boy — Edwin, who is now studying law 
in San Francisco. He was again married in 
1872 to Miss Nellie M. Temple, of Santa Rosa. 
They have seven children, all small and living 
at home, three boys and four girls. 



f TAMER & FELDMEYER, proprietors of 
the Geyserville winery, established their 
present business in 1884. The firm is 
composed of Julius C. Stamer and B. W. Feld- 
meyer. Their winery is well appointed and has 
a storage capacity of 75,000 gallons, though the 
vintage of 1888 exceeded that quantity. They 
find a ready market for their wines in San Fran- 
cisco. They manufacture nothing but clarets 
and dry white wines, and these have an excellent 
reputation. They have sixty-five acres of land 
on Ury Creek and at Geyserville, and about 
thirty acres planted to Zinfandel, Riesling, 
Mataro, Carignan and Grenache grapes, the 
vines ranging in age from four to eight years. 
Julius C. Stamek, of the firm of Stamer & 
Feldmeyer, is a native of Hamburg, Germany, 
born January 4, 1837, and son of C. II. and 
Christina Stamer, the father a wine dealer. 
Julius C. was reared at Hamburg, where he was 
educated, attending school from the age of six 
to fourteen years, and on attaining a suitable 
age, entered the comtnission business, and after- 
ward banking. In 1850 he came to the United 
States, and for three years was engaged in the 
grocery business in New York City. In the 
latter part of 1861 lie departed from that city 



destined for California, via Panama, and landed 
at San Francisco, January 5, 1862. He soon en- 
gaged in the grocery trade, and so continued 
until 1880, when ho located in Napa County 
and devoted his time to the manufacture of 
wine below St. Helena, in connection with his 
brother, G. A. Stamer. He is a thorough master 
in this business and his skill is shown in the 
high class of wines turned out from this winery. 
B. W. Felumeyee, of the firm of Stamer & 
Feldmeyer, is a native of Oldenburg, Germany, 
born September 1, 1846, and son of Alirend and 
Catherine Feldmeyer, the father a seaman. The 
subject of this sketch was reared in his native 
country, and attended school between the ages 
of six and fourteen years. In 1867 he came to 
America, landing at New York. Two years 
later he came to California, located at St. Helena, 
and engaged in the business of carpentering and 
contracting. His own skill as a workman 
brought him a tine class of work, and he received 
contracts for building several of the wine cellars 
in that vicinity, and continued to reside there 
until coming to Geyserville. Mr. Feldmeyer 
was married in California to Miss Wilhelmina 
Baute, a native of Hanover, Germany. They 
have four children: Clemens, Arthur, Willie, 
and Gustav. Mr. Feldmeyer is a fine business 
man, and ranks high among those interested in 
the wine industry. 



4'"».-jH^"4-'-> 



flSHER & KINSLOW.— The Santa Rosa 
marble works were started in 1871 by 
^ Ilartwig & Fisher, the firm being Theo- 
dore Hartwig and A. L. Fisher. The works were 
then located on Hinton avenue opposite the 
plaza on which the court-house now stands. 
From the beginning they liad a stock consisting 
of both marble and granite, but the business 
being comparatively a new one on this coast, they 
necessarily began on a small scale and the busi- 
ness grew as the people were educated up to the 
value of it. Two years after engaging in this 
enterprise Mr. Hartwig died and was succeeded 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



by "W. n. Koagan, who also died a year later. 
■ Mr. Fisher then conducted the business for a 
year alone, then took in his present partner, J. 
F. Kinslow, who has been a partner about 
eleven years. They have been at their present 
location, corner of Fourth and Davis streets, 
ten years; and tiie firm does the largest business 
in their line of any north of San Francisco, in 
the State. They deal in monnments. grave 
stones, mantels, and granite building material. 
For monumental work ihey import Scotch 
granite; and they use chiefly Italian marbles, 
though some Vermont marbles are nsed. They 
furnish employment for an average of seven 
men, and do most of the marble work in So- 
noma, Mendocino, Lake, Napa and Marin 
counties. Their monuments range in price 
from S500 to $2,000, and they put up one in 
the cemetery at Santa Kosa, costing, 8"~''''00. 
Their business runs from $25,000 to $40,000 a 
year, the latter sum in 1887. The coping work 
around the court-house plaza, amounting to 
$20,000 for coping, fencing and flagging, was 
done by this firm. Mr. Fisher was born in 
Vermont in 1840, and remained there twenty- 
six years of his life. lie enlisted in the 
Thirteenth Vermont Infantry, in 18G2, and 
remained in the service nine months. He was 
a non-commissioned officer, and he fought in the 
battle of Gettysburg, it being his hardest en- 
gagement. He is a member of the G. A. R., 
and commander of Ellsworth Post, No. 20, of 
Santa llosa, wiiich has about ninety members. 
He learned the stone-cutter's trade in Vermont. 
On coming to California in 1866, he visited 
British Columbia during the mining excite- 
ment of the Big Bond raining interests, spending 
a year there chiefly in prospecting. He then 
came down to San Mateo County, California, 
and remained there until he came to Santa Rosa 
in 1871. He was married in Vermont to Miss 
Rebecca Thompkins, a native of Fall River, 
Massachusetts. They came to California by 
way of the Isthmus. Mr. Fisher is a member 
of the Masonic order, and past high priest of 
the chapter, and a member of the commandery. 



Mr. Fisher's father died in 1872 and his motlier 
in 18S1, both natives of Vermont and b<_itii 
buried there. They were the parents of thirteen 
children, ten of whom grew to adult age. It 
may be further stated that neither of Mr. Fish- 
er's parents ever left their native State until 
after they were sixty years of age. Mr. John 
Kinslow was born in Haydenville, Massachu- 
setts, learned his trade in Waterbury, the same 
State, and was in business there a short time 
before coming to California in 1875. He spent 
a year in San Francisco, and then came to Santa 
Rosa. In Jul}', 1883, he was united in marriage 
with Miss Casey, a native Californian, daughter 
of Jeremiah Casey, a pioneer of Lakeville, So- 
noma County, where he still resides with his 
family. Mr. Kinslow is a member of the 
Knights of Pythias, and is past chancellor of 
Santa Rosa Lodge, No. 87. 



(ARLYLE SMITH MILLER was born in 
Chautauqua County, New Yorlc, February 
10, 1828. His father, Elisha Miller, was 
of Dutch descent and was born in the same 
locality. The elder gentleman was reared to 
manhood in Pennsylvania, learned the black- 
smith's trade, and worked at it tliere until he 
emigrated from that State. He married Sarah 
Adams, who was reared in her native country, 
Ireland. About 1833 or '34 he moved to 
Michigan where he engaged in farming. This 
was before Michigan became a State, and was 
a wild and almost unbroken country. The 
Tiative red men outnumbered in great proportion 
the few pioneers who had taken foot-hold there. 
They traded with the Indians, giving them 
potatoes and other things in exchange for ma- 
ple syrfip, etc. Their nearest little town, a 
French trading post, was called Centerville. 
After a residence there of about four years the 
family moved to Iowa, soon after the Black 
Hawk war, and thence to Illinois. From there 
they continued their migration westward and 
tinally, in 1847, located in Oregon, about twen 



IIISTOUY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



667 



ty-five miles from Portland. In 1849 they 
came to California and stopped at the head of 
the Sacramento River, near Redding, where they 
stayed about three weeks and then came down 
into Sonoma County. Mr. Miller afterward 
returned to Oregon, and then again to this 
county, where he died in 1859. C. S. Miller 
remained witli his parents until after he was 
twenty-one years old, when he went to tiie 
mines at Nevada City; from there to the mines 
at South Yuba, and followed this occupation for 
about nineteen months lie then came to So- 
noma County and purchased a farm near 
Sebastopol, where he farmed a while and then 
sold out and went to dealing in cattle, driving 
them to the mines. After this he engaged in 
the logging business in Mendocino Count}', 
hauling logs from the mountains down to the 
saw mills. In 1860 he moved to Marin County 
and bought a farm of 400 acres. He has since 
made additions to it and has at the present time 
600 acres. In October, 1873, he purchased his 
present place, consisting of 156 acres near Pet- 
aluma, in Vallejo Township, and came here for 
the purpose of educating his children. In 1882 
or 1883 he bought a ranch in Napa County of 
412 acres. In 1857 he returned to the East 
and was married in Illinois to Sarah Fairley, 
coining back to California the same year, 
making w.bat might be called their wedding trip 
overland, being five months on the way. They 
have seven children, four sons and thi-ee 
daughters. 



fllOMAS M. WARD.— Among the pio- 
neers of the State and Sonoma County 
special mention should be made of the 
gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He 
is descended from a race of pioneers. His 
grandfather, a native of Scotland, emigrated to 
the United States and settled in North Carolina 
in the colonial times. His father, David Ward, 
was born in that State, but was among tlie early 
settlers in Cook County, Tennessee, where the 



subject of this sketch was born May 28, 1815. 
His mother, Nancy (Mitchell) Ward, was a na- 
tive of Virginia. Her grandfather was an offi- 
cer in the Revolutionary war. Shortly after 
Thomas M. was born his parents moved to Mis- 
souri, and after a short residence in several 
places in that State they removed, in 1820, to 
Lafayette County. Here Mr. Ward was reared, 
and his eaily youth and young manhood was 
spent on his father's farm, where he became 
inured to the hard labors and privations attend- 
ing ])ioneer life. He was naturally of an ingen- 
ious mind, and he became quite an e.xpert as 
a carpenter and cabinet-maker. At the age of 
nineteen years, in 1834, he married Miss Glaph- 
gra Bowman, the daughter of John Mitchell 
and Elizabeth (Hoi'n) Bowman. In that year 
he engaged in farming and stock-raising, and 
four years after he moved to Andrew County. 
In 1845 he located in Buchanan County, where 
he remained until 1847, when he returned to 
Andrew County, his occupation during all these 
years being that of a farmer and stock-raiser. 
Of a restless disposition and ever a pioneer, in 
1849 Mr. Ward started with his family, with 
ox teams, across the plains for the Golden State 
of California. This journey was performed 
unaccompanied with any startling incidenis, 
and after the usual hardships they arrived in 
Yolo County in August of that year. There 
he had the misfortune to lose his wife, who died 
September 3, 1849. After the death of his wife 
Mr. Ward came to Sonoma Connty, and in July, 
1851, in connection with his brother, Nathaniel 
Ward, opened a blacksmith and carpenter shop 
in Sebastopol. This was the first shop estab- 
lished in that now thriving village. He con- 
tinued his business in Sebastopol until February, 
1853, when he came to Green Valley and pur- 
chased land upon which he took up his residence 
and devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. 
At the early date in which Mr. Ward took up 
his residence in Green Valley it was sparsely 
settled and the lands were in their wild state. 
He at once set about clearing the land and 
erectinj' his home. His career as a farmer and 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



horticulturist is well known. Of his original 
land he is now the owner of 108 acres. This 
land is situated on the east side of the valley, 
near the Sebastopol and Forestville road, in the 
Oak Grove school district, four miles northwest 
of Sebastopol and two miles south of Forest- 
ville. The greater portion of his land is de- 
voted to hay, grain and stock-raising, but he 
also has a fine orchard of ten acres, containing 
peaclies, apples, pears, plums, etc. The peaches 
are the Crawford, orange cling and lemon cling 
varieties. In addition to a family vineyard 
containing a large variety of table grapes, he 
has also six acres of the Mission wine grapes. 
Mr. Ward has some fine stock, his cattle being 
improved with both Durham and Jersey stock, 
and his horses with Norman and Goldfinder 
breeds. On this farm is a substantial and com- 
fortable residence surrounded by shade trees, 
situated upon high ground from which he has 
one of the finest views of the beautiful Green 
Valley imaginable. Commodious barns and 
other out-buildings attest the success that has 
attended his efforts in building up a home. 
His knowledge of building and carpentering has 
enabled him to construct nearly all his build- 
ings without the aid of other than common 
labor. It should be mentioned tliat Mr. Ward, 
as early as 1854, planted his first fruit trees, and 
in the first fruit exhibits from Green Valley in 
the county fairs, products from his orchard were 
among those that took the first premiums. Mr. 
Ward has long been identified with the growth 
and prosperity of his section of the county, 
and is a firm believer in its glorious future. 
He has for years served as a school trustee in the 
Oak Grove district. In politics he is a life-long 
Democrat, and is consistent in his views. He 
takes a deep and intelligent interest in all the 
political questions of the day. Mr. Ward's 
second wife was Miss Elizabeth Janes, to wliom 
he was married in 1850. She is the daughter 
of Henry F. and Kesiah (Talbot) Janes. Her 
fath was<- '\ ^oneer in every sense of the word. 
He went to Wisconsin at a very early period and 
settled where the citv of Janesville now stands. 



building the first house in that place, that now 
bears his name. He was also a pioneer of the 
State of California, coming to this State in 
18-10, and finally taking up his residence in 
Humboldt County. To Mr. Ward's first mar- 
riage there were born seven children, only one 
of whom is now living — David M., a resident 
of Colorado. By his second marriage he has 
eight children living: William H., residing near 
the old homestead; John L., who married Miss 
Frances Fordalie, living in Forestville; Charles 
M., who married Miss Lydia Branscom, resid- 
ing in Mendocino County; Edward L., married 
Miss Ella Carey, and is living in Green Valley; 
James A., married Miss Minnie Ross, and is 
living near the old homestead; Benjamin F., 
married Ethel Perry, and resides in Green Val- 
ley; Julia A., the wife of T. J. Janes; and 
George S. The two last named are living under 
the parental roof. 



7^,HRI8TOPHER D. NEAR, who owns and 
fli^i occupies the well known " Root Home- 
^^ stead," on the Healdsburg road, two miles 
north of Santa Rosa, was from eight years of 
age reared at his present home. The estate con- 
sists of ninety acres, and was for many years the 
home of Jeremiah Root, who crossed the plains 
with his family from Iowa, in 1853, and after a 
short residence in Alameda County commenced 
the improvement of the homestead above men- 
tioned. Mr. Root now lives in San Benito 
County, where his wife died in March, 1888, at 
the advanced age of ninety years. Christopher 
D. Near was born in Fremont County, Iowa, 
December 19, 1848, his parents being Christo- 
pher D. and Sophronia A. (Culp) Near. In 
1850 his father was killed by lightning in Iowa, 
and in 1851 his mother married Jeremiah Root. 
The subject of this sketch was in his fifth year 
when his step-father and mother crossed the 
plains to this State. Among his early recollec- 
tions are incidents that occurred on the long 
journey. Reared from eight years of age at his 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



present borne, its ownership passed to him not 
long ago. lie has one brother, John Henry 
Near, who also lives in Santa Kosa Township. 
Two children were born to his mother by her 
second marriage, of whom only one, Mrs. Ella 
Kange, a resident of Los Angeles Connty, is 
now living. November 3, 1872, Mr. Near 
married Miss' Nancy Van Winkle, daughter of 
Thomas and Nancy (Fanght) Van Winkle. She 
was born in Sonoma County, February 26, 1855. 
Her father is now deceased, and her mother is 
a resident of tliis county. Mr. and Mrs. Near 
are the parents of live children, viz.: James, 
Franklin, AViliie, Faimie and Washington. Mr. 
Near is a member of the Santa Rosa lodge ot 
Masons. In politics he is identified with the 
Democratic party. 



-^^^ 



tABAN ANDEEW HARDIN.— The 
father of the subject of this sketch, Will- 
iam Jeflerson Hardin, is a native of Ken- 
tucky, where he was born in 1820. When he 
was a boy liis parents moved to Missouri, wliere 
he lived for a number of years, and was there 
married to Rebecca Smith, whose parents were 
from Tennessee, and moved from that State to 
Missouri. In 1852 Mr. Hardin, with his wife 
and three children, emigrated to California. 
Leaving Missouri on the 1st day of May, they 
made the trip overland, and, after a journey of 
six months, landed in Sonoma County. The 
first year he lived on the Laguna Creek, near 
Sebastopol, and from there moved into Vallejo 
Township, and, in the fall of 1855, to the Ketch 
eside rancli in the hills, now owned by John 
Lynch. In the fall of 1850 he bought the Har- 
din property direct from General Vallejo. It 
then consisted of 400 acres, and the 
following year he purchased from tiie same 
party 200 acres more. Mr. Hardin made 
this his home until 1877, since which 
time he has lived in Santa Rosa and Petaluma, 
and is now residing in Cloverdale. The family 
consisted of seven children, as follows: William 



Plenry, James Taylor (who died in May, 1878), 
Laban Andrew, Mary Francis, Thomas Jeffer- 
son (wlio died \n 1870), John Marcus and Lester 
Rond. Laban Andrew Hardin was born in 
Johnson County, Missouri, May 21, 1848. He 
was four years old when his father came to this 
State, and with them he made his home until 
he was twentj'-three years of age. He then went 
to Nevada, where he was engaged in driving 
horses and cattle for market. Two years later 
he made another trip to the same place, taking 
with him a band of cattle, and remaining here 
about two years, dealing in and raising stock. 
He then returned to this county, where he has 
since made his home, living on part of the 
homestead. Mr. Hardin was united in mar- 
riage, October 1, 1877, to Mrs. Sallie Wise, a 
native of Johnson County, Missouri. They 
have three children: James Taylor, Lurena and 
William Graves. Mr. Hardin is a successful 
farmer and stock-man, having on the place a 
large herd of cattle and a number of horses, 
some of which are particularly fine. The soil 
of the ranch is very fertile, well watered, and 
is adapted to the raising of all kinds of both 
fruit and grain. Hay grows in abundance, 
without sowing any seed. 

-^^Mm^^ — 

fS. MERCHANT. —The Magnolia and 
Healdsburg Fruit Cannery stands in the 
fF'' "* front rank of the industrial concerns of 
Sonoma County, though i,t was only established 
in 1888. The plant is located on what was the 
property of the Grangers' warehouse, purcliased 
by Mr. Merchant early in 1888. The warehouse 
building, which was 50 .x 150 feet in ground area, 
has been utilized, and an .addition made 40x75 
feet, and another in the rear, 40 x 70. The tin 
shop is 28 X 32 feet in ground dimensions, and 
two sheds added make the building in which it 
is located 50x50 feet on the ground. In this 
department the cans are made ' m t^ > tin 
plates and wooden boxes from the " shook." 
The fruit is principally obtained from the territo 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



17 naturally tributary to Healfisburg, but owing 
to the newness of tbe canning industry here, it is 
as yet difficult to obtain all the early fruit desired 
from the surrounding country, and it has been 
necessary to procure souie of the apricots, cher- 
ries and currants packed from more distant 
points. Soon, however, with the encourage- 
ment to fruit raising oifered by the develop- 
ment cf fruit packing, all these fruits will be 
raised in sufficient quantities in this vicinity. 
During the packing season the number on tlie 
pay-roll ranges from 400 to 500, and all the 
work is done by white labor. While the pref- 
erence is given to the neighborhood in the mat- 
ter of employing help, many hands are engaged 
who come from distant points, and many camp 
near the cannery during the packing season. 
There is a waiting market for the product of 
this establishment, and every case of fruit has 
a place to go to as soon as it is ready for the 
market, the entire out-put being taken by the 
Territories of Montana, Idaho, Utah and Wj-om- 
ing, and the State of Nevada. Every kind of 
large and small fruit raised in this portion of 
Califoruia is here put up, besides corn, toma- 
toes, string beans, etc., four car-loads of the last 
mentioned article having been packed in 1888. 
The cannery is located in the best corn district 
of California, thus having a great advantage in 
that regard. One of the noteworthy features of 
the establishment is the jelly department,.where 
all kinds of fine jellies and jams are prepared in 
tempting form by expert jelly makers. These 
jellies and jams have taken the first jiremiurn 
over all competitors at every fair where they 
have been exhibited. When it is considered 
that the weekly pay for labor alone runs as high 
as $2,500, exclusive of all fruits and mate- 
rials, the immense advantages of the great hive 
of industry to this community may be some- 
what appreciated. Mr. Thomas S. Merchant, 
the founder and proprietor of the Magnolia and 
Healdsburg P^ruit Cannery, is a native of Aus- 
tralia, born August 18, 1841, and is a son of 
Thomas and Mary Jane (Lasson) Merchant. 
When he had reached the age of thirteen years 



his parents removed to the United States, loca- 
ting at San Francisco, where the subject of this 
sketch was reared to manhood. He engaged in 
the butcher business at an early age, but in 

1866 commeuced the life of a commercial trav- 
eler, representing a San Francisco house. His 
success as a salesman was almost at once estab- 
lished, and his services came to be in demand 
by many houses of the coast metropolis. In 

1867 he became the representative of the coffee 
and spice house of G. Yenard, and soon after- 
ward of Nichols & Brown and Rochschild & 
Ehrenford, with whom he yet retains his con- 
nection. Among tlie other large wholesale 
firms whose goods he handles over a large scope 
of territory maybe mentioneil Macoudary & Co., 
teas; California Cracker Co. (with whom he has 
been associated for seventeen years); Martin 
Fusseir, F. G. Conkling & Co., gloves; Napa 
Valley Wine Co.; Horn & Co. ;»and Leegan & 
Mills, successors to G. Venard. The great 
trade which he has built up for these firms in 
California and the Territories has grown to pro- 
portions much beyond the ability of any one 
man to handle, yet it remains under his control, 
and he employs his own assistants, giving em- 
ployment to two additional men in this capacity. 
Mr. Merchant has made his home in So- 
noma County since 1880, and has a ranch 
worthy of particular mention, on the road be- 
tween Healdsburg and Guerneville. He com- 
menced improvement on this ranch in earnest 
in the spring of 1881, .and now has about 110 
acres of vineyard, planted in choice varieties of 
wine grapes, and about 14,000 trees, mostly 
peaches, pears and plums. He has uniform 
success with both vines and trees, and all pre- 
sent a perfectly healthy appearance. The ranch 
is supplied with every building and implement 
which could be suggested as useful, and pre- 
sents the appearance of a village at first sight. 
Mrs. Merchant was formerly Miss Mary Hob- 
son. Mr. Merchant has been twice married, 
his first wife's maiden name having been May 
Cohlan. lie has three children, Thomas Charles, 
Fred, and May. Politically he is a Republican, 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



and i.s a member of Abou Ben Adliem Lodge, I. 
O. O. F., San Francisco. Mr. Merchant has the 
reputation of being one of the most pushing 
business men on tlie Pacific coast. 



tPUMPHREY. — Tiie subject of this 
sketch was born in Belmont County, 
'^ Ohio, October 15, 1S28, but was reared 
on a farm in Licking County, receiving such an 
education as the public schools of Ohio in those 
days afforded. In his twenty- third year he left 
his native State, leaving in June, 1851. Tiie 
following winter was spent near Boonville, 
Missouri, and the next spring the overland 
journey was made to this State. He first 
located in Salina County, but soon he became 
engged in placer mining in Placer, Sierra, 
Klamath, and Amador counties. This occupa 
tion and farm labor in Salina and Yolo counties 
was followed about eleven years with varying 
success. Mr. Pumphrey became one of a party 
that opened the mines at Kenon City, Hum- 
boldt County, eastern Oregon, in 18(32. Later 
he built a saw-mill. Full of energy and capable 
of conducting almost any enterprise that prom- 
ised profit, Mr. Pumphrey became, in 1864, 
engaged in quite extensive dealings in stock, 
buying and driving from Humboldt County to 
other points, and selling at a profit, hundreds of 
cattle. The following year he drove stock to 
Montana. Buying and selling stock constituted 
a large part of his business and was continued 
for a number of years, and he also opened a 
meat market at Diamond City, Confederate 
Gulch. In October, 18G8, he changed his busi- 
ness to Colorado, for a time making Denver his 
headquarters. In June, 1869, he drore 700 
head of cattle into Denver from New Mexico. 
The same year he wintered near Denver cattle 
brought and driven by him from southern 
Colorado. February 8, 1870, at Denver, Mr. 
Pumphrey married Miss Ellen Tawlor. Some- 
time afterward they made their home in San 
Luis Valley, 200 miles west of Denver. There 



Mr. Pumphrey owned 800 acres of land, but 
his stock ranged over a much larger extent of 
territory. His home was near Saguache, the 
county seat of the county bearing the same 
name. In 1880, in company with two other 
men, Mr. Pumphrey made a contract to furnish 
the United States government the supply of 
beef for the Ute reservation, and for that pur- 
pose collected 6,000 head of cattle. After one 
year he bought out his partners, and in 1882 he 
closed out his business and settled at his present 
home in the Todd district^Santa Rosa Town- 
ship, this county. The estate of .3.30 acres now 
owned by Mr. Pumphrey is well known as the 
Ricklif ranch. It lies on the road between 
Santa Rosa and Stony Point. Among the 
choice Santa Rosa Valley farms, perhaps in 
fertility none surpass this well-known property, 
one-half of which is rented by Mr. Pumphrey 
to other parties for dairy purposes, the rest be- 
ing devoted mainly to raising stock. Mi*, and 
Mrs. Pumphrey have four children: Milton G., 
Martha E., Horace B., and Edward A. In 
political action, the subject of this sketch aftili- 
ates with the Democratic party. He is a mem- 
ber of the Santa Rosa Lodge of Free Masons. 

^-^-^ 



f|]|ILLIAM F. RUSSELL, city attorney 
y|| of Santa Rosa, is a native son of Gall- 
ic fornia, and is thirty years of age. Llis 
father, Syvestus Russell, came to California in 
1856 from his native State, Ohio, and a year 
later settled in the agricultural district in So- 
noma County, where he died in 1871. The 
subject of this sketch is one of two children, and 
the only son. He attended school in Sonoma 
County, and studied law in James H. McGee's 
office in Santa Rosa. He was admitted to the 
bar in September, 1883, and immediately en- 
tered into practice in Santa Rosa, being very 
successful, and especially in criminal cases. He 
was elected city attorney on the Republican 
ticket with a majority of forty votes, against one 
of the strongest men in the county as his oppo- 



67;i 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



nent — Attorney Gale. His official term extends 
over a period of two years, beginning April, 
1888. In March, 1886, Mr. Russell bought the 
Russian River Flag, one of the oldest 
newspapers in the county, published in 
Heaklsburg, and edited it for a year, when, find- 
ing he could not attend to that and his profes- 
sion too, he sold the paper. Upon assuming 
the duties of the city attorneyship, Mr. Russell 
found the municipal affairs of the city in a 
jumbled and unsettled state. Among otlier 
things he has framed the ordinance creating and 
regulating the police department, and raised 
some important financial questions, which has 
revolutionized the city's financial metliods. Mr. 
Russell is also attorney for the sheriff's office. 
He is a member of the J^ative Sons of the 
Golden West, and in 1885 was president of the 
Western Star Parlor, and chairman of the com- 
mittee of arrangements for the annual celebra- 
tion of the order for the State, he having charge 
of the pi-eparations by the local parlor to 
entertain the order of the State. The order 
then numbered 5,000 members, and now about 
10,000. He is a charter member of tiie Santa 
Rosa Parlor. 



tENRY CASTEXS.— Among the represent- 
ative and well-known farmers of the Mark 
West Creek Valley in Analy Township, is 
the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. 
A brief resume of his life is as follows: Mr. 
Castens was born near Bremen, in Germany, in 
1834, his parents being Henry and Sophia 
(Voight) Castens, both natives of the place of 
his birth. His father was a farmer, and the sub- 
ject of this sketch was reared to that calling till 
sixteen years of age. At that time, in 1850, he 
came to the United States. Upon his arrival in 
New York, he proceeded to the Western States, 
and located in Morgan County, Missouri, where 
he worked at farm labor until 1852. He then 
started across the plains to California, engaging 
himself as an ox teamster. His party were 



months in performing this journey, and did not 
reach Napa County, their destination, until Oc- 
tober, 1852- Upon his arrival in that county 
Mr. Castens worked at farm labor for about one 
year. He then rented land and commenced 
farming and raising grain upon his own account, 
at which he continued until 1856. He then en- 
gaged in stock-raising, and the next year came 
to Sonoma County, and located in Salt Point 
Township, on the Valhalla Creek. Mr. Castens 
was largely engaged in his business and success- 
fully conducted tlie same until 1869, when he 
sold out and the next year purchased 530 acres 
of land in Analy Township. In 1870 he went 
to Nevada, where he engaged in stock-raising. 
He was also employed in freighting supplies to 
the mines, and was interested in mining opera- 
tions. His various enterprises were attended 
with success, and in 1875 he closed up his busi- 
ness in, Nevada, returned to Sonoma County 
and took up his present residence. Since that 
time Mr. Castens has devoted his attention to 
general farming and stock-raising. This fine 
farm of 530 acres is located on the south bank 
of the Mark West Creek, in the Vine Hill 
school district, Analy Topnship, and is on the 
Fulton and P'orestville road, seven miles west of 
Fulton and two miles east of Forestville. The 
Guerneville branch of the San Francisco & North 
Pacific Railroad passes through his lands. His 
farm is mostly devoted to hay, grain and stock- 
raising, although the lands are admirably 
adapted for fruit or vine culture. He has a 
small orchard of six acres, producing peaches, 
apples, pears, French prunes, figs, plums, 
cherries and almonds, and there are also four 
acres in vines of the Mission and table grapes. 
Upon the river bottom land he has twenty acres 
in alfalfa, which yields three crops per annum 
besides furnishing pasture for stock during the 
dry months. Among the stock upon his farm 
are about 500 head of sheep of the Southdown, 
Shropshire and Spanish Merino breeds, also fine 
specimens of draft horses of the Clydesdale 
stock. His cattle are improved with Durham 
stock, at the head of which is a fine Durham 



U'l.iTOlir OF .SONOMA COUNTY. 



bull. About eighty acres of his land are still 
heavily timbered. Nearly all the iinpiovemeiits 
aud the clearing and cultivation of this farm have 
been accomplished by Mr. Castens since 1875, 
and the success he has attained has been the re- 
sult of his characteristic energy and sound busi- 
ness (]ualities. Mr. Castens, during iiis long 
residence in Sonoma County has ever been a 
strong supporter of all enterprises for developing 
its I'esources, and is a firm believer in its future 
pros])erity and progress. In political matters, 
he is a consistent Democrat. A strong 
supporter of schools and churches, he has for 
many years been a consistent member of the 
Methodist church. In 1863 Mr. Castens was 
united in marriage with Mrs. Anna (Jaeobson) 
Hagler, widow of Gerhardt Hagler, natives of 
Germany. Mrs. Castens died in 1873, leaving 
one child, Sophia, who died in 1878. In 1878 
Mr. Castens married Mrs. Anna (Franks) Shaw. 
They have two children, Emelia and Frederick. 
There is also one son of his first wife's, Ger- 
hardt Hagler, who is married and is residincr in 
Santa Rosa. 



fSIMI, wine manutacturer and vineyardist, 
came to Healdsburg in 1868. At that 
® time and for some years thereafter his 
business consisted of buying grapes and ship- 
ping to San P^rancisco, and there making them 
into wine. The well equipped brick winery, of 
which Mr. Simi has charge at Healdsburg, is 
the property of the brothers, G. and P. Simi, 
and was erected in 1881. There is a storage 
here for 100,000 gallons of wine, and the annual 
out-put from the winery is fiom 40,000 to 
70,000 gallons. Grape brandy is also manu- 
factured, some years as much as 5,000 gallons 
being made. P. Simi conducts the San Fran- 
cisco portion of the business, the headquarters 
in that city being at Xo. 429 Green street. G. 
Simi purchased 126 acres of land just north of 
Healdsburg. in the winter of 1883. This tract 
was then mostly timbered, but is now nearly 



all cleared, and all but ten acres have been 
planted in desirable varieties of wine grapes, 
.principally Zinfandel. It is the intention to 
build another winery on this land. G. Simi, 
the proprietor, is a native of Lucca, Tuscany, 
Italy, born on the 3d of August, 1825, his 
parents being Jacob and JS'anciata Simi. The 
subject of this sketch was reared in his native 
country, and in 1859 decided to emigrate to 
America. For that purpose he went to Mar- 
seilles, thence to Havre, and then took passage 
on a Tessel bound for New York, landino- on 
the 29th of October. From there he came via 
Panama to San Francisco, where for one month 
he was engaged in gardening. He then went 
to the mines of Calaveras County and worked 
in Comanche camp for seven months, after 
which he returned to San Francisco, and was 
employed one year near the Mission Dolores. 
From there he went eleven miles north of San 
Francisco and again engaged in gardening. 
After four years he sold out and rented land on 
San Pedro ranch. While there he went to 
Sacramento County, and there rented 1,000 
acres of land. One year later be rented 1,800 
acres of land in Grande Valley. He farmed 
this land one year, then gave it up, but after 
two years renewed his lease. After this he 
rented 1,840 acres in Kern County, and 1,600 
acres near Pescadero, which engaged his atten- 
tion for six years. From there he came to 
Healdsburg. Mr. Simi was married in this 
State to Miss Nora Cavenna, a native of County 
Galway, Ireland. She is now deceased. His 
present wife was formerly Niccoletta Bacchica- 
loupa, a native of Italy, born at Chicania, five 
miles from Genoa. Mr. Simi has two children, 
Louisa and Isabella. 

fOSIAII H. WHITE, one of the honored 
citizens of Sonoma County, was born in 
Westminister, Worcester County, Massa- 
chusetts, February 3, 1838. He resided tiiere 
until he was fourteen years old, when he went 



HI8T0HY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



to Illinois, remaining tliere eight months. He 
then returned East, and after attending school 
for six or seven months in Jefferson County, 
New York, he went to Lancaster, Massachu- 
setts, where he remained two years. Returning 
to Illinois again in the fall of 1855, he entered 
the employ of the Jacksonville & St. Louis 
Railroad in the engineering department, in the 
construction of the road, and remained tliere 
until the hard times of 1857 came on, when 
work on the road was practically stopped. He 
was shortly after elected county surveyor for 
Jersey County, and served one term. In 1860 
he came to California and did considerable sur- 
veying in Sacramento. He afterward received 
a contract from the Central Pacific Company 
for building seven miles of their road. After 
the big flood in Sacramento, in 1861, he took a 
contract for building a part of the levee to pro- 
tect the city from tiie high waters of the Sacra- 
mento and American rivers. After this he 
gave much of his attention to mining and also 
to surveying. From 1864 to 1876 his head- 
quarters were at San Francisco, from which 
point he carried on quite an e.xtensive business. 
In the winter of 1877-'78 he became interested 
in a quartz mine at Tombstone, Arizona, since 
which time lie has been its superintendent. 
This mine has been a big paying investment, 
taking the greater part of Mr. Wiiite's time in 
the management of its affairs. In 1879 he 
purchased his property in Sonoma County, 
which is now the family home. It contains a 
little over 1,500 acres, situated in Vallejo Town- 
ship, about si.\ miles southeast of Petaluma. 
He has a vineyard of twenty acres, in full bear- 
ing, which is six years old and which bore last 
year about three tons to the acre. There is 
also a variety of other kinds of fruit. Mr. 
White has the finest herd of thoroughbred cat- 
tle in the county, if not in the State. The herd 
numbers forty-two, which were purchased in 
quarantine at New York in 1884. He has 
altogether about 150 head — quite a number of 
them half-breeds. The stock has been exhibited 
at the different fair.'^ and is always sure to take 



the laurels. At the Golden Gate fair at Oak- 
land he made a display of sixteen head of cattle 
and took first premium on everything with the 
exception of two-year-old bulls. His horses are 
among the finest to be seen anywhere. He has 
about forty head of horses and colts, which are 
bred from the Electioneer stock. His d.-iry is 
conducted on an extensive scale, milking, on an 
average, from seventy-five to eighty cows, and 
making about 300 pounds of butter a week, 
which is shipped to Arizona. Mr. White is 
president of the Sonoma and Marin District 
Agricultural Society, an organization in which 
he takes a deep interest. His marriage occurred 
in 1879. His wife was formerly Annie R. 
Daniels, a native of Milton, Saratoga County, 
New York, and a daughter of an old pioneer of 
this county. Tiiey have four children, three 
sons and one daughter. 



■*5r""- 



flMPSON & ROBERTS, contractors and 
builder.-, corner of Third and B streets, 
have been in business in Santa Rosa since 
May 23, 1886. They make plans and contracts 
for all kinds of buildings, stone, brick, or wood; 
make all kinds of store fixtures, and do every 
kind of job work. The firm consists of Willie 
B. Simpson and Charlie D. Roberts. They 
started in business in a small shop 20 x 50 feet, 
and employed three men. They soon doubled 
the size of their shop, and increased their force 
to seventeen men, and at the end of the first 
3-ear they employed thirty-three men, steadily 
increasing to forty-six. They have this year 
enlarged their shops by an addition of 50 x 60 
feet, and now have the finest shop in the city, 
covering an area of 150 x 120 feet. At one time 
they had under contract eleven residences, one 
church, and four barns. Showing the immense 
amount of business they do, we state the fact 
that inside of eight months, they put over 
$60,000 through the bank. They contract for 
work all over Sonoma County. Among the build- 
ings they have recently erected are: a large 



nisToUy OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



winery in Knight's Valley, for Robert H. Dalie- 
tield; a fine residence for F. Tahmige, in Santa 
Rosa, costing §6,000; an adcition of two large 
rooms to the Davis Street school, erected and 
completed in thirty days, during vacation; a 
house for J. McLane, corner of B and Seventh 
streets, costing $4,000. They finished and fitted 
up Guy E. Grosse's real estate otiice, one of the 
largest and finest real estate ofKces on the coast- 
Mr. Simpson laid off the walls for the Atheneum 
building. They erect a large number of tanks 
for windmills. The first house the firm erected 
after starting in business, was the beautiful res- 
idence of George F. King, at the corner of 
Cherry and King streets. This firm has the 
largest run of job work of any firm in the city. 
This season they employ an average of twenty- 
seven of the best skilled mechanics, the most of 
them receiving §3 per day. During the year 
1887 they erected forty houses, ranging from 
$1,000 to §6,000 each. Mr. Simpson was born 
in New Hampshire twenty-nine years ago, and 
has been a resident of Santa Rosa ten years. 
After coming to California he worked on a farm 
for fifteen months, then began to learn the car- 
penter's trade, starting at §1.50 per day. He 
has now been working at his trade nearly nine 
years. He does all the drafting for their build- 
ings, and the most of the contracting. For two 
and a half years he had full superintendence of 
the men and work for Mr. Ludwig, and hence 
has had a large experience. Mr. Simpson mar- 
ried Miss Heath, a former school-mate from his 
native State. Mr. Roberts is a native of Canada, 
born in August, 1857. He learned his trade in 
his native country, and his first experience as 
proprietor of business was the present partner- 
shi]). He superintends and takes charge of the 
job work department. 



^s♦^>^^ 



tEROY S. ANDERSON.— Among the rep- 
resentative orchard and vineyard properties 
ill the vicinity of Forestville is that of the 
above named gentleman. He is the owner of 



twenty acres of fine fruit land on the Forestville 
and Healdsburg road at Forestville, nine acres 
of which are producing peaches of the early 
Crawford, Wiley cling, and Orange cling varie- 
ties, also apples, pears, plums, and cherries. Five 
acres are planted with vines of the Zinfandel 
variety. The rest of his land is devoted to past- 
ure. Mr. Anderson is located in one of the 
most productive sections of Green Valley, and 
has made all the improvements upon his place, 
building a neat cottage residence, also com- 
modious and well ordered out-buildings. The 
land when first occupied by him, in 1872, was 
wild and uncultivated, and its present beautiful 
appearance and productive qualities are due to 
his untiring energies. As an illustration of the 
yield of his orchard, we cite the following: from 
325 Crawford peach trees, five years old, in 1888, 
he gathered thirteen tons of first-class marketable 
fruit, and also took peaclies enough beside that 
to make one ton of dried fruit. This was a yield 
that brought liim over §500 in the aggregate. 
Mr. Anderson is also the owner of sixteen acres 
of land in the Home Fruit Tract, about three- 
quarters of a mile north of his home orchard. 
This land is being cleared and improved. He 
has now (1888) eight acres in orchard upon this 
place, containing jieaches, pears, cherries, etc. 
It is his intention to devote the whole tract to 
fruit culture. As one of the representative fruit 
growers of his section of the county, a brief 
sketch of the life of Mr. Anderson is of interest. 
He dates his birth December 17, 18-42, in Dear- 
born County, Indiana. His father was a native 
of New Jersey and died in Dearborn County 
shortly after the birtli of Mr. Anderson. After 
his death, his widow, Clarisa (Sisson) Anderson, 
married Mr. Eli Carson. In 1848 they removed 
to Boone County, Kentucky, where they re- 
mained till 1855, and then located in Clark 
County, Missouri. Mr. Anderson was reared 
to a farm life, his schooling facilities being 
limited to the common schools. While still a lad 
of but fifteen years of age lie started in life for 
himself, and engaged in farm occupations and 
teaming. He continued these occupations until 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



1863, when, desirous of improving his condition 
in life he decided to go west, and in that year 
started across the plains for California. This 
journey was made by ox teams, and it was not 
until September 1, that he arrived in Plumas 
County. His lirst occupation was as a miner in a 
quartz mine in that county, but soon tiring of 
that he engaged in chopping wood and other 
labor until tiie next spring. In the spring of 
1864 he went to Nevada, but not tinding em- 
ployment suited to his taste, he returned to Cali- 
fornia, and after a short stay in Plumas County, 
finally located in Modoc County. While there 
he was engaged principally as a farm hand until 
1865, when he began teaming and was employed 
by Charles Clark in teaming from Lassen County 
to Nevada and Boise City. In the fall of 1866 
Mr. Anderson came to Sonoma County. It was 
his intention then to return East, but liking the 
location, climate, etc., he decided to stay in the 
county. He purchased a team and commenced 
teaming between the redwoods and Petalnma. 
In 1867 Mr. Anderson married Miss Martha J. 
Shortridge, a native of Indiana. After his 
mai-riage he, in connection with his brother, 
bought a tract of timber land in Pocket Canon 
where he resided for two years, being still en- 
gaged in teaming. He then purchased 160 acres 
of land, two miles southeast of Guerneville in 
Mary's Canon, upon which he resided one year, 
after which he returned to Pocket Canon where 
he resided until 1872. In that yeir he moved 
to Forestville, purchased village lots and built 
himself a home. While here Mr. Anderson was 
engaged in selling chairs from the Forestville 
manufactory. In 1874 he took up his present 
residence. At that time the building of the 
railroad into the redwoods had made his team- 
ing operations unprofitable. Therefore he aban- 
doned that enterprise and purchased a steam 
threshing machine with a complete outfit such 
as would enable him to successfully carry on the 
operations of a grain thresher. For the next 
ten years Mr. Anderson was employed during 
the harvest season in threshing grain in Colusa 
County, and during the other portions of the 



year in improving and cultivating his orchard 
and vineyard property at Forestville. In 1884 
he sold his threshing outfit and since that time 
has devoted himself entirely to horticultural 
pursuits. Mr. Anderson is an enthusiastic and 
successful orchardist. In this calling he has dis- 
played his usual energy and good sound business 
qualities, so essential to success in any enter- 
prise. He is a liberal minded and public 
spirited citizen, ready at all times to aid in any 
enterprise that he believes will advance the in- 
terests and prosperity of his section. He is a 
member of the Methodist church. In politics, 
he is a Democrat, but entertains liberal and con- 
servative- views upon the important political 
issues of the day. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have 
two children, Clara and Albert, both residing at 
home. 

. . . ,u?.?| tt.^i.. ... 

i^SklPvAM C. MANUEL.— One of the most 
ffW! noticeable industries — aside from those of 
"^(1 an agricultural nature — of Sonoma County 
and its vicinity, is that of the quarrying of 
basalt paving blocks. This enterprise gives 
employment to a large number of men and 
brings thousands of dollars into the county each 
month. Among the most extensive of these 
industries is that conducted by the subject of 
this sketch. He has four quarries, one of which 
is located upon a seventeen acre tract which .he 
owns, situated a short distance north of Sonoma. 
The other three are leased from the following 
persons: J. Snyder, C. Badger and W. M. Read. 
Mr. Manuel employs from forty-five to fifty men 
and from sixteen to twenty horses in his busi- 
ness, quarrying an average of 80,000 blocks per 
month. The most of this is shipped to San 
Francisco, but San Jose and Stockton are also 
supplied upon demand. Mr. Manuel com- 
menced operations in Sonoma in 1882, and has 
constantly increased his business since. Upon 
his seventeen acres he has a comfortable resi- 
dence, barns, etc., also a family orchard, orna- 
mental trees and other improvements. He also 



HISTORY OP SONOMA COUNTY. 



owns sixty acres near Calistoga, Napa County. 
The subject of tliis sketch was born in Orleans 
County, Vermont, June 9, 1837, his parents be- 
ing Chandler and Betsey (Young) Manuel, both 
natives of Vermont. Mr. Manuel was reared 
upon his father's farm until twelve years of age, 
and at that early period in life began to care for 
himself, and for the next three years worked at 
such occupations as were. adapted to a boy of 
his age. When but fifteen his roving propensi- 
ties seemed to have gained full sway, and he 
engaged as a sailor upon the lakes, starting from 
Sackett's Harbor, New York. He followed this 
(tailing until 1857, at which time he came, via 
steamer route, to California. Soon after his ar- 
rival in San Francisco he started for the mines, 
and during the next eight years he pursued that 
fickle goddess — gold — in the mines of Yuba and 
Nevada counties. In 1865 he returned to his 
calling as a sailor, and purchased a schooner, 
which he commanded and placed in the freight- 
ing business, between Napa and Sonoma coun- 
ties and San Francisco. That occupation he 
followed until 1867, when he located in Placer 
County, leased a quarry, and engaged in (quarry- 
ing building stone and paving blocks. Tiie 
paving blocks thus obtained were the finest ever 
quarried in California. He conducted his busi- 
ness in Placer County until 1873, in which 
year he located in Napa County and there 
opened quarries which he continued to operate 
until 1875, when he moved to Solano County, 
engaging in the same business there until he 
came to his present location. Mr. Manuel, al- 
though but a comparatively new-comer in So- 
noma County, is greatly interested in its growth 
and prosperity. An energetic and enterprising 
citizen, he is ever ready to aid in all movements 
that will tend to advance the interests of the 
community in which he resides. He is one of 
the city trustees of Sonoma, a position lie has 
held for the past four years. He is a member 
of Sonoma Lodge, No. 28, 1. O. O. F., and also 
of the K. of P. Politically, he is a consistent 
Kepublican. In 1865 Mr. Manuel visited the 
Eastern States, and while there married Miss 



Nettie Young, a native of New York. They 
have seven children: Harvey S., Leroy, Flor- 
ence, Pearl, Bertha, Cora and Raymond. Harvey 
S. married Miss Sophia Baettge, of Sonoma, at 
which place he resides. 

l^EV. GEORGE B. CLIFFORD was born 
IM in Indiana, August 3, 1823. His father 
~^^ was a native of Danville, Vermont, and 
his mother of Bangor, Maine. Soon after their 
marriage they moved West, residing for a time 
at Newport, Kentucky, where their first son was 
born. Thence they settled in Rush County, 
Indiana, where Dr. William Clifford practiced 
medicine for many years and died. Rev. George 
B. Clifford received a common school education 
before leaving Indiana. He went to Des Moines 
County, Iowa, near Burlington, where he pur- 
sued his education under a private tutor. After 
taking the four year's course prescribed by the 
Methodist Episcopal church, he entered the 
ministry in 1852. His first pastoral charge was 
at Mount Vernon, Iowa, the seat of Cornell 
College, and after an absence of seven years he 
returned and passed three years more there as 
pastor. He was engaged in the ministry in 
Iowa from 1852 to 1866, and in the latter year 
he was transferred from the Upper Iowa Con- 
ference to the California Conference, in which 
he has served ten years as presiding elder. 
Three times, in 1864, in 1867 and in 1884, he 
has been elected to the general conference — the 
highest council and the law making body of 
the Methodist Episcopal church. Rev. Clifford 
has been two years pastor of the Third Street 
Methodist Episcopal church of Santa Rosa. This 
church was his first charge in California, which 
he served one year, the church being at that 
time an infantile body, and the pastor acting as 
janitor and general utility man. His pastoral 
duties at that time included Santa Rosa, Sebas- 
topol, Green Valley and Bennett Valley, and 
during that year he raised the money to build 
a church at Sebastopol and one at Green Val- 



UI'SrOHY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



ley. He has also been pastor at Santa Clara 
and several other points, and has been on the 
Pacitic coast twenty-two years, all the time in 
active church work. During his official duties 
as presiding elder, he made his home for ten 
years in Napa City. Mr. Clifford has a line 
prune orchard of eleven acres, a mile and a 
lialf south of Santa Rosa, from which he gath- 
ered three tons of fruit this year, it being the 
first year of bearing. He also owns some 
choice lots in San Francisco and in Pacific 
Grove. He is a joint owner in the famous 
Petrified Forest in Sonoma County, embracing 
244 acres, a large part of wliich is fine fruit 
land. This property he and Dr. Crowder pur- 
chased for s(),500, securing it at a uiarvelously 
low price. Immediately after the purchase 
they were offered §10,000 for it. Mr. Cliftbrd 
was married in Iowa to Miss Alice Hamilton. 
They have two daughters, both bora in California. 



ILLIAM D. CANFIELD.—Amongthe 
well kixiwn representative farmers of 
Analy Township is the pioneer whose 
name heads this sketch. No history of Sonoma 
County could be considered complete without a 
more than passing notice of Mr. Canfield. The 
subject of this sketch is a native of Arlington, 
P>ennington County, Vermont. He dates his 
birth October 22, 1810. His father, Israel Can- 
field, was a native of Connecticut, and his 
mother, Sarah (Sherman) Canfield, was born 
in Massachusetts, both being descendants of 
some of the oldest families of New England. 
Mr. Canfield was reared as a farmer until fif- 
teen years of age, when he was apprenticed to 
learn the trade of a blacksmith. After working 
at this two years he bought out his employer's 
shop and conducted the business upon his own 
account. Of an energetic, ambitious and pro- 
gressive disposition, he assumed a man's duties 
in life at an age when the majority of young 
men are still in their school days. June 10, 
1828, when less than eighteen years of age, he 



married Miss Sallie Ann Lee, the daughter of 
Nathan Lee, a native of Vermont. In 1837 
Mr. Canfield moved to Springfield, Erie County, 
Pennsylvania, where he engaged in farming for 
two years. In 1839 he took up his residence 
in Jersey County, Illinois, where he toiled upon 
the farm until June, 1842. After a residence 
in Jett'erson County, Iowa, of eleven months, he 
settled upon the present site of the city of 
Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa. Here Mr. 
Canfield erected the first house and laid out the 
public square, the lines of which have never 
been changed to this day. The house, no doubt, 
has crumbled and gone to decay; but the grounds 
of the park, so tastefully arranged aiul laid off 
by the artistic eye of the energetic frontiers- 
man, will ever remain as oneof the garden spots 
of earth, and a base to the monument of the 
early pioneers of Oskaloosa. It was through 
his influence and exertions also that the county 
seat of Mahaska County was located here, where 
it remains at present. On INIay 4, 1847, Mr. 
Canfield emigrated with his wife and five chil- 
dren, across the plains to Oregon. The journey 
was made with little difliculty, save the hard- 
ships that are incident to all pioneers in ci-oss- 
ing the trackless, uninhabited wilds over which 
they passed. On October 20, 1847, they reached 
Dr. Whitman's mission in Walla Walla Valley. 
Upon their arrival they not only found Dr. 
Whitman, but quite a little settlement, consist- 
ing of the doctor and wife, seven mission chil- 
dren by the name of Sager, Mr. Saunders, wife 
and five children, Mr. Kimball, wife and five 
children, Mr. Hall, wife and five children, Mrs. 
Hayes and two children. The whole party, in- 
cluding Mr. and Mrs. Canfield and their five 
children, numbered as follows: Fourteen men, 
seven women and thirty-two children. Here 
they were treated in a very hospitable manner, 
and were made to feel perfectly at home. As 
they had found such comfortable quarters and 
a perfect haven of rest, they decided to remain 
at the mission until the following spring, when 
they would contin\ie on their journey to the 
Willamette River, the place of their destina- 



nisrORY OF tiONOMA COUNTY. 



tion. Here the residents of the happy little 
village were nestled together iti one family, as 
it were, and the last accession, that of the Can- 
field family, evidently felt as safe and free from 
harm as they did when sheltered beneath the 
roof or gathered aronnd the hearthstone of 
their far Eastern home. But it must not be for- 
gotten that tiiey were in a hostile country, 
althougli there had not been any Indian 
trouble in this immediate locality for several 
years, none in fact since Dr. Whitman located 
here, whicli was about the year 1837. The 
C'ayuses (this being the name of the tribe with 
whicl) the doctor had to deal) had always been 
kind and obedient to him, and were seemingly 
perfectly satisfied with tlie treatment they had 
received at his hands. Indeed, so much confi- 
dence did Dr. Wiiitman have in his little band 
of Cayuses, that if there was a word dropped 
by any one of the company questioning the 
friendliness, or in any way expressing any fear 
of the aborigines, their minds were soon set at 
rest by the convincing answer from the doctor, 
whose feelings would seem hurt when any allus- 
ion of this nature was made. However, we will 
see how we are victimized sometimes by mis- 
placed confidence, and made to drink the bitter 
dregs of deception, deceived and murdered by 
those whom we once held close to our bosoms, 
and were our compaTiions for many ahmgyear. 
Soon after the arrival of Mr. Canfield and fam- 
ily at the !nission, there arrived missionaries of 
a different persuasion, and whom, it is said, in- 
fluenced the Indians against their old teacher. 
Dr. Whitman. There were no visible evidences 
of treachery upon the part of the aborigines, 
and every one about tlie mission felt as secure 
and safe as they did before receiving the visit 
from these missionaries, who proved to be trait- 
ors in the camp, Tlie morning of the 29th of 
.November, 1847, dawned as bright, fresh and 
beautiful as ever lit up the picturesque valley of 
the Walla Walla; all nature seemed to smile in 
answer to the iimocent prattle of little children, 
and all reposed in confiilence and security. But, 
alas! a little later in the day they were surprised 



and fired upon by the Indians whom the doctor 
had labored with so many years. Imagine for 
an instant, and try to picture, if such a thing 
be possible, the condition of Dr. Wiiitman and 
his little party, surprised as they were without 
a moment's warning, and coiisei|uently no means 
of defense or escape. Tiiey being entirely at 
the mercy of the red devils, were siiot down 
like dumb brutes. The men were all killed ex- 
cept Mr. Canfield and a man named Osborn. 
Mrs. Whitman was also killed. The rest of the 
women and all the children were taken prison- 
ers. Mr. Canfield was sliot in the hip, but 
managed to seclude himself in the old adobe 
house. During the night following he received 
intelligence from the mission children that iie 
was to pay the deatli penalty in the morning. 
As he did not feel disjwsed to depart this life at 
that time he acted upon the warning he had re- 
ceived and, bidding adieu to his hiding-place, 
started immediately on foot for Mr. Spaulding's 
mission at Lai)away Station, in Wasliington 
Territory, a distance of 140 miles, this being 
on Monday night, reaching the mission on 
Saturday afternoon, making the whole trip on 
foot and without eating or sleeping. The morn- 
ing after his escape the blood-thirsty redskins 
donned their war apparel, surrounded the house, 
and were just on the pciint of massacring all 
the women and children, when their former 
chief known as " Old Beardy," rode into camp 
with the speed of lightning, and standing up 
right on his horse, pleaded with iiis tribe not to 
kill the prisoners, and after listening attentively 
to his remarks, they abandoned their murderous 
intentions and informed their victims that their 
lives would be spared, but ihey would be held 
as prisoners. The women were forced to do the 
cooking for the Indians, sixty-two in number, 
and the children were forced to attend to all 
their other wants that would add comfort and 
ease to the lords of the wilds. On December 
29th, just one month after they were captured, 
there came to their relief, to Fort Walla Walla, 
a man by the name of I'eter Ogden, the chief 
factor of the Hudson Bay Fur Comi)any, from 



lUslOUY iiF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Vancouver. After a talk of three days and 
nights with tlie Indians he succeeded in pur- 
chasing the prisoners, first promising tliem tliat 
they (the fur company) would not molest 
them, but could not make the same promise 
for the Boston hoys in punishing them for what 
they had done. So the bargain was made, and 
they were paid in guns, blankets, ammunition, 
knives, etc. After gaining possession of the 
prisoners, he made a contract with the Nez 
Perces to bring Mr. Canlield and Mr. Spauld- 
ing's family to Walla Walla fort, if they wished 
to come, where he joined his children and grief- 
stricken wife. Not only was he received with 
outstretched arms, but weeping for jo}-, as it 
was supposed by all that he had perished. On 
his arrival Mr. Ogden took the party in three 
small boats and proceeded down the Columbia 
River, landing at Oregon City January 12. 1848. 
Upon their arrival they had nothing but the 
clothes upon their backs. After procuring com- 
fortable quarters for his family, Mr. Cantield 
joined the volunteers and went back for the pur- 
pose of pursuing the Indians and to drive them 
from their reservation, wiiich was accomplished, 
when they returned to Oregon City, and the 
company disbanded on July 1, 1848. The chief, 
Tetokite, and four of the Indians were hanged 
at Oregon City in 1850. March 4, 1849, Mr. 
Cantield and family took passage on a sailing 
vessel for San Francisco, where they arrived 
March 10, 1849. Here they remained until 
August 1, 1850, when they became residents of 
this county, settling in Sonoma City. Soon 
after settling here he went to Sacramento and 
engaged in the soda manufacturing business, 
leaving his family at Sonoma. Not finding this 
business congenial to his taste he soon returned 
to this countj^, and in January, 1852, he moved 
upon his present estate. Since that time Mr. 
Canfield has devoted his attention to agricult- 
ural pursuits. His magnificent farm comprises 
550 acres of rich and jjroductive land, located 
in Blucher Valley, in the Canfield school dis- 
trict, four miles northeast of Bloomfield. With 
the exception of ten acres in orehaid, which is 



producing a large variety of fruits, and six acres 
in Zinfandel grapes, his land is devoted to hay, 
grain and stock. Among the latter is a dairy 
of seventy cows. This fine farm and the many 
improvements is the result of years of energetic 
labor and sound business principles on the part 
of Mr. Canfield, and he may well be proud of 
the success he has achieved. Mr. Canfield is 
well-known throughout Sonoma County. His 
long residence, straightforward consistent mode 
of life, and honest manly dealings have gained 
him hosts of friends and acquaintances, by all 
of whom he is universally respected and es- 
teemed. During his long residence he has 
always been a public-spirited and progressive 
citizen, always ready to aid in any enterprise 
that tends to advance the interests and welfare 
of the community in which he resides. A 
staunch supporter of the pul)lic schools, he'has 
for many years been one of the leading school 
trustees of his district. In political matters 
Mr. Canfield is a strong supporter of the Repub- 
lican party, and has been since its organization 
in 1856. Before that date he has been associ- 
ated with the Democratic party. Mrs. Canfield 
was born in Arlington, Bennington Count}', 
Vermont, August 12, ISIO, and died on the old 
homestead, March, 1888. From the marriage 
of Mr. and Mrs. Canfield the following named 
children were born: Nathan L., born in Arling- 
ton, July 7, 1829, and died February 18, 1835; 
Ellen S., born at Arlington, June 5, 1831, died 
July 12, 1865; Oscar F., born at Springfield, 
Pennsylvania, March 8, 1888, married Miss 
Ann Maples, of Sonoma County, and is now 
living in Idaho; Clarisa A., now Mrs. J. H. 
Knowles, of Petaluma, born in Delphi, Jersey 
County, October 31, 1840; Sylvia Ann, born 
at Fairfield, Jefferson County, Iowa, February 
7, 1842, died in Sonoma County February 4, 
1854; Albert, born at Oskaloosa, Iowa, May 18, 
1845, married Miss Matilda Baker; he died in 
1880, and his widow and son, Albert E., are 
now living with Mr. Canfield; William D., Jr., 
born in Oregon City, February 3, 1848, and 
died in San Francisco July 5, 1849: Julia, born 



IIlSTUliY OF !<i>NOMA COUNTY. 



in San Francisco August 3, 1850, and died Au- 
gust 6, of the same ^-ear. In 1853 Mrs. Canfield 
visited her brother in tlie East. After remain- 
ing a short time she set out on her journey back 
in company with her mother, wiio, when one 
day out from Panama, was taken ill and died. 
Once more Mrs. Canfield's heart was made to 
bleed, and yet, when she thought of what slie 
liad passed through in '47, she felt grateful to 
Him that her life, as well as that of herhusbaiid 
and children, had been spared, when at one 
time it hung by a little thread. On June 10, 
1878, Mr. and Mrs. Canfield celebrated their 
golden wedding at their home, all the family 
being present but their eldest son and family, 
who were at the time in Idaho. 

Alas! how time flies on apace, 

We cannot stay its flight; 
It waits for neither priest nor king, 

And soon will all be nis'ht. 



J^^OBERT MOORE, one of the enterprising 
\^1 men of Healdsburg, and senior member of 
^((n^ the tirm of Moore & Dennes, is a native 
of Devonshire, England, born August 18, 1850, 
and a son of Abraham and Matilda (Olide) 
Moore. He was reared at his native place until 
reaching the age of twenty-iive years, and ac- 
quired a thorough knowledge of the butchering 
business. He then came to America, and ob- 
tained employment at Cincinnati. Ohio. In 
1874 he came -out to ('alifornia, locating at 
Healdsburg, and has since been identified with 
that locality. For several years he was in the 
employ of John D. Hassett, and afterward with 
Seawell Bros., butchers. In 1881 he bought an 
interest in the Inisiness, and the firm became 
Seawell & Moore. Since February, 1887, the 
present firm of Moore & Dennes has been in 
existence. Before coming to this country Mr. 
Moore was united in marriage with Miss Clara 
Dennes, a native of Somerset, England. They 
have two children, William and Rosalie. Mr. 
Aloore is a nicinl)or and past master wrirknian 



of the Healdsburg Lodge, A. O. U. W. Polit- 
ically he is a Democrat. Edward Dennes, 
junior member of the firm of Moore vt Dennes, 
is a native of England. He has charge of the 
slaughtering department of the firm's business, 
the abattoir lieing located north of the city. 

^ ■ :,^. ♦^^^■^ 

IIJJAM 1!. WHITNEY, of the firm 
fl of Miller iV: Whitnej-, druggists, Healds- 
burg, is a native of Belfast, Maine, 
born in December, 1852. His parents, William 
and Mary H. (Condon) Wliitney, were also born 
in Maine. In 18(i8 the family removed to 
California via Panama, landing in San Francisco 
in July of that year, and locating in Sonoma 
County. The father, who had been a sea cap- 
tain, gave up his former calling after coming to 
this State, and after spending some time in min- 
ing, etc., retired to his ranch near Healdsburg. 
William B. Whitney, the subject of this sketch, 
became associated with George T. Miller in the 
present drug firm, in 1886. This house is one 
of the oldest in the city, having be^in founded 
b}' Cannon & Ilutton back in the '60's. Wright 
& Brown succeeded that firm in 1870. and the 
last named memljer dropped out in 1883, the 
remaining partner conducting the business alone 
until he sold out to the present owners, in 1886. 
This business is ably conducted and is an exten- 
sive one, the stock of goods carried averaging 
about $6,500. Mr. Whitney was married in 
Healdsburg to Miss Laura A. Cavanagli, a na- 
tive of Petaluma. They have one child, John 
C. Mr. Whitney is the owner of a ranch of 
seventeen acres, on the west side of Dry Creek, 
about nine miles from Healdsburg, and due 
west from Geyscrville, the place being a portion 
of the old Kennedy I'ell ranch, and purchased 
by the present owner in 1885. When lie bought 
the rancli it was entirely unimproved, but the 
first year he planted eight acres of Zinfandel 
grapes, which acreage has since been increased 
to twelve. He has also set out two acres in 
apricots, an<l two acro.-^ in mixed fruits. Every 



HISTORY OF HONOMA COUNTY. 



thing on the place has shown such fas'orable 
progress as to exceed the expectations of the 
owner, and the peaches, planted in 1885, are 
bearing nicely in 1888. Mr. Whitney is an 
active, energetic man, and owes his business 
success to his own endeavors. He is a member 
of the local lodge, I. O. O. F. 



fEORGE PEARCE, district attorney of 
Sonoma County, is the oldest practicing 
attorney in the county, having been in 
active law practice here since 1856. He came 
to Sonoma from Stockton in June, 1849, and 
has been a resident of the county ever since. 
He went to Stockton from San Francisco the 
previous spring, and being attacked with malaria, 
he came over to Sonoma to recover his health, 
and was so delighted with the climate that he 
decided to make this county his home. There 
was no lawyer within what is now Sonoma 
County, except Charles P. Wilkins, who came 
about that time and first settled in the old town 
of Sonoma. After the removal of the county 
seat from Sonoma. to Santa Rosa, he moved to 
Santa Rosa and practiced inany years in the 
county, married, reared a family and died here. 
He was a man of ardent temperament, an en- 
thusiastic and able advocate before a jury. Mr. 
Wilkins held the ofKce of Prefect for this dis- 
trict, a judicial otSce under the Mexican Gov- 
ernment. Lilburn "W. Boggs, ex-Governor of 
Missouri, C. P. Wilkins, Richard A. Maupin, 
Robert Hopkins and Mr. Pierpant were all at 
Sonoma as early as 1849, coming in the order 
named, save the two last, who came together. 
Robert Hopkins was the first District Judge of 
this district, being appointed by the Legisla- 
ture. Daring the winter of 1849-'50 the people 
of Sonotna learned that the boundaries of So- 
noma County were being so located as to throw 
the Sonoma Valley in Napa County, and a pub- 
lic meeting was held, at which Mr. George 
Pearce was selected to go to San Jose, then the 
r-apital, and enter their protest. While there 



he secured the appointment of Robert Hopkins 
by tiie first Legislature, to be District Judge. 
This was in January, 1850. Hopkins continued 
judge several years, and, after making an unsuc- 
cessful run for election to the Legislature, left 
the county. The others above mentioned all 
settled here in the practice of law. Martin E. 
Cook, a New York gentleman, came to Sonoma 
as early as 1850. He was subsequently not 
only a prominent lawyer, bxit a leading active 
politician, and served a term in the State Senate. 
He died at Sonoma. Attorney Pearce began 
the study of law in the otfice of Mr. Maupin 
and Thomas J . Boggs at Sonoma. These men 
remained in partnership until the death of 
Boggs, and years later Mr. Maupin also died in 
this county. After the county seat was re- 
n:oved from Sonoma Mr. Pearce went to Reta- 
in ma and completed his law course in the office 
of J. B. Southard (afterward judge of this dis- 
trict), and was admitted to the bar in 1856. 
On July 1, 1856, Mr. Pearce opened a law office 
in Petaluma, in which he continued practice 
until he was elected district attorney, in the fall 
of 1886, when he moved to Santa Rosa. Mr. 
Pearce was born in Louisville, Kentucky, Janu- 
ary 5, 1822. He came to California as a regu- 
lar United States soldier in 1846, under the 
command of General S. W. Kearney. He en- 
listed at Louisville as a member of Company C, 
First United States Dragoons, General Kearney 
(then Colonel Kearney) in command. The fifth 
of June of that year Mr. Pearce's company and 
one or two others started from* Fort Leaven- 
worth, in pursuit of a man named Spires, who 
had started from Independence, Missouri, with 
a cargo of ammunition for Santa Fe, with in- 
structions to follow him as far as the line of 
New Mexico if not successful in capturing him 
sooner. They did not catch him, however. This 
advance was overtaken at the old Santa Fe 
crossing of the Arkansas River by the rest of 
the command, and then came on via Santa Fe, 
thence down the Rio Del Norte to the head of 
the Gila River, thence to where Fort Yuma now 
is, thence to San Diego, which then contained 



UltiTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



683 



but one business house, it being conducted by 
Captain Fitch. At Albuquerque their com- 
mand had been divided, the larger portion going 
with Colonel Doniphan to Chihuahua, leaving 
only eighty men to come on through. These 
men were mounted on broken down mules and 
jaded horses. They had a sharp fight with 100 
Calitbrnians at San Pasqual, in which twenty of 
Mr. Pearce's comrades were killed, and twent}-- 
two wounded. Xotwithstanding this lieavy loss, 
the American troops held the ground. They 
took possession of Los Angeles shortly after. 
At the crossing of the San Gabriel River, near 
Los Angeles, Kearney's command had a sharp 
tight. Mr. Pearce left Los Angeles with a de- 
tachment of Government troops in the fall of 
1848, to take charge of Government property 
at San Francisco and at Pisido. He remained 
in San Francisco until his term of service ex- 
pired, July 1, 1849, when ho was discharged at 
Sonoma. From 1853 to 1855 he served as 
deputy sheriff, under the first sheriff of Sonoma 
County. Mr. Pearce has made a specialty of 
civil practice in his legal work, largely in land 
suits, though he has conducted some important 
criminal cases. Li 1863 he was elected to the 
State Senate, and served six j'ears. Mr. Pearce 
married Miss Brown, a native of Kentucky, 
youngest daughter of Dr. Oscar Brown, for- 
merly of Kentiick}', who came to California 
early in the sixties, and settled in Sacramento, 
where Mr. Pearce married the daughter in 1868. 
They have a family of one son and four 
daughters. 

1^ OTHER W. BURRIS has been a resident 
T^'fi of Santa Rosa twelve years, and has been 
^555^ connected with the Santa Rosa Bank the 
entire time; first, as bookkeeper, and, in 1882, 
upon the resignation of W. B. Atterbury, Mr. 
Burris succeeded him, and has been cashier 
since that time. Mr. Burris is a native son of 
Sonoma Valley, born in April, 1852. His 
father, William I'nrris, .settled here in 1850, 



coming from Iowa, and originally from Mis- 
souri. He was extensively engaged in wine 
grape culture, having been a pioneer in that 
line here. His vineyard was the third one 
planted in Sonoma Valley, and was of the old 
Mission variety. The other two vineyards were 
the Vallejo and the Kebsy. Mr. Burris' vine- 
yard is the only one of the three now bearing, 
the stock of the vines being as thick as a man's 
body. Mr. Burris died July 15, 1888, leaving 
an estate valued at ^40,000. The family con- 
sists of the widow and tiiree sous. Mrs. Burris 
is living on the home place in Sonoma Valley 
with her youngest son, who is managing the 
farm, there being at the father's death seventy- 
five acres in vineyard, chiefly of the European 
varieties. The subject of this sketch was in all 
his early life in the vineyard and wine business. 
He was for three years foreman of the old 
Buena Vista, a joint stock company, that has 
the most extensive wine cellar on the coast. 
They made extensive experiments to produce 
Champagne, and took the second premium at 
the World's Exposition in Paris. This com- 
pany had wine tunnels a quarter of a mile long, 
and expended a million of dollars there. After 
leaving the common schools Mr. Burris took a 
course in Heald's Business College. He was 
then three years with his uncle, David Burris, 
in the Souoma Valle;)' Bank, of which his 
brother is now cashier. David Burris is largely 
interested in both the Sonoma Valley Bank and 
the Santa Rosa Bank, and is also a heavy land 
owner in Tulare County. The subject of this 
sketch was elected to the city council of Santa 
Rosa in 1886, for a term of four years, and is 
one of the most active and influential meiubers. 
He is a member of the Fair Association and the 
Atheneum Company; is also a luember of the 
Masonic Hall Association, and is treasurer of all 
three. He is a Mason and an Odd Fellow, and 
is dictator of the Knights of Honor. He is the 
owner of several tracts of redwood timber in 
this and Mendocino counties. Mr. Burris 
married Miss Mathews, a native of Santa 
Rosa, and daughter of John ^lathews, a promi- 



684 



UIHTORY OF bONOMA COUNTY. 



nent citizuii of the same place, until his death, 
vhich occiiiTed several j-ears ago. 



— •^■m-^ — 

tARRISON MECHAM, an early, pioneer 
of the county, was born in St. Lawrence 
County, Kew York, June 20, 1833. His 
father, Joseph Mechani, was a native of New 
Hampshire, and his mother, Hannah (Tyler) 
Mecham, was a Vermont lady. In 1834 the 
family moved from New York to Pennsylvania 
and six years later to Columbus, Ohio. After a 
year they again turned their faces westward and 
arrived at Indianapolis, Indiana, at the time 
the first turnpike road was built in that State 
from Indianapolis to Springfield, Illinois. In 
1S43 they continued their migration to Iowa 
and settled in Lee County near Keokuk. They 
remained till about 1845 and then moved to 
Atchison County, Missouri. The place where 
they located, however, was afterward cut off into 
Iowa and became a part of Fremont County. 
During their residence there, our subject, in 
his filteenth year, fell in with some old Califor- 
nians who were acting as guides for Commodore 
Stockton on his trip back to the East. Their 
course of travel took them through the neigh- 
borhood where the Mechams lived, and the mar- 
velous tales they told of the romantic life peculiar 
to the western country such as lassoing wild 
horses and cattle, killing grizzly bears, elk and 
other wild animals, all so worked upon the im- 
agination of young Mechain that he decided to 
go and see for himself the many things that 
had been told him. When the California party 
came back that way the next spring (1848), he 
met them by appointment unbeknown to his 
parents, and with the party continued the 
journey, arriving at old Fort Kearney on the 
Missouri River, which at that time was the 
farthest west that any government troops were 
stationed. There he met a man named Dr. 
Saint Clair, who had been through the Texan 
war, and was then on his way to California. 
Youn^ Mecham hired out to Saint Clair, driving 



an ox team all the way, besides standing guard 
half of every third night, for which he received 
his board. The route was by the way of Fort 
Hall, where they took the Oregon route down 
to Snak^ River to where the California trail struck 
across from there to the head of the Humboldt, 
down the stream to the sink, across the desert 
by the way of the great hot spring to the 
Truckee River. They traveled up that ri\er, 
crossing it twenty-seven times, to Truckee and 
the Cainbal camp where the Donner party met 
their fate. They went to the remains of their 
cabins and saw the bones of those who perished 
there, and saw where the^'had been cut and sawed 
in two by the surviving ones as long as they lived, 
getting what nourishment they could from the 
marrow. From there the Sierra Nevada Mount- 
ains were crossed and they came down on the 
other side and entered the Sacramento Valley 
at Johnson's ranch, on Bear River. There they 
first met Nicholas Carriger, one of the old pio- 
neers of Sonoma County, -who came to Mr. 
Mecham's tent on the first evening of their ar- 
rival and said the Indian's had just killed two 
of his men and wanted the arriving party to 
join in an effort to catch the murderers. The 
result was they set out in pursuit and went to 
where the Indians were in camp. The party of 
whites surrounded the Indian huts and captured 
the old chief and took him down to their camp, 
leaving word w'th the Indians, however, that if 
they did not produce the ones who did the kill- 
ing, by ten o'clock the next day, they would hang 
the old chief. Before the time appointed, on 
the following morning, the guilty ones were 
brought forward and delivered to the whites, 
who hung them all on the same limb of a big 
white oak tree. The executions took place one 
at a time, and the unfortunate dangling by the 
neck under the tree, writhing in his death 
agonies would form a source of amusement for 
the other red men who were waiting their turn 
for a similar proceeding. The dead bodies were 
then given back to the tribe who cut them down 
and piled them on top of a big brush heap they 
had gathered, and on which they then burned. 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



This was the manner the Indian's had of dis- 
posing of tiieir dead. By this tiine gold liad 
been discovered. The first our party knew of 
it was from a California regiment of Mormons 
who were on their way back to settle Salt Lake 
City, and sliowed them some of tlie gold dust- 
The party went to the gold mines on the Yuba 
River at a place called Parks Bar, which was 
named after one of the party. There they 
came across Holt and Abraham Fine, who were 
at work in the mines. Mr. Mecliam, with two 
others bought the "Fine'' claim and their 
tools which consisted of a little rocker or cradle 
about three feet long that was used to separate 
the gold from the dirt, a crowbar, a flat milk 
pan, and two picks. The prices paid for the 
articles were as follows: rocker, §300; crowbar, 
which was a little piece of iron about three feet 
long, si.x ounces, or $90; picks, §64 each; milk 
pan, $32; two wooden buckets, $20 each. The 
prices paid for other articles used in a miner's 
camp were as follows: flour, one dollar per 
pound; little Spanish beans and salt pork, one 
dollar per pound. Beef was cheap at $25 per 
head, delivered at the camp. There were no 
vegetables of any description at that time, in 
fact no one supposed they could be raised. -The 
cost of clothing was in proportion to what they 
had to pay for some other things. It took $32 
to buy a pair of blue overalls. Blankets were 
$100; boots the same price, a butcher knife, 
$82, and an iron frying-pan, $64. The idea pre- 
vailed then that flour would never be made in 
this country, their supply coming from Chili or 
being packed down from Oregon on horses. 
California is now one of the great wheat pro- 
ducing countries of the world. To show what 
the value of real estate was at that time we will 
refer to a ranch where Marysville now stands. 
It consisted of eleven leagues of land upon 
which were 1,200 head of cattle and 600 horses, 
and the ranch and stock sold for $12,000. 
Another one, the Johnson rarch on Bear 
River, consisted of three leagues of land, about 
3,000 head of cattle and 000 head of horses, 
which Mr. Mecham and two others bought early 



in the spring of 1849 for $6,000. Where 
Sacramento now is there was not a piece of land 
fenced in between the Sierra Nevada Mountains 
and the Pacific coast, except some of the older 
ranches which had a few lots enclosed for the 
purpose of raising a few beans and peas. There 
was no Sacramento then, the business all being 
done three miles from there at what was called 
old Sutter's Fort. All the merchandise was 
brought from San Francisco up the Sacramento 
River in little schooners to where the city now 
stands, and fi'om there packed by Indians on 
their heads to the fort. Mr. Mecham helped to 
cut the first trail to get a wagon from Sutter's 
Fort down to the Sacramento River. Returning 
to the narrative of the mines, Mr. Mecham, 
after buying out the claim and outfit, remained 
there until 1852, when he came down the 
Sacramento Valley and bought a ranch near the 
junction of the Feather and Sacramento rivers, 
at a place called Fremont, lie remained there 
until June, 1853, when he went into the stock 
business. He was shortly after married, and in 
July of that year came to Sonoma County and 
moved on a portion of the ranch he now occu- 
pies, where he is quite extensively engaged in 
dairying, farming and stock-raising. The high- 
est amount of grain he has produced in any one 
year was a 103,000 bushels. He has generally 
had from 500 to 1,000 head of cattle, and also 
raised hogs for market, usually about 2,500 a 
year. From 1,000 to 2.500 acres were devoted 
to potatoes. All this was prior to 1864. In 
October of that year he moved into Petaluma 
for the purpose of educating his children, and 
rented his ranch out to different parties, having 
in all about fifty tenants. Finding that renting 
did not pay for the wear and tear of the fences 
and keeping up the buildings on the place, he 
gradually abandoned it and went to stocking his 
farm with sheep, horses, and cattle, still re- 
siding in Petaluma until October, 1885. At 
that time his elegant new residence was com- 
pleted and he returned with his family to the 
ranch. The ])lace on which he lives comprises 
about 4,000 acres, and he also owns the Sears 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Point ranch of 2,600 acres in Vallejo Town- 
ship, and one-lifth interest in the Juanita ranch 
in Santa Barbara County, consisting of 27,000 
acres. He was married in Fremont, Yolo 
County, California, April 17, 1853, to Mary 
Jane Stewart, a native of Indiana, and danghter 
of Abel Stewart. They have had six children, 
four of whom are now living: Frank A., Lo- 
retta, Harriette, and Belle, the wife of Waiter 
Fritsch, of Petaluma. 



fHOMAS STOKES PAGE, M. 1)., deceased, 
was born in Moorestown, Burlington 
Comity, New Jersey, in 1815. He gradu- 
ated in- the medical department of the Univer- 
sity of Pennsylvania when he was twenty-one 
years of age. After that he took a short jour- 
ney through Great Britain and France, and from 
there went to Valparaiso, South America, where 
he made his home for a great many years. He 
was married to Ana Maria Liljevalch, a native 
of Chili. Dr. Page was one of the most cele- 
brated physicians in that part of the country. 
Many times he was called to make professional 
visits up and down the coast. He was a man 
wlio attended strictly to his business, and in 
that wa}' accumulated a large fortune. In 1860 
he made a flying visit to the United States for 
the purpose of visiting his parents whom he 
had not seen for a great many years, and in so 
doing made a trip to California, via Panama, for 
the purpose of looking after his possessions in 
this State, which he had purchased in 1849, and 
which consisted of the Cotate ranch, in Sonoma 
County. Wiiile here he made investments in 
fine breed sheep and short-horn cattle and put 
them on the estate. He then returned to Chili 
and resumed his practice there, remaining until 
1869, when his health broke down and he was 
compelled to give it up. He came to California 
to make it his home and to regain, if possible, 
his lost health. He brought witii iiim his 
family with tlij exception of tiiree sons, who 
remained there in business and in the ]>ractice 



of medicine. TJie next year two of the sons 
came to this State. In June, 1871, Dr. Page's 
health gave way, and after a long illness he died 
January 10, 1872. His widow now resides in 
San Rafael, this State. Thei-e are in the family 
seven sons and three daughters, viz.: Olof, a 
practicing physician in Valparaiso, South Amer- 
ica; Henry, in business at the same place; 
Charles, attorney at law in San Francisco; Wil- 
fred, manager of the Cotate ranch; Arthur and 
George T., who constitute the firm of Page 
Brothers, ship and merchandise brokers of San 
Francisco; William D., an assistant on the 
estate. The daughters all have residences in 
California. Besides the Cotate ranch. Dr. Page 
had a ranch in Sonoma County of over 3,500 
acres. The Cotate ranch originally contained 
17,238 acres, and was an old Spanish grant, 
patented by the United States. About 7,600 
acres of the grant have been sold, leaving about 
9,600 acres still in the possession of the estate, 
the great bulk of which consists of low black 
meadow land, lying in the sink of the Santa 
Rosa Valley. Of that portion there are abou 
1,500 aci'es which are occupied by tenants who 
devoted their time to the cultivation of grain. 
The rest of the land being adapted to stock- 
raising, has been used heretofore for the pur- 
pose of raising large herds of sheep, but that 
business has been reduced, and they now have 
more liorses and cattle, and also run a large 
dairy. The first purchase of fine stock was 
made in 1860, and again in 1872 importations 
were made of thoroughbred short-horn bulls 
and cow-s selected from the best herds of Ken- 
tucky, Illinois and Missouri. Others have been 
purchased from time to time as required to keep 
up the old stock and for the infusion of new 
blood. The list of prizes taken at the different 
fairs indicate that they stand high. The man- 
agers have always selected the stock not only 
for their beef quality, but also with regard to 
their milking qualities. There is altogether in 
the neighborhood of 1,200 head of cattle, young 
and old. They have a fine line of draft horses, 
and are now crossing the English draft and 



IIISTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Clydesdale mares that are on the place with the 
Suflblk Punch stallions, while tlie roadsters and 
trotting stock are being bred to the highest type 
of standard-bred trotting stallions. 

fEANVILLE S. HARRIS, proprietor of 
the Union Livery Stable at Sonoma, was 
born in Sonoma Valley, November 7, 
1858, son of Sydney and Sarah Harris. Never 
having known the care of a father, he was reared 
at the home of his mother, two and one-half 
miles southwest of Sonoma, known as the Cooper 
homestead. His youthful days were spent in 
farm labor and in attendance upon the public 
schools where the foundation of a thorough prac- 
tical business education was laid. Later he spent 
two years in attending the State Normal School 
at San Jose, and the Golden Gate Academy at 
(Oakland, finishing his school education at the 
age of twenty years. Mr. Harris has led an 
active business life since he attained his major- 
ity. In October, 1879, in partnership with 
Charles Haskins of Oakland, he established a 
conunission business at Portland, Oregon, which 
was continued one season only. He then re- 
turned to Sonoma and engaged in agricultural 
pursuits on his mother's farm, following that 
vocation until 1883, when he purchased a one- 
half interest in the livery business at his present 
stand. Under the firm name of Corbaley & 
Harris the business was conducted until 1886, at 
which time Mr. Harris bought the interest of his 
partner. The establishment is finely equipped, 
employing an average of about eighteen horses. 
A branch of the business is an omnibus 
and mail line between Sonoma and El Verano 
Station on the Carquinez & Santa Rosa Rail- 
road. In 1884 Mr. Harris wedded Miss Roena 
Spencer. Their two children are Granville S. 
and Janet. Mr. Harris owns a cottage home on 
Broadway in Sonoma, and twenty acres of the 
old homestead, lifteen acres of which are in vine- 
yard. Enterprising, energetic and public spirited, 
no movement i)romising advantages to his city or 



neighborhood fails to find an earnest supporter 
in Mr. Harris. Politically, he is a thorough 
Republican. He is a native of California, and is 
the president of Parlor No. Ill, N. S. G. W., at 
Sonoma; also a member of Temple Lodge, No. 
14, F. & A. M., and of its sister organization, the 
Eastern Star. Of the mother of Mr. Harris, a 
passing mention must be made. Perhaps none 
of the pioneer women of Sonoma County are 
better remembered than she. Possessed of great 
energy, full of neighborly kindness, and endowed 
with one of those rare unseltish natures, she was 
devoted to her children and her memory will 
ever be cherished by them. A pioneer of the 
pioneers, she came to this coast from Wisconsin, 
via overland route, with friends, in 1845, being 
then twenty-three years of age. Her maiden 
name was Sarah Biglow. Not long after her 
ariival here she was united in marriage with 
James Cooper, a thorough-going, wide-awake 
pioneer of Sonoma, who also located here in 
1845. (The reader will find biographical men- 
tion of him in this volume.) Mrs. Cooper was 
the landlady of the first hotel opened in Sonoma, 
in 1847. Later they moved to their large ranch 
on the west side of Sonoma Creek. There she 
reared her children and spent the rest of her life. 
Her first husband died in 1856. By him she had 
five children, now all living and settled in life. 
By her socond husbiind, Sydney Harris, she had 
only one child, Granville S. Harris, whose name 
heads this sketch. 



fOSEPH LEININGER, one of the old Cali- 
fornians now residing in Sonoma County, 
is a native of Snyder County, Pennsylva- 
nia, born February 11, 1839, and son of John 
and Barbara (Wilt) Leininger, both of whom 
were natives of Pennsylvania. In 1849 the 
family removed to Stephenson County, Illinois, 
and there Joseph grew to manhood. In 1859 
he joined the tide of emigration wending its 
way that year over the western plains. His 
party started from a point in Vernon County, 



088 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNT Y. 



Missouri, fifteen miles east of Fort Scott, on 
the 3d day of ifay, and spent tlie summer on 
the journey. Tliey cliose the route by Lander's 
Cut-off, and arris-ed in Chico September 25, 
1859. From that point Mr. Leiniiiger soon 
changed his location to Butte Creek, and there 
he followed the fortunes of mining for fifteen 
months. He afterward embarked in the saw- 
mill work, and finally gave up other pursuits 
for ranching in Butte County. There he resided 
until 1885, wlien he came to Sonoma County 
and bonglit the ranch where he now resides. 
Mr. Leininger was married while in Pennsylva- 
nia on a visit in 1869, to Miss Annie Ryan,, a 
native of the Keystone State. Mr. and Mrs. 
Leininger are the parents of seven children, viz.: 
John W., who is in the Pacific Press Publish- 
ing House, Oakland; Ralph, Maggie, Cora, Car- 
rie, ^losie and Charlie. Mr. Leininger and fam- 
ily are members of the Seventh Day Adventist 
denomination. His original purchase in Sonoma 
County consisted of thirty-five acres, the ranch 
being located on the west side of Dry Creek, 
three miles from Healdsburg. There are nearly 
fourteen acres in fruit, the trees ranging in age 
from two to five years. Among the trees are 
almonds, peaches, pears, nectarines, cherries, 
plums, etc. Xo irrigation is required, and all 
varieties of fruits named do well. Mr. Leinin- 
ger is making a fine place of this tract of land, 
and has largely added to it by purchase in the 
fall of 1888. 



fHEODORE SKILLMAN was born in 
Hunterdon County, New Jersey, Septem- 
ber 20, 1830. There appeared to have 
been originally but one Skillman family, who 
settled in Rocky Hill, New Jersey, and were 
probably of German extraction. Washington 
and Ann (Stilhvell) Skillman, parents of Theo- 
dore Skillman, were both natives of that State, 
the latter a descendant of the Holland Dutch. 
The grandfathers of both families were soldiers 
in the Revolutionary war. In Washington 



Skillman's family there were five children, tliree 
sons and two daughters, of whom Theodore and 
two sisters are the on y ones now living. When 
the subject of this sketch was thirteen or four- 
teen years old, after the death of liis father, he 
went to New Brunswick to learn a trade, and in 
the meantime his mother emigrated to Michi- 
gan. He served his apprenticeship at the 
baker's trade and remained there until 1849, 
when, on February 7, he sailed from New York 
on board the bark Isabella, rounded Cape Horn, 
and never made a port, until he arrived in San 
Francisco on the 4th of August, after a voyage 
of six months, lacking three days. There was a 
party of forty members who organized a stock 
company and bought the ship, giving the crew 
a half interest in her, but as soon as they landed 
in San Francisco the crew deserted them. It 
was supposed at that time by a great many ad- 
venturers that there was nothing but gold in the 
State of Caliturnia, consequently the part}' laid 
in a two years stock of provisions, and started 
with the vessel up to Sacramento. Just after 
arriving there seven of the party died from dis- 
ease contracted while on the voyage, after which 
the company disbanded and went out in parties of 
four and five each. Mr. Skillman was sick at the 
time and was intending to return to the East, 
but did not want to go back without first bavins: 
seen something of the mines. He got up as far 
as Mormon Island and there found work at his 
trade. Being much improved in health, he 
stayed there that winter, then went to Marys- 
ville,and from there into Nevada County, where 
he bought out a bakery and provision store in 
Grass Valley, remaining there eight years. Dur- 
ing his residence there he was very successful 
in business, although he met with some pretty 
heavy losses, having passed through three difler- 
ent fires. In 1859 he came down to Petaluma 
and bought land near where he is now located. 
In 1860 he went to Nevada and remained five 
years. He engaged in teaming for the Golden 
Curry Company, who were building a mill, and 
after that was completed, had the contract for 
haulinff the ore from the mines to the mill. 



UlSrORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Iletnruiiig to tliis (^uunty, he sold his property 
and bought liis present phice of 150 acres, on 
which he had at that time a hotel. He conducted 
the business for some five years when it was 
discontinued. Mr. Skillman is one of the first 
who imported fine liorses into this section of the 
country, in fact, in 1876, when he imported his 
first Norman horse, which was the first one 
north of the bay, there were only one or two in 
the State and they had been brouojht here only 
a few months before. Since 1884 he has been 
importing direct from France, making annual 
trips there in selecting liis horses. He is the 
largest individual importer on the coast, making 
almost annual exhibits of his stock at the State 
and district fairs, and taking more premiums 
with his horses than atiy other individual. Mr. 
Skillman was first married in Grass Valley in 
May, 1853, to Catherine Henley, a native of 
New York. She died May 2, 1883, leaving 
three children: Ann Louisa, Charles Carroll, 
and Oliver Ernest. He was again married in 
June, 1886, to Eleanor liice, a native of Cali- 
fornia. 



fOHN O'BKIEN.— Among the old residents 
and representative farmers of Sonoma Val- 
ley is the above named gentleman. His 
fine farm of 400 acres is located upon the west 
side of the valley in the Harvey school district, 
about four miles west of Sonoma. This rich 
and productive land is about t'(|ually divided 
between hill and valley land. At the present 
date (1888) his farm is devoted principally to 
liay, grain and stock. Among the latter are 
about fifty head of cattle, of which thirty are 
used for dairy purposes. Mr. O'Brien also has 
some fine specimens of horses improved by 
Norman stock. His lands are well adapted to 
grape culture and fruit growing. As early as 
1858 and 1859 he planted twenty acres of wine 
grapes, erected a winery, etc., and for over 
twenty years was engaged in the wine industry 
of the county. Besides this well improved 



property Mr. O'llrien also owns 1,000 acres of 
hill land, locateil about one mile south of his 
home farm. This land is devoted almost en- 
tirely to stock piir[)oses, supporting about 150 
head of cattle, of which 100 head are used as a 
dairy. This place is also well improved and is 
rented, as Mr. O'Brien finds plenty to occupy 
his attention on his home farm. The subject of 
this sketch was born in Limerick County, Ire- 
land, in 1828. He is the son of Patrick and 
Margaret (Maloney) O'Brien, botli natives of 
the county of his birth. Mr. O'Brien was 
reared to agricultural pursuits until he arrived 
at the age of twenty-one years, when he launched 
out in life for himself, and emigrated to the 
United States. Upon his arrival in New Voi'k, 
in 1849, he located on Long Island, where he 
engaged in farm labor until 1850. In that year 
he went as far west as Cincinnati, Ohio, and 
engaged in steamboating on the Ohio and Mis- 
sissippi rivers until 1853. He then started 
from New Orleans, via the Nicaragua route, for 
California. Arriving in San Francisco in tlie 
fall of 1853, he proceeded at once to the mines 
in El Dorado County. He was engaged in the 
occupation of mining for the ne.\t four years, 
undergoing the varying fortunes upon a miner's 
life. In the fall of 1857 Mr. O'Brien decided 
to abandon mining and seeli his fortune in agri- 
cultural pursuits. He accordingly came to 
Sonoma, purchased the farm upon which he 
now resides, and has since devoted himself to 
its cultivation and improvement. His success 
in this enterprise is well deserved, for he is an 
energetic, industrious and straightforward man. 
His more than thirty years' of residence here 
has made him familiar with Sonoma Valley and 
its resources, and he is a firm believer in its 
future growth and prosperity. Mr. O'Brien is 
a consistent member of the Catholic church, and 
in political matters is a Democaat. In 1848 
Mr. O'Brien married Miss Mary Scott, daughter 
of Richard and Ilonora (Ryan) Scott, natives of 
Limerick County, Ireland. From this marriage 
there are living the following named children: 
Margaret, Mary, Alice, Nellie, and Catherine. 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Mari^aret married Michael Goff and is now re- 
siding in Sonoma. Alice married Alexander 
Sperry, of San Francisco. The other daughters 
are residing on tlie home farm. The second 
child, Thomas, died in 1871, at the age of four- 
teen years. 






fe--^- 



^ON. THOMAS RUTLEDGE.— The Hon. 
^m Thomas Rutledge, since January 1, 1877, 
^ii a resident of California, and present judge 
of the Superior Court of Sonoma County, is a 
native of Ireland. His father's family emi- 
grated to Wisconsin when he was a child, there 
resided until he had attained his majority, and 
in 1856 emigrated to Minnesota. He studied 
law in the city of Mankato, that State, and was 
admitted to the bar in 1866. He immediately 
entered upon the practice of his profession at 
Madelia, Minnesota. Here lie soon gained the 
confidence of the business men of the com- 
munity, and, although quite a young man, was 
elected assessor of his county. In 18G2 he 
joined the United States army to aid in subdu- 
ing the Rebellion. A volunteer of the First 
Minnesota Cavalry, he was made a Corporal and 
subsequently Ssrgeant in the Eleventh Minne- 
sota Infantry. He was mustered out of tlie 
United States army at Gallatin, Tennessee, and 
discharged in Minnesota at Fort Snelling. His 
cavalry service was rendered against the Indians 
on the western plains, and his infantry service 
was under General George H. Thomas. Upon 
his return from the army he was elected treas- 
urer of Watonwan County, served two years, 
and subsequently was honored successively with 
the people's confidence by the election to the 
offices of county judge, county attorney (two 
terms), superintendent of county schools, and 
in 1874 was chosen to represent his district in 
the State Legislature. In 1876 Judje Rutledge 
made a trip to California. After visiting vari- 
ous sections of the State he, in 1877, took up 
his residence at Santa Rosa. Here he at once 
opened a law office as a partner with Judge W. 



W. Porter, now judge of the Supreme Court of 
Arizona. Judge Rutledge was subsequently 
associated professionally with William E. Mc- 
Connell, now president of the Santa Rosa Bank. 
He was a very successful trial lawyer and during 
his practice was in nearly all important civil or 
criminal cases, promptly retained by plaintiff' or 
defendant. He was appointed superior judge of 
the court of Sonoma County to succeed Judge 
Jackson Temple upon his election to the supreme 
bench, and assumed his duties of office October 
22, 1886. Judge Rutledge was born November 
14, 1834. He is a man of strong physical con- 
stitution and mental vigor. He was married in 
October, 1855, to Miss Griffin, a native of Ver- 
mont. Her father was a native of Vermont and 
her mother of New Hampshire. Six of their 
eight children are still living. Their eldest 
daughter and son reside in Washington Terri- 
tory. The youngest son is practicing law at 
Los Angeles. One daughter is married and 
lives in Colusa County, California, and two 
children are at home. 



I^ILLIAM SHAW, proprietor of the Third 
Street Photograph Gallery, came to 
V op^"*J Santa Rosa in May, 1875, from the 
State of Michigan, where he had lived from 
boyhood, his parents having come at that time 
from Canada, where he was born forty-seven 
years ago. In youth he learned the trade of 
iron-molder, and pursued it until after coming 
to California. He came to this State for the 
double purpose of restoring his broken health 
and bettering his financial opportunities, and 
on reaching the Pacific coast his health greatly 
improved, but the outlook for business at his 
trade was not very flattering. After working 
at it for a time he concluded to try another 
vocation, learned the miller's trade, and for six 
years was employed in the Empire Mill of Santa 
Rosa. In 1885 he purchased a half interest in 
the Third Street Photograph Gallery, with J. 
K. Piggott, the partnership continuing until 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



July 1, 1888, when Mr. Shaw bought Mr. Pig- 
gott's interest, thus becoming sole proprietor. 
This is the oldest photographic studio in Sono- 
ma County, having been established in 1868 
by E. Kraft. During the more than twenty 
years of its existence it has changed ownership 
a number of times. Among the former proprie- 
tors were Downing, Ilea & Ranscher, who were 
succeeded by Rea & Piggott, they by Piggott 
& Shepherd, they by J. K. Piggott, Mr. Shaw's 
predecessor and former partner. Being both 
mechanical and artistic in his tastes, Mr. Shaw 
is an enthusiast in his work, and constantly 
aims at a high standard of perfection in the 
photographic art, keeping pace with the march 
of progress in improved appliances and methods. 
In addition to sun-light portraits, he makes por- 
traits in crayon and water colors; and also makes 
a specialty of fine landscape and view photogra- 
phy, skilled and experienced assistants being 
employed in every department of his art wcrk. 
Before leaving Michigan J\Ir. Shaw was united 
in wedlock with Miss Alice McCollum, a native 
of that State, and their only child, Clara E., 
was born there. 



fAUL F. GREEN.— The hardware firm of 
Baxter & Green, composed of T. P. Baxter 
-\, and Paul F. Green, whose store is situated 
at 527 Fourth street, represents the oldest mer- 
cantile house of its kind in the city of Santa 
Rosa, it having been established by one of their 
predecessors twenty years ago. After passing 
tiirougli several changes of ownership, James 
Morrow, Jr., sold to the present firm in Novem- 
ber, 188f). They keep in stock all kinds of 
shelf and builders' hardware, stoves and ranges, 
farm machinery and agricultural implemerits of 
all kinds, being agents for the leading manufact- 
urers of these goods in the United States, and 
have a fine trade in them. Their sales in stoves 
and ranges and builders' liardware are especially 
large and rapidly increasing. Indeed, the busi- 
ness of the house has been nearly thirty-three 



per cent, larger in 1888 than it was the year 
previous, reaching about $50,000. The fiim 
does a good business in roofing, spouting and 
plumbing, employing an average of five men in 
the jobbing and plumbing department. Both 
members of this energetic and prosperous firm 
are natives of Massachusetts. Mr. Green's 
father, William S. Green, brought his family to 
Calilbrnia in 1853, when the subject of this 
sketch was ten months old, and settled in the 
vicinity of Oroville, Butte County, where he 
lived many years, engaged successively in the 
several occupations of mining, conducting a 
hotel, running a large turpentine distillery, and 
manufacturing lumber. When Paul was 
eighteen years of age the family returned to the 
Old Bay State, and his father carried on a large 
shoe manufactory twenty miles out of Boston, in 
which 500 hands were employed. During the 
twelve years he remained back East, the subject 
of this sketch not only became familiar with 
every branch of the work in his father's shoe 
factory and superintended the fitting depart- 
ment, but he also learned the machinist's trade 
in the great locomotive works at Taunton, Mas- 
sachusetts, where 1,200 men are employed. In 
1882 he returned to California, bought a fine 
ranch in Sonoma County, and engaged in liorti- 
cultui'e until he went into the hardware 
business. Ilis parents also came back to Cali- 
fornia, and now reside Oii theii- fine stock ranch 
near Scagg's Springs, in Sonoma County. Mr. 
Green married Miss Scribner, a Massachusetts 
lady, and a relative of the proprietor of the cel- 
ebrated publishing house which bears that name. 
Mr. and Mrs. Green have two children. Mr. 
Green is a member of the Masonic order. 

*^ . t'^M"^^. ■ '^, 



ipv.ON. F. B. MULGREW, Representative 
|rpj\ from the Twenty-third District in the pres- 
*S<1| ent Legislature of California, is a native of 
San Francisco, born July 30, 1854. Ilia 
parents, Felix and Susanah (McNamee) Mnl- 
grew, were both natives of Ireland, who came to 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY 



America when young, locating in Rliode Island. 
The father came out to California, via Fanama, 
in the early mining days, and in 1852 he was 
joined by the family. They resided in San 
Francisco until 1856, at which time they came 
to Healdsburg, and Mr. Mulgrew opened a black- 
smith shop. He resided here until his death, 
which occurred in May, 1876. Felix B. Mul- 
grew, whose name heads this sketch, was reared 
at Healdsburg. At the age of thirteen years he 
entered the office of the Russian liiver Flag, 
and there learned the printer's trade. For five 
years he was connected with that publication, 
and then went to Santa Barbara to assume 
editorial control of the Index. Six months 
later he returned to Sonoma County to become 
local editor of the daily Santa Rosa Democrat. 
In May, 1876, the publishiug lirni became Mul- 
grew Brothers, and afterward Felix B. Mulgrew 
purchased his brother's interest, thenceforward 
carrying on the publication alone. When Mr. 
Thompson was elected Secretary of State, he 
offered him the position of deputy in his office, 
which was accepted, and he removed his family 
to Sacramento. While in that position Gov- 
ernor Irwin, president of the board of harbor 
commissions, appointed him State wharfinger. 
He held that office about three and one-half 
years, then resigned to take personal charge of 
the Healdsburg Enterprise, which in the mean- 
time he tiad purchased. He subsequently 
bouglit out the plant and good will of the Rus- 
sian River Flag, and consolidated the two 
papers, retaining the name of the Enterprise. 
While conducting the paper hu entered into 
partnership with W. H. Moulton in the real 
estate business, and subsequently disposed of 
the newspaper to give his sole attention to the 
business. This firm has been prosperous in its 
undertakings, and in 1887 consummated the 
largest sale ever made in Sononui County, by 
which the "Marshall tract" was transferred to 
Moses Hopkins for S325,000. In December, 
1888, Moulton & Mulgrew established a branch 
office in San Francisco, of which Mr. Mulgrew has 
control, with the idea of enlarging the scope of 



their business and looking more thoroughly 
after the interests of Sonoma County. At the 
Democratic Count}' Convention of 1888, Mr. 
Mulgrew was nominated for Representative from 
the Twenty-third District, and waschosen forthe 
honor at the ensuing election. He is a member 
of Sotoyome Parlor, X. S. G. W., of the Y. M. 
I., and of Alcazar Council, Order of Chosen 
Friends, San Francisco. Mr. Mulgrew was 
married in San Francisco to Miss Alice Hall, a 
native of San Francisco. She died December 
23, 1886, leaving three children- Flora, Lulu, 
and Martin. 



fAVID M. WINANS was born in Elk- 
hart County, Indiana, September 11, 
1838, the place of his birth being about 
three miles from the Michigan State line. His 
father, James Winans, was born in Xew Jer- 
sey, in 1810, and when he was a 
small child his parents moved to Ohio, 
and settled in Miami County. He grew 
to manhood there, married, and afterward 
lost his wife, and also their onl}' child. From 
Ohio he moved into Indiana, and there married 
again on the 28th of September, 1837, his wife 
being Martha Ashby. The country was new 
and the land thickly covered with timber, which 
was being chopped down by the settlers in clear- 
ing places for homes, and carrying on agricult- 
ural pursuits. Mr. Winans bought a farm in 
Elkhart County, and erected a log cabin, in 
which the family made themselves very com- 
fortable, considering the disadvantages of those 
early days. In 1854 he came across the plains 
with a party bound for California, being about 
six months from the time they left the Mis- 
souri River- until they arrived in the valley of 
San Jose. In the fall of 1855 he returned to 
Indiana, and one year from that time disposed 
of his property there, and again embarked for 
the Golden State, this time bringing with him 
his children, his wife in the meantime having 
died. They sailed from New York, via Pan- 



J/lSTuUr OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



693 



aina, and arrived in San Francisco, on board the 
Ooldeii Oate, about the last of November, 1856. 
He located in Marin County, and bought, what 
he supposed at that time to have been, govern- 
ment land, .upon wiiich he lived a number of 
years, before he found that the title was not 
good, and was compelled to give it up. He 
afterward leased the place for two or three 
years, then changed his residence to a place near 
San Rafael, and finally moved into that city, 
where he died September 4, 1878. In the fam- 
ily there are four children, three daughters and 
one son. David M. Winans, the subject of this 
sketch, lived with his father until he became of 
age, when he hired out to William and Sam 
JSJay, a greater portion of the time employed in 
the dairy business. During the first year he 
was thus emfiloyed he purchased 400 acres of 
land near San Rafael, for a part of which he 
went in debt. He continued on in the employ 
of the Nay brothers for another year, chopping 
wood, and doing various other kinds of work, 
and all the time saving his earnings, in order 
to pay for his land, which he did by the close of 
the second year. After a time he bought 
twenty cows, and established a dairy on the 
place, remaining there two years. He then, 
with Sam Nay, leased the Saise ranch, and 
began dairying with a hundred cows, increasing 
the stock from time to time, and carried on a 
successful business for five years, after which 
the stock, numbering 150 head, was sold at 
$55 a head. In 1870 Mr. Winans returned to 
Indiana, and was married, April 7, of that year, 
to Maria E. Newell, who was born and reared 
in the same neighboriiood that he was, in Elk- 
hart County. He returned to California tlie 
following year, and bought his present place in 
this county, about three miles from Petaluma. 
Mr. Winans is paying considerable attention to 
the raising of fruit, having about twelve acres 
in orchard, devoted mostly to winter apples and 
Bartlett pears, together with a variety of other 
kinds of fruit. He has been an Odd Fellow 
since 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Winans have one 
son, William James, born January 29, 1872. 



Misfortune came to them in the death of their 
eldest child, Anna May, who was born April 8, 
1871, and died March 20, 1888. 



|mxNDREW P. G AVER.— Among the rep- 
}|W| resentative farmers, large land-owners, and 
-J^ business men of the American Valley 
school district, is the subject of this sketch. His 
magnificent farm of 1,600 acres is located one and 
one-halt miles east of Valley Ford, on the Bloom- 
field and Valley Ford road. With the exception 
of a family orchard containing a large variety of 
fruits, such as pears, apples, plums, cherries, etc., 
his land is devoted to hay, grai n and stock purposes. 
Among the stock are 340 head of cattle, 250 head 
of which are milch cows, comprising his two fine 
dairies. Alargeportionof the cattleare improved 
by Durham stock. He has a fine thorougiibred 
Durham bull upon his farm. Heuses such horses 
as are required in his farming operations, they 
being draft horses improved by Norman stock. 
Nearly all the improvements, including a neat 
cottage residence, two dairies, large barns, etc., 
have been made by Mr. Graver since 1863. He 
has also other real estate in the county, consisting 
of 480 acres near Occidental, upon whicli are 
twelve acres of wine grapes of the Zinfandel 
variety, and an apple orchard of six acres. 
Ninety head of cattle are also upon this place. 
He is the owner of 100 acres north of Stony 
Point. Upon that place are forty acres of Zin- 
fandel wine grapes, and a twelve-acre orchard, 
containing apples, pears, plums, etc. The Val- 
ley Ford flour mills are also owned by Mr. 
Gaver. These mills are located at Valley Ford, 
and is one of the most flourishing industries in 
the valley, producing about twenty barrels of 
flour per day. A superior grade of flour is 
manufactured by the roller process, which finds 
a ready sale. The subject of this sketch was 
born in Columbiana County, Ohio, November 
6, 1838. His father, Joseph Gaver, was a 
native of Maryland, and of German descent, his 
father having emigrated from Germany at an 



iiisrouy OF honoma county. 



early day, and settled in Manlaiid. Mr. Gaver's 
mother, Elizabeth (Poe) Gaver, was born in 
Ohio. She is now (1888) living with her son, 
and is eighty-two years of age. Mrs. Gaver is 
descended from tlie earliest families of Ohio. 
Iler grandfather, Adatn Poe, was engaged in 
the early Indian wars of the West. The noto- 
rious Indian chief, Big Foot, was killed by him 
during one of those engagements. Her father, 
Andrew Poe, was born in Ohio, and was one of 
the representative men of liis section. Mr. 
Gaver's early life was spent upon a farm in his 
native place until 1857. In Jiine of that year 
lie started, via the Isthmus route, for California. 
Upon his arrival in San Francisco he came 
immediately to Sonoma County, and located in 
Bloomfield. He was entirely without means, 
liaving walked neai'ly forty miles before reach- 
ing Blooniiield; he sought work at once, took 
the first that could be obtained, and engaged as 
a teamster. Then, next year, 1858, he located 
land near what is now Valley Ford, and started, 
in a small way, in the dairy business. In that 
undertaking he was successful, and, in 1862, 
sold the place, purchasing, in the spring of the 
following year, 600 acres of the land he now 
occupies. Since that time he has devoted his 
attention mostly to dairying and general farm- 
ing, gradually increasing his landed possessions, 
until they reached their present large acreage. 
Mr. Gaver has been uniformly successful in his 
agricultural and business operations. He is an 
energetic and progressive man, and these char- 
acteristics, combined with good, sound business 
principles and straightforward dealings, liave 
secured him a competency. He has always 
taken a deep interest in the prosperity and 
growth of his section of the county, and has 
done^much toward advancing the interests of 
the community in which he resides. The first 
school-house built in the American Valley 
school district, was erected upon Mr. Gaver's 
land. He has been a school trustee, and one of 
the strongest supporters of that school, for over 
thirty years. He is a member of Vitruvius 
Lodge. No. 145, F. ct A. M.. of Bloomfield. 



Politically, Mr. Gaver is a Republican, and, 
although not an office-seeker, he has always taken 
an intelligent interest in the policy of that 
party, at the same time being liberal and con- 
servative in his views. 



fOHN SCHEODER was born near Bremen, 
Germany, forty-four years ago, and was 
educated in the schools of his native land. 
When twenty years of age he emigrated to 
America and spent nine months in New Vork 
before coming to San Francisco. Securing em- 
ployment in the latter city, he remained 
there si.x years, at the e.xpiration of which 
time he returned to Germany, being absent 
from the Pacific coast four years. While in, the 
fatherland, Mr. Schroder found a wife in the 
person of Miss Annie Steflens, whom he mar- 
ried in 1871 and brought back with him to the 
home of his adoption. On his return to San 
Francisco he entered the employ of a wholesale 
produce house as salesman and continued with 
the firm ten years and three months. Decid- 
ing to leave the metropolis, he came to Santa 
Rosa and purchased three and one-half acres 
near the eastern boundary of the city, on So- 
noma avenue, settled there in 1884, and engaged 
in the poultry business, in which he has been 
very successful. He started in a small way, 
his first purchase being but half a dozen hens. 
Another dozen was soon added, and from these 
he has increased his flock until it now numbers 
over 400 fowls, mostly of the white and black 
leghorn breeds, as he finds these to be the most 
profitable for eggs. During the winter of 
1888-'89 his egg crop averaged sixty dozen a 
week prior to January 1, and after that consider- 
able more. The price varies from twenty to 
fifty cents per dozen according to the season, 
and for adult fowls he gets from §6 to §8.50 
per dozen. Mr. Schroder devotes his entire 
time and attention to his business, has fine 
yards and buildings for his fowls and is making 
money. His place is nicely improved and is 



HISTORY OF aONOMA COUNTY. 



worth about $5,000. Mr. and Mrs. Schroder 
have no children except an adopted daughter, 
Josephine, teti years of age, wiioin tiiey adopted 
when an infant of two vears. 



fOHN S. OLIVER.— The suljject of this 
sketch was born in Delhi, Delaware County, 
New York, May 4, 1845, his parents being 
Walter and Christina (Satton) Oliver, both na- 
tives of Scotland, who came to the United States 
and located in the county above named, where 
the fatiier was engaged in farming. Mr. Oliver 
was reared on his father's farm until between 
sixteen and seventeen years of age when he be- 
gan a three years apprenticeship to the black- 
smith's trade with Fletcher & Stoddard, of 
Delhi. At the expiration of his apprenticeship 
he worked as a journeyman for that firm until 
the winter of 1865, when, desirous of seeing 
something of the United States, and establish- 
ing himself in life, he started, via the Isthmus 
route, for California, and arrived in San Fran- 
cisco in January, 1866. After a short stay in 
that city he came to Sonoma County and located 
at Bloomfield. He at once secured work at his 
trade in the shops of A. H. Knapp. After 
w'orking as a journeyman about a year and a 
half, he purchased the interest of Mr. Stocking 
in the blacksmith shops connected with Mr. 
Knapp's works, which he conducted until 1869, 
and then took George Pringle as a partner, con- 
tinuing the enterprise with him about two 
years. Thomas Mooney then pui-chased Mr. 
Pringle's interest in the works, and from that 
time until 1883 Messrs. Oliver & Mooney car- 
ried on the business. They were successful in 
the undertaking and had the most complete 
works for general blacksmithing, repairing of 
agricultural implements, etc., in that section of 
the county. October 1, 1883, Mr. Oliver sold 
out his shop to Thomas Moore and then rented 
the fine farm of "William Jones, consisting of 
640 acres, located on the Bloomfield and Val- 
ley Ford road, about two miles west of Bloom- 



field. Since that date Mr. Oliver has devoted 
himself to agricultural pursuits. He is a tine 
business man, and his industrious and energetic 
habits have secured him a well deserved success 
in his farming operation s. He is the owner of 
120 head of fine graded cattle, improved by 
Durham and Ayrshire breeds. Eighty head of 
these cattle form a splendid dairy, the products 
of which are first-class and command the best 
market rates. Mr. Oliver is justly proud of his 
horses, among which may be found splendid 
specimens of draft and roadsters, of the Nor- 
man and McClellan stock. He also has upon 
the farm eighty hogs of the Berkshire and 
Poland China bretds. Mr. Oliver finds the 
most profit in diversified farming, and in addi- 
tion to stock is raising hay, wheat, oats and 
barley, and is also successful in the cultivation 
of potatoes, to which he has devoted from fifty 
to sixty acres each year. Mr. Oliver is well 
known throughout his section of the county. 
Flis business has been of that character that has 
brought him in contact with the agricultural 
and business portion of the community, and his 
manly and consistent course of life and straight- 
forward business dealings have gained him 
hosts of friends. He is a public-spirited and 
enterprising citizen and one who is never back- 
ward in aiding any enterprise that in his belief 
will advance the interests of the community in 
which he resides. He was for many years a 
school trustee in his district and is a strong sup- 
porter of the public schools. In political 
matters Mr. Oliver is Democratic, and his influ- 
ence has always been exerted for what he con- 
sidered for the best interests of his party. He 
has several times times been chosen as a dele- 
gate to represent his section in the Democratic 
county conventions. He is a member of Vit- 
ruvious Lodge, No. 145, F. & A. M., of Bloom- 
field, and of Santa Rosa Cha[)ter, Xo. 45, R. A. 
M. He is also a member of Bloomfield Lodge, 
No. 191, and Bloomfield Encampment, No. 61, 
I. O. O. F. In 1871 Mr. Oliver was united in 
marriage with Miss Etta Hickman, daughter of 
Hiram and Elenor Hickman, natives of Indiana 



U16T0liY OF bOXUMA COUNTY. 



but residents of Bloonifield. Mrs. Oliver died 
in 1873, leaving one child — Walter Engene. 
In 1877 Mr. Oliver married Miss Catherine 
Lloyd, the daughter of "William and Catherine 
Lloyd, of Sonoma County. They liave one 
child — Gertrude L-ene. 

fDWARD SURRY IINE was born in Gen- 
esee County, Michigan, September 22, 
1839, his parents being William and 
Phebe (Gathwaite) Surryhne, the former a 
native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of 
Wales. Mr. Surryhne was reared as a farmer, 
receiving such an education as the common 
schools atibrded. He was of an energetic and 
ambitious disposition, and at the age of seven- 
teen years started in life upon his own account, 
and engaged in farm labor. Before the age of 
twenty-cme he was the owner of a farm. In 
1S58 he married Miss Elizabeth M. Van Due- 
sen, the daughter of John and Mary (Forbes) 
Van Duesen, natives of New York, where Mrs. 
Surryline was born. Mr. Surryhne continued 
his farming operations, also trading in stock, 
etc., until 1861. In that year the war of tlie 
Rebellion broke out, and the North was called 
upon to save our country from secession and 
disruption. Mr. Surryhne did not long hesi- 
tate. His patriotism was stronger than the 
ties of home and his moneyed interests, and he 
enlisted as a private soldier in Company E, 
Twenty-third Regiment of Michigan Infantry. 
This regiment was attached to the Army of the 
Cumberland, and partook of the dangers of bat- 
tle, the hardships of marches, and duties of 
camp life of that army so well known to history. 
Mr. Surryhne shared the fate of his regiment 
until the ne.xt year. In one of the night marches 
a bridge or culvert broke under the weight of 
the column he was marching with, and in this 
fall he received such injuries as to incapacitate 
him from the further duties of a soldier. He 
was therefore honorably discharged and returned 
to his home. Upon his return he devoted him- 



self to snch farming operations as his health 
would permit, until 1865. In this year he came 
by the steamer route to California. Soon after 
his arrival in San Francisco he went to Oak- 
land, where he engaged in tiie poultry business. 
After a few mouths he sold out and returned to 
San Francisco, opening a feed store on Market 
and Ecker streets, and combining with this the 
water business. He was also engaged in a like 
occupation on the corner of First and Market 
streets. In 1867 he sold out his interests and 
moved to Oakland, where he established a lum- 
ber yard. This business soon assumed large 
proportions, and under the name of Surryhne 
6c Vo. dealt extensively in lumber, coal, hay, 
grain, blinds, sash, doors, lime, and in fact 
building materials of all sorts. Mr. Surryhne 
successfully conducted this large enterprise 
until 1880. In that year, desirous of a life in 
the country, he closed out his business and 
came to Sonoma County, and purchased 300 
acres of land on the Santa Rosa and Guerne- 
ville road, on the Laguna, seven and a half 
miles west of Santa Rosa, in the Vine Hill 
school district. Since that time Mr. Surryhne 
has devoted liimself to Hgricultural, horticul- 
tural and viticultural pursuits, in connection 
with stock-raising. He has one of the finest 
farms in Analy Township. The great variety 
of his ]iroductions are deserving of special men- 
tion. Sixty acres are devoted to orchard, as 
follows: twenty acres of peaches, fifteen acres 
of plums, twenty acres of apples, and five acres 
of pears, French prunes and other fruit. This 
magnificent orchard has been planted by i[r. 
Surryhne. He also established a nursery and 
produced his own trees, which are all of the 
most approved varieties. Among his peaches 
are the Wiley Cling, Orange Cling, Lemon 
Cling, Crawford, Australian, Muir, Strawberry, 
Kingsberry, and others. There is also a large 
family orchard which was planted before he 
bought the place. In this there are filberts, 
walnuts, nectarines, figs, apples, peaches, pears, 
plums, cherries, prunes, and also berries of vari- 
ous kinds. One apple tree in this orchard is 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



worthy of mention. It is healthy, productive, 
and of immense growth, covering a space sixty 
feet in diameter. His vineyard occupies lifty 
acres (all l)ut five acres planted by himself), 
producing wine grapes of the Zinfandel and 
Perdeges variety, also twenty-three otlier varie- 
ties of table grapes mostly. Thirty-one acres 
are devoted to hay, and six acres in alfalfa for 
pasturage. The rest of his land, except twenty 
acres of corn, potatoes, etc., is devoted to stock 
purposes, nearlj' 100 acres of this being tim- 
bered and still in its wild state. Among the 
stock are 100 sheep of the Southdown and 
French Merino hreeds. Horses and cattle, such 
as are required to conduct his farm operations, 
are also bred. Among the cattle are some 
thoroughbred Jerseys. Among the many build- 
ing improvements made by Mr. Surryhne, is a 
winer}' and dry-house, both capable of caring 
for a large portion of the products of his vine- 
yard and orchard. A comfortable residence in 
which he has many of the luxuries of modern 
life, and commodious out-buildings, bespeak 
the prosperous farmer. Mr. Surryhne, during 
his comparatively short residence, has so identi- 
fied himself with all enterprises tending to 
promote the interests of the county, and par- 
ticularly of his section, that he is well and ex- 
tensively known. His"previous business habits, 
coupled with unbounded energy and enterprise, 
have enabled him to accomplish as much, in 
less than ten years, as many do in a life-time. 
He is a consistent member of the Methodist 
church, also a member of the order of Odd Fel- 
lows and the A. O. U. W. Of the latter order 
lie was one of the charter members of the first 
lodge started on the Pacific coast, and was its 
first master workman. He was first assistant 
chief of the Oakland fire department. At pre- 
sent he is a school trustee of his district, a 
position he has held for eight years. Politically 
he is a Republican, and was the treasurer of the 
Republican Central Committee of Oakland in 
1880. Mr. and Mrs. Surryhne have nine chil- 
dren, namely: Emma I., who married W. F. 
Price, now living in Oakland; Charles K., i^cn- 



jainin Franklin, George J., Robert, Mabel, 
Hiram, Elizabeth ami John C. 



fDWARD P. COLGAN.— This gentleman, 
who is one of Sonoma County's most 
esteemed and popular native sons, was 
born in Santa Rosa in 1856. His father, for 
whom he was nauied, was one of the famous 
forty-niners, having come from New York, the 
State of his nativity, and settled in San Fran- 
cisco in that year. In 1853 he moved to Santa 
Rosa, then an infant village, where he passed 
the remainder of his life, and passed away in 
1878, leaving a widow who is still a resident of 
the City of Roses. In his youth the subject of 
this sketch learned the trade of blacksmith, and 
about eight years ago, in company with W. R. 
Smith, established the blacksmithing and car- 
riage and wagon manufacturing business in his 
native city. Several changes have taken place 
in the partnership since that time, the firm now- 
being Colgan & Simpson, and they do a large 
" business on West Fourth street, near A street, and 
employquite annmber of skilled mechanics in the 
manufacture of all classes of vehicles and repair 
work and general blacksmithing. In the fall 
of 1886 Mr. Colgan was nominated for sheriff 
of Sonoma County, on the Republican ticket, 
and though the county had always been Demo- 
cratic by a large majority, he was elected over 
his competitor by a majority of 816 votes. He 
filled the office with so much ability and satis- 
faction to his constituents that he was again 
nominated in 1888, and notwithstanding that a 
special contest was made by the opposing party 
for the office of sheriff, and his competitor was 
an old, highly respected and wealthy citizen, 
Mr. Colgan was re-elected by about 400 major- 
ity, while the general ticket went Democratic 
in the county by about 100 majority. This re- 
sult needs no comment as to his pojiularity as 
an officer and a gentleman. Mr. Colgan is 
identified with a ?uiinber of the social and 
fraternal societies, litMiii;- h member of the f>rd('r 



700 



inSTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



of the Native Sons of the Golden West, of the 
Knights of Pythias, and a trustee in the local 
lodge; of the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men, and of the Independent Order of Odd 
ITfllows — lodge and encampment — and has 
served as treasurer of the Santa Rosa lodge for 
six years. Mr. Colgan nuirried Miss MoUie 
Smith of Santa Rosa. 



fRED T. liUOWN, of Russian River Town- 
ship, has a ranch of 240 acres on the 
^ llealdsburg and Santa Rosa road, some 
two miles north of Windsor, on which many 
noteworthy improvements have been made since 
the present owner came into possession. lIis 
vineyard covers an area of seventy-five acres, 
with all vines in excellent condition and of good 
varieties, namely: Zinfandel, Riesling and 
Golden Chasselas. Of these vines twenty-five 
acres were planted in 1881, while the remaining 
fifty acres were set out by Mr. Brown in 
1885. It is his intention to erect a commodious 
and substantial winery in 1889. Mr. Brown 
has also set out over forty acres of orchard and 
has chosen the trees and varieties with the 
utmost care and judgment, so that the products 
of the place will always be in demand. He has 
prunes, Bartlett pears, Japan plums, shipping 
cherries, and peaches of the Orange cling, Sal- 
way, Crawford and Honest Abe varieties. All 
are in the most healthy condition. Mr. Brown 
will plant one acre of olives in 1889, and if 
successful with them will go more extensively 
into the culture of that excellent and valuable 
fruit. While tree fruit and grapes command 
most of his attention, general farming is also 
carried on to some extent on the ranch. A 
never failing spring of water supplies all needs 
of house and stock, and its capacity is not ex- 
hausted by a windmill, constantly in operation, 
using an incli and a quarter pipe. All in all, 
the ranch has an excellent location and shows 
by its appearance the care and trouble which 
have been bestowed upon it, as well as the capi- 



tal expended to bring it to its present condition. 
Fred T. Brown, the proprietor, is a native of 
Columbus, Ohio, born September 26, 1852, and 
son of Abraham C.and Frances (Taylor) Brown, 
the former a native of Massachusetts, and the 
latter of Ohio. The family came to f -alifornia 
via Panama in 1855, locating in Alameda 
County, where Mr. Brown, senior, engaged in 
farming. Plis farm of that day is now in the 
heart of Oakland, Telegraph avenue running 
through a portion of it. A. C. Brown died in 
1880, and his wife in 1872. Fred T. Brown 
was educated in Oakland, and in 1874 engaged 
in business for himself He embarked in the 
grocery trade, and also dealt largely in hay, 
grain, wood and coal. Three years later he re- 
moved to Nevada City, where he engaged in 
mining and afterward in the wholesale tobacco 
trade. In 1881 he returned to Oakland and re- 
sumed his old business, but in 1883 sold out, 
bought where he now resides and has since de- 
voted his time to the improvement of his ranch, 
which he has transformed from a rough place, 
covered with stumps and trees, to one of the 
most handsome appearing farms in the county. 
He was married in Nevada City, in 1881, to 
Miss Ella Hamilton, a native of California, 
whose parents came to the State in an early 
day. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have three children, 
viz.: Addie, Harry and Edna. In politics Mr. 
Brown is a Republican. 

^-^-^ 



imUGUST MICHAELS resides on the Santa 
W| Rosa and Sebastopol road, about four and 
^^ one-half miles west of Santa Rosa, at 
which place he has a blacksmith shop, in which 
he follows his trade of blacksmith; he also has 
at this point a wayside saloon and residence, and 
is the owner of two and one-half acres of 
land. His shop is well patronized and is a de- 
sirable acquisition to the neighborhood. Mr. 
Michaels is a native of Prussia, and was born in 
1826 in Adersedt Anhalt, Bernberg. His par- 
ents were August and Katrina (Ilolwig) Mich- 



HlSTOHY UF SONOMA COUNTY 



701 



aels, who were also natives of that place. Ills 
father was a blacksmith, and at the age of four- 
teen years he was put into h s father's shop to 
learn that trade. lie worked at this calling at 
the place of his birth until 1855, and in that 
year came to the United States. He located in 
New Haven, Connecticut, where he worked at 
his trade until the followitig year when he came 
to California. Upon his arrival in San Francisco, 
being unable to secure employment at his trade, 
he shipped as a cook on a schooner bound for 
Oregon, and after making one or two voyages, 
left that occupation and worked at his trade in 
Portland, and also for the United States Gov- 
ernment at the Dalles, Oregon. He also worked 
as a butcher in Portland. In 1858 he returned 
to San Francisco, where he worked for the ne,\t 
three years, after which lie went to San Jose and 
was there employed two years. He engaged 
in mining for some time at Oroville; for sev- 
eral years conducted a shop in Bolinas Bay and 
also in San Rafael; in 1878 engaged in work in 
Alameda; several years later located in Peta- 
luma, Sonoma County; and in 1885 purchased 
the place he now occupies. Mr. Michaels is a 
self-made man, and his success in life is due to 
his good meciianical ability and energetic and 
industrious l*bits. Mr. Michaels was united 
in marriage in 1872, in San Francisco, to Miss 
Anna Mitchell, daughter of Arthur and Susana 
Mitchell, natives of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. 
They have two children: Anna and Albert, who 
are residing with their parents. 

— ^^m^m^^- 

j;'K:\SA HIGGINS was born on Cape Cod in 
(y the town of Orleans, Barnstable County, 
^3? ^Massachusetts, September 22, 1829. The 
family is of English descent. Asa Iliggins, 
grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was 
born in England September B, 170(5, and his 
wife, Lucy Iliggins, was born March 18, 1709. 
They emigrated to the United States and settled 
in Massachusetts, where they reared a family of 
seven chihlren, of whom Ilorton Iliggins. the 



father of our subject, was born August 23, 
1816. He was an old seaman and followed that 
vocation during his life time. He died Sep- 
tember 12, 1842, after which his widow, Sallie 
(Nickerson) Iliggins, made her home with her 
children in this State until her death. They 
had two children: Asa, and Lucy A., wife of 
Samuel Morrison, of Santa Clara. Asa Ilig- 
gins lived with his parents until he was fifteen 
years of age, when he went to Boston and en- 
gaged in the Faneuil Hall market, where he 
remained until he was nineteen. He then sailed 
from Boston in the schooner Boston, a vessel of 
ninety-six tons burden, rounded Cape Horn, 
and after stopping about a month in port at St. 
Catherine, landed in San Francisco July 5, 1849. 
After remaining there some two or three weeks, 
he went up to Sacramento and from there to the 
mines on the Little Fork of the American River 
where he worked about a year and a half. From 
there he went to Amador, and remained in that 
vicinity until he left that section of the coun- 
try. He had fair success at mining. The cost 
of living was pretty high, and about all they 
could get to eat was flour, pork and beans. 
From there he went to Santa Clara County and 
took up a quarter section of Government land, 
situated between Alviso and Santa Clara, where 
he remained until the fall of 1858. He then 
sold his land, changed his residence to Sonoma 
County and bought the place where he now 
lives, consisting of 220 acres. There were no 
improvements when he came here, no public 
road anywhere near him, and it was a good day's 
work sometimes to drive to Petaluma and back, 
a distance of only four miles. The ranch is now 
under a high state of cultivation, and is devoted 
mostly, to raising grain and stock. The land is 
particularly adapted" to the raising of wheat, the 
highest yield in any one year being forty-eight 
bushels to the acre. The average crop now 
ranges from twenty-five to thirty-five bushels to 
the acre. He has about fifteen head of cattle, 
of which ten are thoroughbred stock. Mr. Ilig- 
gins is a great admirer of fine horses, and has 
turned his attention to breeding and raising 



702 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



some of the finest liorses in the county. He 
lias some particularly fine ones of Electioneer 
and Pachen trotting stock, and also some draft 
horses. He has been a member of the Sonoma 
and Marin District Agricultural Society for 
about ten years, and takes a great interest in 
the welfare of the organization. Mr. Higgins 
was first married in 1858 to Rebecca T. Wis- 
well, a native of Maine, who came to this State 
in 1855. She died December 29, 1874, at the 
age of forty-seven years. She was the mother 
of two children: Anson "W., born February 15, 
1860, died September 26, the same year; 
Charles B., born August 22, 1861, died March 
7, 1885. Mr. Higgins was again married Jul\' 
2, 1876, taking for his second wife Helen H. 
Jones, a native of New York and a lady of 
most e.xcellent worth. She died May 28, 1887, 
at the age of forty-nine years. 

tEOPOLD S. GOODMAN.— Among the 
prominent merchants and business men of 
Bodega Township is the above named 
gentleman. A brief review of his life and con- 
nection with the business interests of Sonoma 
County, herewith given, is of interest. The 
subject of this sketch was born in Germany in 
1838, his father being Solomon Goodman, a 
stock-dealei- and farmer. Mr. Goodman re- 
mained at home, attending school and working 
on his father's farm until he was seventeen years 
of age. His energetic and ambitious disposition 
then prompted him to seek his fortune in newer 
countries, and in 1858 he emigrated to the 
United States, landing in New York in the 
spring of that year. Mr. Goodman stopped in 
New York for about a year, engaging in various 
occupations, a portion of the time being in a 
hotel. In 1857 he came by the Isthmus route 
to California. Shortly after his arrival in San 
Francisco he commenced the business of a ped- 
dler, confining his operations to the city, but as 
his capital increased he enlarged his business 
and made regular trips through the counties of 



Yolo, Napa, Solano and Sonoma. During the 
time he was engaged in peddling he was also 
seeking a desirable location in which to engage 
in permanent business. Sonoma seemed to have 
the most attractions, and in 186-1 he established 
a general merchandise store at Bodega Corners, 
an enterprise which he has since conducted. In 
1874 a disastrous tire completely destroyed his 
store and stock of goods, but nothing daunted, 
he started again and in less than a week was 
meeting the demands of his customers in his 
new establishment. Mr. Goodman is a fine 
illustration of the success that men of his char- 
acteristics achieve. He came to California with 
no capital but untiring industry and a desire to 
succeed in life. These traits of his character, 
combined with a manly course of life, and square 
straightforward dealin£:s have insured his suc- 
cess and secured him a competency. He has 
now one of the representative mercantile estab- 
lishments of Bodega Township, and is well 
supported by the community in which he re- 
sides. His establishment is complete in all its 
appointments, and his well laden shelves contain 
all articles necessary in meeting the most ex- 
acting demands of the community, even to drugs 
and medicines. Mr. Goodman has also large 
-real estate interests in the county^ He is the 
owner of 1)14 acres of timber and farming lands 
near Glen Mills, with substantial improvements, 
including orchard, etc. This place supports a 
large dairy of 120 cows. He also owns 419 
acres in Ocean Township, consisting mostly of 
grazing lands. He is the owner of the buildings 
occupied in his business, and a residence at 
Bodega Corners. For nearly a quarter of a cen- 
tury Mr. Goodman has been engaged in mer- 
cantile pursuits in Bodega Township. He is 
well known throughout his section, and has 
gained the respect and esteem of the community 
in which he resides. Enterprising and progres- 
sive in his views, he believes in the full growth 
and prosperity of Sonoina County, and is ever 
ready to aid in any enterprise tending to de- 
velop its resources. In 1885 he was appointed 
postmaster, a position he still retains. Politi- 



UISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



cally, he is a Democrat. He is associated with 
Bodega Lodge, No. 213, F. it A. M., was one 
of the cliarter members of that lodge, and 
is now its master. In 1874 Mr. Goodman 
married Miss Fanny Kline, a native oi" Germany, 
but a resident of San Francisco. They have 
three children living — Rebecca, Frederick S., 
and David L. 



fDWARD T. BALE, of Healdsburg, is a 
representative of one of the earliest white 
settlers of California. He was born at St. 
Helena, Napa County, January 7, 1844. His 
father, Dr. E. T. Bale, was born in London, 
England, in 1811, and there was reared and 
educated to the medical profession. He was 
commissioned by the Queen as surgeon of the 
English ship Harriet, which in the year 1832 
made a voyage around Cape Horn and to the 
California coast. The ship put into port at Mon- 
terey, and soon afterward the young surgeon 
was married to Donna Maria Ignacia Soberanes, 
daughter of a Spanish military officer, who had 
come out to Mexican California in the interest 
of the Spanish Government and had married a 
sister of General Yallejo. Dr. Bale located at • 
San Francisco, and was soon after granted four 
leagues of the finest land in Xapa County, the 
tract extending from what is now Rutherford 
Station to the line of Napa and Sonoma Coun- 
ties. He located at St. Helena, and beinga man 
of extraordinary push and enterprise, he soon 
comtiienced improvements which were the won- 
der of the natives. Among these were a grist 
and saw-mill (the first in California), which were 
operated by water power, and which arc still 
standing on that portion of the Bale grant known 
as the " Lyman place." It yet retains the name 
of the Bale Mill. Mr. Bale let the job of its 
construction to Sam Brannan, the Mormon, who 
disappeared after its completion without having 
paid his help. He took an active interest in all 
matters promising to promote the welfare of the 
country, and was one of the party who raised 



the bear flag at Monterey. In 1849 he went to 
the mines, but became sick with fever, and re- 
turned to his ranch, where he died in October 
of the same year. His widow is still living on 
the old homestead, aged seventy-two years. 
Their children were six in number, as follows: 
Loleta, wife of Louis Brooks, of Napa County; 
Caroline, wife of Charles Krug, one of the 
prominent men of Napa County; Edward T., Jr., 
whose name heads this sketch; Anita, who died 
at the age of twenty; Juanita and Mariano, who 
reside in Napa. The subject of this sketch was 
reared at the home place in Napa County until 
he was thirteen years of age when he was sent 
to Boston to be educated. After spending five 
years at Cambridge College he returned to the 
ranch. He was yet a boy at the breaking out 
of the civil war, but he enlisted in the service of 
the Union, and was assigned to the First Cali- 
fornia Cavalry, and commis.sioned Second Lieu- 
tenant by Gov. Lowe. He was promoted to 
First Lieutenant, and finally received from Presi- 
dent Lincoln his commission as Captain. He 
served with credit at Salt Lake and in Arizona 
until the close of the war, when he received an 
honorable discharge and returned to the ranch. 
From 1878 to 1880 he represented the railroad 
company and Wells, Fargo & Co., at Calistoga, 
and then removed to Sonoma County to look 
after his interests there. He has resided in 
Healdsburg since November, 1887. Mr. Bale 
was married in May, 1872, to Miss Francisca 
Juarez. They have had nine children, viz.: 
Edward, deceased; Freddie, Loleta, Anita, 
Ernest, Charles, Carolina, Edward and Dora. 
Mr. Bale has a membership in the N. S. G. W. 
and I. O. O. F. at Calistoga, and in the A. O. H. 
W. at Healdsburg. Mrs. Bale also belongs to 
the historic families of California. Her father, 
Don Ceyetano Juarez, was born at Monterey 
Presidio February 24, 1809, and is the seventh 
son of Joaquin and Josefa Pas(juala Guarnuno 
de Juarez. He received his education from 
private tutors, and on April 1, 1827, enlisted in 
the Mexican army. He was stationed at Presi- 
dio, San Francisco, until August 14 of that year. 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



when he went with his command to Sonoma to 
keep the Indians of Sonoma and jSapa Valleys 
in subjection. One night in February, 1849, 
he was informed by an Indian that the citizens 
and soldiers stationed at San Rafael had bjen 
driven out by 2,000 Indians. The Don took 
live picked ineu and started for the scene. After 
his arrival there he found out the situation and 
started in pursuit of the hostile Indians. He 
overtook them at the Laguna, southwest of the 
present site of Petaluma, and after a skirmish 
the Indians retreated, but were again overtaken 
at the Wahluni rancheria, near where Sebastopol 
now stands. There he defeated them, and re- 
leased 200 prisoners — civilized Indians, whom 
the hostiles had made prisoners at San Rafael. 
In the fight Don f. Juarez was wounded, an 
arrow entering his breast after having passed 
through a vest made from some thicknesses of 
rawhide. He sent a courier to the Presidio, 
San Francisco, with news of the affair, and forty 
soldiers were sent to meet the Indians. At the 
present site of Ilealdsburg the two forces canie 
together, and this time the Indians were victo- 
rious. The soldiers, most of whom were wound- 
ed, returned to San Francisco, not having 
accomplished as much as did Juarez and his 
little band. He was honorably discharged from 
the army February 19, 1836. In the winter of 
1837-'38 he brought horses and cattle into Napa 
Valley, and herdiug them during the day time, 
would return at night to Sonoma, where his 
family lived. In December, 1837, his assistance 
was required by General Vallejo in quelling a 
mutiny among the soldiers, and he aided in the 
successful accomplishment of that purpose, not 
without peril to himself. In 1839 he accom- 
plished the return of twenty Indian soldiers 
who had deserted from General Vallejo, again 
placing his life in jeopardy in carrying out the 
dictates of his indomitable will. In 1840 he 
removed his family to his present place, the 
Tulucay grant (of two leagues), which was ceded, 
to him by the Mexican Government October 6, 
of that year, and built an adobe house for a 
residence. In 1845 he l)uilt a larger adobe, and 



both are yet standing. In 1848 he was elected 
Alcalde of the District of Sonoma. The same 
year about twenty Americans assembled near 
where Healdsburg now stands, and Juarez 
raised a force and drove them away. The ex- 
citement was thereby raised to a high pitch, 
bad feelings prevailed, and the bear flag war 
resulted. On January 14, 1846, the Americans 
captured Sonoma Presidio, taking the garrison 
as prisoners. On June 18, Juarez was sent to 
join the Mexicans, who proposed to engage the 
Americans in war. He arrived at the rendez- 
vous, near Santa Rosa, in time to save the lives 
of two Americans, and this act subsequently 
gained for him immunity from disturbance by 
the Americans. He took a neutral part during 
the subsequent troubles, and although he was 
often put to annoyance, received no personal in- 
jury and suffered noserious pecuniary loss. He is 
one of tlie few men granted lands by the Mexi- 
can Government, who preserved his possessions 
until they reached a large valuation, and he is 
now a wealthy man. His life has been full of 
adventure, and if published would read like a 
romance. He was married February 14, 1835, 
to Maria de Jesus Higuena, daughter of Fran- 
cisco Higuena. She was born in San Francisco 
'December 4, 1815. They have seven living 
children, viz.: Aujustin, Cayetano F., Dolores, 
Francisco J. (Mrs. Bale), Pasquala, Domitila 
and Sintoresa. 



fOHN STRONG.— The subject of this 
sketch resides in Bennett Valley, about 
two miles southeast of Santa Rosa, in the 
Santa Rosa school district, at which point he 
owns 240 acres of rich and productive land. 
He has twenty-five acres of vineyard, producing 
wine grapes of the Zinfandel variety, also three 
acres of orchard containing a large variety of 
fruits, among which are apples, peaches, pears, 
quinces, plums, and figs. The rest of his land 
is devoted to hay, grain and stock-raising. A 
comfortable cottage residence, large and eommo- 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



dioiis barns and oiit-l)iiildings attest the success 
wliicli Mr. Strong is attaining. A brief resume 
of this gentleman's life is of interest and is as 
follows: He was born in County Donegal, Ire- 
land, in 1838, and is the son of George and 
Jennie (Vance) Strong, both of whom were 
natives of Ireland. LFntil the age of seventeen 
years he was reared u pon his father's farm; 
where he became well versed in the practical 
details of farming and stock-raising. In 1855 
he emigrated to Canada, and there engaged in 
farm labor until 1858. He then served an ap- 
prenticeship as a miller until 1862. In this 
latter year he started by the Istlunus route for 
California. Upon his a'rrival at San Francisco, 
not being able to secure work at his trade as a 
miller, he went into the country and engaged in 
farm labor, and later went to Santa Clara 
County, where he worked as a miller for about 
eighteen months. Pie then located in Plumas 
County, and for a short time was engaged in 
mining and also in farm work. In 1864 the 
Washoe mining excitement induced him to try 
his luck in that direction. A short stay at 
Washoe convinced him that he was not suited 
to the business of a miner, and he went to 
Napa County, engaging in agricultural pursuits 
until 1865. At this time cotton growing in 
Mexico was attracting considerable attention, 
and Mr. Strong concluded to embark in that en- 
terprise. He jjroceeded to Mexico, but finding 
the climate, people and condition of the enter- 
prise utterly unsuited to him, after a short stay 
he returned to San Francisco. He then entered 
the employ of the Central Pacific Railroad, and 
was for several months at work near Antioch. 
He then located in Knoxville, Lake County, 
where he was employed in the quicksilver mines. 
He then returned to ISIapa County, and in 1866 
came to Sonoma County and located in Franze 
Valley, near Calistoga. There he rented a farm 
which he conducted for the next two years. In 
1868 he moved to Santa Ilosa, where he rented 
172 acres of land from Winfield Wright, which 
he occupied for about a year. He then rented 
the Clark farm near Sebastopol, and conducted 



the same until 1872, when he rented and moved 
to the Ogan farm on tiie Petahima road. In 
June, 1873, Mr. Strong married Mrs. Catherine 
(Morrow) Martin, the widow of William Mar- 
tin, formerly a resident of Sonoma County. Mr. 
Strong remained upon the last mentioned farm 
until 1875, when he purchased the land and 
took up his residence upon the farm described 
at the beginning of this sketch. Since that 
time he has devoted himself to its cultivatiun 
and improvement. He has been successful in 
both and now has one of the best and most pro- 
ductive farms in Bennett Valley. Mr. Strong 
is well known throughout a large portion of So- 
noma County, and wherever known is respected 
and esteemed as one of the honest, straightfor- 
ward and representative citizens of Sonoma 
County. He is a member of Santa Hosa 
Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. A strong 
supporter of the public schools, he has for ten 
years been a school trustee in his district. He 
is a faithful and consistent member of the Epis- 
copal church. Mr. and Mrs. Strong have six 
children, viz.: John H., Emma J., Margaret 
A., Joseph A., Mary E. and Samuel H. Mrs. 
Strong has two sons- by her first marriage, Will- 
iam G. and James Thomas Martin, who are 
members of Mr. Strong's household. 



&^ <^r^' '^ 



ILLIAM STEPHENS, of the firm of 
t't/VMH Stephens & Co., wine manufacturers, 
!^ conducts the extensive business of the 
establishment at Windsor. The firm is com- 
posed of George P. Norman and Mr. Stephens, 
the partnership having been effected in August, 
1887. The plant was purcliased from Bernard 
Iloben, who established the business in East 
AVindsor, and after losing his wooden buildings 
there by lire, rebuilt on the present site in 1883. 
The buildings are of brick, the main portion 
having a ground area of 85x105 feet and being 
two stories in height. The fermenting cellar 
stands 72x84 feet on the ground, having had 
extensive additions made in 1888. The storasre 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



capacity has been increased from 200,000 to 
300,000 gallons under the present management. 
A distillery was added to the plant in 1887, and 
during the season of 1888 their department 
turned out 4,800 gallons of grape brandy in 
eight and a half days. The products of both 
winery and distillery have a high reputation and 
command a ready sale. They sell only to the 
wholesale trade, and place on the market over 
160,000 gallons per annum. William Stephens, 
under whose strict supervision the business of 
tlie winery is carried on, is a native of Columbia, 
Adair County, Kentucky, born January 11, 
1841, his parents being Nathaniel and Gillea 
(Bowmer) Stephens. His grandfather, AVilliam 
Stephens, removed to Kentucky from the vicin- 
ity of Jamestown, Virginia, in an early day, and 
Nathaniel Stephens was born in what is now 
Russell County, Kentucky. The grandfather 
of the subject of this sketch, on his mother's 
side, was a native of North Carolina, who 
moved from there to Kentucky, and in the lat- 
ter State the mother of Williatn Stephens was 
born. His ancestors on the Stephens side were 
Scotch, and were driven to Holland at the time 
of the "Roundhead'" agitation. The name of 
the mother's family, Bowmer, was originally 
Boehtner, and her grandfather, a Russian, was 
sent into exile. He reared two sons, one of 
whom, Elijah, located in Alabama, while John 
Bowmer, grandfather of William Stephens, lo- 
cated in Kentucky as before mentioned. He 
died in 1857, at the age of ninety-four years. 
Nathaniel Stephens was a farmer, but the grand- 
fathers of William Stephens were both distillers. 
The subject of this sketch was reared at 
Columbia, Kentucky, and incidentally learned 
the distilling business with his grandfather. In 
1858 he left his native State and removed to 
Indiana, where he resided for some time in War- 
wick and Spencer counties. From there he 
went to Iowa and traveled through that State, 
Nebraska and Missouri, in the interest of an 
agricultural implement house. In 1871 he came 
to the Pacific coast and traveled throughout 
California, Oregon, etc. In 1879 being asso- 



ciated with Mr. Wooden, the manufacturer, he 
went to Australia on business connected with 
the construction and sale of wind mills and well- 
boring machinery. He remained there about 
three years, with headquarters at Melbourne, 
and returned to San Francisco September 4, 
1882. He engaged in farming and in real es- 
tate transactions, and still retains farming prop- 
erty near Santa Rosa. He leased the Windsor 
winery in 1886, and eleven months later, in 
cormection with his partner, purchased the 
property. On his ranch seven miles west of 
Santa Rosa, on the Healdsburg and Sebastopol 
road, he has forty acres in grapes. They are 
Zinfandel, planted in i883, and there is no 
better vineyard in the county. In 1888 they 
turned out three and a half tons to the acre. 
On a new road between Santa Rosa and Forest- 
ville he has 140 acres more. Mr. Stephens has 
been twice married. His first wife was Annie 
E. Rice,'and is now deceased. By this marriage 
there are two children: William C. and Laura 
D. His present wife was formerly Miss Louisa 
Gessford, daughter of P. G. and Louisa J. Gess- 
ford, and sister of Senator Gessford. Her 
father is one of the most prominent men ot 
Napa County. Politically, Mr. Stephens is a 
Democrat. 



fHKISTOPF SPRINGER was born in 
Holstein, Lower Germany, near the town 
of Elmshorn. August 8, 1836, his parents 
being Christopher and Margueretta (Timm) 
Springer. The foriuer is now a resident of 
Germany and the latter died in 1861. They 
were the parents of eight children, of whom 
Hve died in infancy and another, Margueretta, 
died in 1866 at the age of twenty-one years. 
The living members of the family are Christopf 
and Frank. The subject of this sketch grew 
to manhood on his father's farm, living with 
his parents until he was thirty-four years of 
age. According to the laws of Germany every 
boy as soon as he is old enough is compelled to 



UlSToltY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



attend school until he is fifteen, except in cases 
where he is of poor parents, when, during the 
suinuier months lie is allowed to stay out with 
the exception of iwo half days in each of these 
months. Mr. Springer was married May 27, 
1866, to Mary E. Kroger, who was horn May 

12, 1840. In 1870 he and his family sailed 
from Hamburg on the steamer Ilosased, and 
landed in New -York where they had to wait 
nine days for a steamer to Panama. From there 
they came to San Francisco, landing there May 

13. The following day he came to Petaluma, 
where he lived about two months and then 
rented the farm on which he now resides. In 
187G he purchased the place, which contains 
forty-eight acres of improved land, devoted to 
raising fruit, hay and potatoes. There are about 
ten acres in trees of various kinds of fruit and 
one aci'e in vines, which is principally for home 
use. Mrs. Springer died October 28, 1884. 
She was the mother of five children, of whom 
the eldest, John, was born in German^', and the 
others, Katie M., Mary E., Frank and Lena, 
were born in this country. 



fW. & E. W. DAVIS, proprietors of 
Yulupa Ranch and Vineyard. This 
'' magnificent ranch and vineyard is one 
of the most valuable and best improved prop- 
erties in Bennett Valley. The ranch comprises 
365 acres of rich and productive land, situated 
in the above named valley, five and one half 
miles southeast of Santa Rosa. Fifty acres are 
devoted to vineyard, producing wine grapes of 
Zinfaudel, Mission and other approved varieties. 
A fine orchard produces a large variety of fruits, 
such as are grown throughout the valley, also 
many that are cultivated in other sections in- 
cluding oranges, lemons, persimmons, almonds, 
walnuts, etc. The location, climate, soil, etc., 
seem adapted to an innumerable variety. Gen- 
eral farming and stock-raising are also conducted 
in the most approved style, seventy-five acres 
being devoted to hay and grain while the stock 



finds abundant pasturage in the hills. Among 
the sheep are found 170 head of thoroughbred 
Shropshire sheep, also tine specimens of Dur- 
ham and Devon cattle and the most approved 
and valuable grades of draft and road horses. 
The improvements on this model farm are num- 
erous and first-class in every respect. Among 
them are a modern residence, commodious and 
complete in all its appointments, large and well 
ordered barns and out-buildings. There is also 
one of the most completeand the largest winery in 
the valley, with a capacity of 150,000 gallons. 
Attached to the winery is a distillery of a 
capacity of 2,000 gallons. The products of 
this winery and distillery rank as among the 
best in Sonoma County. The owners of the 
above named property, G. W. & E. W. Davis, 
are well known pioneers and representative 
business men of Sonoma County. They have 
also a fine ranch of 287 acres, situated one and 
one-half miles southeast of their home farm, 
upon which there is a vineyard of 100 acres of 
Zinfandel wine grapes, and also thirteen acres 
of orchard producing French prunes and plums. 
These lands are admirably adapted to general 
farming, having some timber and plenty of 
running water. G. W. Davis and his son, E. 
W. Davis, also own 160 acres of hay and grain 
land, two and one-half miles south of Santa 
Rosa, upon which farming operations are con- 
ducted in connection with their Bennett Valley 
farm. The Yulupa ranch was originally owned 
by I. De Turk, of Santa Rosa, and was pur- 
chased and occupied by the present owners in 
1885. 



fAMILLE AGUILLON.— The world wide 
reputation that the wines of Sonoma 
Valley have gained for purity, bouquet 
and excellence has not been the work of a day 
or a year, nor the result of chance, but is the 
result of years of careful attention and study of 
skillful and expert wine makers. Many of 
these skilled wine producers are from the old 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



wine districts of France and Germany, among 
which mention must be made of the subject of 
this sketeli. Mr. Agnillon is a native of the 
Department of IJasses xVlpes, France, born in 
1828. His father, Francois Agnillon, was a 
larcre farmer and wine manufacturer, and died 
when the subject of this tnemoir was quite 
young. Mr. Agnillon was reared upon the es- 
tate and became skilled in all the practical 
duties of farming and wine growing, and from 
an early age was in charge of the management 
of the farm in all its details. In 1851, the es- 
tate being sold, Mr. Agnillon decided to emigrate 
to the United States. He therefore proceeded 
to London and secured passage on a sailing ves- 
sel around Cape Horn to California. Soon 
after his arrival in San Francisco, he located in 
the n)ines where he remained for a year or 
more. Not being suited to a miner's life, he 
returned to San Francisco and entered upon the 
occupation of gardening. He spent many years 
there working at that and other occupations 
until 1865 when he came to Sonoma and estab- 
lished himself in the wine making industry. 
Mr. Aguillon's success was assured from the 
start. Square business dealing, combined with 
a thorough knowledge of his business enabled 
him to increase his operations, and to-day he has 
the largest and most complete winery in the 
city of Sonoma. This is located on the west 
side of the plaza, where he owns a lot 80x75 
feet upon which are large two-story adobe 
buildings well adapted to his business. The 
capacity of the winery is 75,000 to 80,000 gal- 
lons, and in connection with the winery is also 
a distillery. The products of this wintry are 
mostly clarets, bnt some white wines are also 
manufactured. In addition to the property 
above mentioned Mr. Agnillon is also the 
possessor of forty-tive acres of land jnst north 
of Sonoma, which are devoted to fruit culture, 
thirty acres being in orchard, producing French 
prunes, cherries. ap|)les, pears, peaches, quinces, 
etc. This land he purchased in 1879, and since 
that time has made all the improvements upon 
the place. Mr. Aguillon is a good citizen, and 



one who by his consistent and straightforward 
course of life has gained the respect of the 
community in which he resides. Politically, he 
is a strong and consistent Republican. In 1860 
he visited France, and while there married Miss 
Camille Tnrrcll, a native of that country. From 
this marriage there are three children: Elsie, 
Berthe and Gabrielle, all natives of Calilbrnia. 

tLBERT BURN HAM was Ix.rn in Penob- 
scot County, Maine, in 1809, his parents 
being Jesse and Elizalieth (Harvey) Burn- 
ham, both natives of that State. Mr. Burnham 
was reared to the hard labor attending the cul- 
tivation of the soil in his native State, and was 
also, in his young manhood, engaged in the 
lumber woods on the Penobscot River. At the 
age of twenty -one years he commenced life upon 
his own account, and he then purchased good 
hind at a SI. 75 per acre and commenced the 
clearing and establishing of a farm. In 1832 
lie was united in marriage with Miss Adah 
Thayer, the daughter of Spencer and Abigail 
Thayer. Mrs. Burnham's parents were also na- 
tives of Maine. For nearly twenty years Mr. 
Burnham devoted himself to tilling the almost 
sterile soil of his native State. Desirons of 
bettering his condition he, in 1851, embarked 
for California. Upon his arrival here he en- 
gaged in mining and farm labor until 1853. 
In that year he sought his fortune in the 
Klamath River mines. There he was fairly suc- 
cessful and in 1855 he returned East and re- 
sumed work at his old home. In 1862 he 
returned to California bringing his family with 
him. This time he came overland, and upon 
his arrival came to Sonoma County, and located 
in Bennett Yallev, where he has since resided. 
Mr. Burnham, in connection with his two sons, 
is the owner of 320 acres of hill land in the 
valley before named. His lands are situated in 
the Strawberry school district, on the Petaluma 
and Bennett Yalley road, about ten miles from 
Santa Rosa and about twelve miles from Peta- 



HliSTOHY OF tiOlf/OMA COUNT F. 



709 



Imna. lie liiis fine hay and grazing lands, wliich 
are also well adapted for grape cnltivation. 
During the past lew years Mr. iiurnham and 
his sons have made vine growing a success. 
Tiiey have now (1888) twenty-five acres of 
wine gra]ies of the Zinfandel variety, besides a 
family vineyard which is producing a large 
variety of table grapes. In order to reap the 
full benelit of their vine culture, they have 
erected a winery upon their lands with a capacity 
of 00,000 gallons. This enaljles them to con- 
vert the product of their own vineyard into 
wine, and also that of their neighbors who 
have no wineries. Their enterprise has been of 
great benefit to that section of the valley, and 
is duly appreciated. AV'itli the exception of a 
small quantity of white wines, tiieir production 
is entirely claret. They also raise considerable 
hay and grain and their farm is well stocked. 
Among the stock are 200 head of Shropshire 
slieep, and fine specimens of both horses and 
cattle. Mr. Buridiam, although four score years 
of age, is hale and hearty, and in the full pos 
session of his mental faculties. His strong 
physique enables him to successfully conduct 
his farming, stock and wine industries, and his 
enterprising sons are reaping the benefits of the 
rich and practical experience which his long and 
useful life has gained him. As might natu- 
rally be expected after so long a residence in the 
county, he has a host of friends and acquaint- 
ances, all of whom unite in awarding him the 
respect and esteem which his consistent course 
of life so justly entitles him to receive. In 
political matters he is a strong IlLpublican. 
From the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Buridiam 
the following named children have been born, 
viz.: Isabel, John and Joseph C. Isabel mar- 
ried James W. Sylvester, and is now residing in 
Ilealdsburg. John married Miss Emma Lums- 
den and has two children, Mabel and Ada, 
They are residing on the home farm. Joseph 
C. married Miss Mary M. Wilson and has two 
children, Christina and Albert. He and his 
family also reside on the home farm. As before 
stated Messrs. John and Joseph C. Buniham are 



associated with their father in the farming, 
stock and wine industry, and much of the suc- 
cess that has been secured in conducting these 
industries must be attributed to their energetic 
habits coupled with intelligent business prin- 
ciples. 



m. 



^•ARTIN HUDSON, deceased, one • of 
Y V. the pioneers of Sor.oma County, was 
■^':>?^ born in the State of Virginia, July 24, 
1807. At a youthful age he became a resident 
of Tennessee, where he married Miss Elizabeth 
McAlroy, May 24, 1832. Later he became a 
resident of Missouri, from which he started 
early in May, 1848, with his family, consisting 
of his wife and five children, with ox teams for 
an overland trip to California. Spending the 
winter following with his brother, William 
Hudson, a pioneer of a still earlier date, he set- 
tled in Los Guilicos Valley in the spring of 

1849. After the Los Guilicos Rancho became 
the property of William Hood, which it did in 

1850, Mr. Hudson bought of him about 2,300 
acres. There he ever afterward lived the quiet 
life of an agriculturist, devoting himself to im- 
proving his fine estate. After coming to Cali- 
fornia he became the father of two children, 
and of his family of seven children, five are 
still living, though onl}' his son Henry and his 
daughter, Mrs. Atterbury, are residents of Sono- 
ma County. Mr. Hudson died December 14, 
1871. His widow survived until 1888. 



'^■^■-^ 

fOL. WALTERS, of Mendocino Township, 
is a native of North Carolina, born Feb- 
ruary 1, 1840, his parents being William 
and Jerusha (Miller) Walters. Both parents 
were natives of North Carolina, of which 
colony their ancestors were residents previous 
to Revolutionary times. In 1849 the family 
remove<l to southwestern ^Missouri, locating in 
McDonald County. In 1852 the father crossed 



UISTOHY OF tiONOMA COUXTY. 



the plains to California, gjing into the mines 
of the Siiasta region. In 1854 he returned to 
Missouri with the intention of bringing his 
family out to tiie Golden State, which he did in 
1856. The train in which they came was made 
up at "Westport, and after a trip of five months' 
duration, coming across the plains, the family 
arrived in Napa County. A month later they 
came to Sonoma County, and Mr. Walters took 
up land on the Sotoyome grant. After a resi- 
dence there of nearly nine years, the}' removed 
to a place on Mill Creek. The mother of the 
subject of this sketch died in this county in 
1879, and his father in 1884. Sol. Walters 
grew to manhood in Sonoma County. When 
a boy sixteen years of age he started out as a 
vaquero, and engaged in trading in stock. 
When in his twentieth year he bought a ranch 
in the mountains, about three miles from 
Skaggs' Springs, and was there engaged in the 
raising of cattle and horses until 1871. He 
then went to Texas, and from there he drove 
cattle to Idaho, following much of the way the 
route by which the family had journeyed to 
California in 1856. He stocked a ranch in 
Owyhee County, Idaho Territory, and in con- 
nection with George T. Miller, had 7,000 cattle 
there. He sold out in 1879 and came to Sono- 
ma County again, locating where he now re- 
sides. Mr. Walters was married in the Palace 
Hotel, San P>ancisco, in June, 1880, to Miss 
Susan J. Uarley, a native of Oregon, and reared 
in Idaho. They have two children — Willis R. 
and Adelma. Politically Mr. Walters is a Re- 
publican. He is a member of Sotoyome Lodge, 
F. & A. M., Healdsburg. The ranch owned 
by Mr. Walters consists of 380 acres, and occu- 
pies a picturesque location about six miles from 
Healdsburg, on the main highway between that 
place and Guerneville. About thirty acres of 
the place are planted to grapes, the vines 
ranging in age from three to nine years. The 
varieties are Zinfandel, Gray Riesling, Carig- 
nane, Grenache, Malvoiseand Grossblaue. About 
100 acres of the place are devoted to general 
farming. He usually has about forty acres in 



alfalfa, of which a portion is cut three times 
annually and then pastured, the three crops 
averaging over six tons per acre. About forty 
acres of wheat turn out forty bushels to the 
acre annually. There are twenty acres usually 
in barley, which, being on high land, averages a 
little less per acre than the wheat. The place 
is well watered, there being five good springs 
on the hill land. Mr. Walters usually pastures 
about 300 head of Shropshire and Merino 
sheep, selling off the increase each year. He 
keeps about 100 head of fine Berkshire and 
Poland-China hogs, and also buys and sells cat- 
tle. For work horses he uses the Normans and 
Clydesdales, and for driving, the McClelland 
and Belmonts, etc. Mr. Walters' residence 
cocupies a beautiful location in a natural grove. 
It is a very handsome structure and was erected 
in 1884, at a cost, all told, of 86,000. The 
barn, which is situated across the road, was 
built in 1888. It is large and presents a fine 
[ and substantial appearance, and has all the 
modern conveniences for the breeding and care 
of stock. The buildings are a credit to the 
township, and reflect- credit on Mr. Walters, 
who has done so much by his example to ad- 
vance the standard in this direction. 






§AYID HUDSON, deceased.— Tlie subject 
of this sketch was born July 7, 1843, son 
■^g? of Martin and Elizabeth (McAlroy) Hud- 
son. Almost the earliest recollections of his 
life were incidents impressed upon his youthful 
mind connected with the journey across the 
plains, deserts and mountains on the overland 
journey made from Missouri to this State in 

1848. At the pioneer home established by his 
father in Los Guilicos Valley, in the spring of 

1849, his youthful and manhood days were 
spent in agricultural pursuits. After his 
father's death, in 1871, he succeeded to the 
ownership of the residence, and quite a portion 
of the original large estate. December 20, 
1868, Mr. Hudson was united in marriage with 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Miss Elizabeth Bower, who was born in the 
State of Pennsylvania, but reared in this State 
IVoin the age of ten years, or from 1862. To 
tlieni four children were born, viz.: Alvin T., 
Bettie, Mettie, and Lena. From his sixth year 
the life of David Hudson was spent at the old 
home in the beautiful valley, his death occurring 
April 30, 1879. There his family still live, 
his widow having become the wife of Bu- 
chanan McClelland. 



PUCHANAN McClelland, whose resi- 
dence is upon the old Hudson ranch on 
the Santa Rosa and Sonoma road in Los 
Guilicos Valley, five miles east of Santa Rosa, 
is a Sonoma County man by birth, dating his 
birth i'l Bennett Valley, a son of John and 
Mary C. McClelland, January 3, 1856. His 
boyhood and manhood have thus far been spent 
in agricultural life in the county of his birth. 
His parents, who were among the pioneers of 
the county, having settled in Bennett Valley in 
1852, are still living and at this writing have 
their home in Los Angeles County, this State, 
having removed from this county in 1882. The 
subject of this sketch is now the only represent- 
ative of the family living in Sonoma Vallej'. 
November 25, 1881, Mr. McCllelland wedded 
Mrs. Elizabeth Hudson, widow of David Hud- 
son, since which time he has resided at the old 
Hudson home established in 18-49. The estate 
under the management of Mr. McClelland con- 
sists of 117 acres, twenty acres of which are in 
vineyard. Mr. McClelland is a native son of 
Sonoma County, has great pride in the land of 
his birth, and nothing in his power tending to 
build up its best interests, is ever withheld. 



tOBERT B. LYON. — Among the mechanics 
and business men of Sonoma is the sub- 
ject of tliis sketch, whose shops are located 
on Broadway. Mr. Lyon has at that point a black- 



smith and general repair shop. He is a thorough 
mechanic and an inventor of no little note. 
Among the many improvements and inventions 
made by him, two are specially worthy nf men- 
tion. The Lyon's driveway gate, one of the 
most simple and durable of the class of self 
opening gates that can be conceived, requiring a 
force of but twelve or fourteen pounds to operate 
it, is his invention, as is also the Lyon's vine- 
yard and gang plow, the special feature of which 
is that each plow has a roller or lateral motion 
that enables all the blades to cut at a uniform 
depth. Mr. Lyon claims to have constructed 
the first riding plow ever used in Sonoma Val- 
ley. He has also made other improvements 
well known in the community in which he re- 
sides. The subject of this sketch was born in La 
Fayette County, Missouri, December 9, 1832. 
His parents, John and Sarah (Philpott) Lyon, 
were natives of Patrick County, Virginia, who 
emigrated to Missouri in 1832. His father was 
a farmer and stock grower and to this calling Mr. 
Lyon was reared until the death of his father in 
1847, his mother having died the preceding 
year. He was thus thrown upon his own re- 
sources, and at sixteen years of age apprenticed 
himself to learn the blacksmith and wagon 
making trade. After serving his time he started 
in business for himself and opened a shop in 
Harrisonville, Missouri, which he conducted 
until the spring of 1854, at which time he 
started overland for California, driving an ox 
team the whole distance. Upon his arrival in 
California he located in Sonoma County, and 
in partnership with his uncle, A. G. Lyon, 
established a blacksmith and wagon shop at 
Sonoma. In 1855 he went into partnership 
with Charles McHarvey in the same business. 
This partnership continued until 1856 when he 
purchased Mr. McHarvey'sinterestand soon after 
took V. Hope into the business as a partner. 
They conducted the business until May, 1857, 
when Mr. McHarvey returned from the East 
and again entered the firm, which then became 
McHarvey, Hope & Co., so remaining until 
1860, when Mr. Lyon retired from the business. 



iimroRy of honoma county. 



lie reiiteil a farm in Sonoma Valley which he 
conducted the next year, then established a shop 
at the Einbarcadero, running it until 18G3, anp 
spending the next two years in the United 
States Government employ at the Mare Island 
Navy Yard. Keturning to Sonoma in 1865, he 
again entered into partnership with McHarvey 
and Hope, where he remained until the fall of 
1868. He was then employed at the navy yard 
until 1870 at which time he returned and estab- 
li.-~lied his present shops. Mr. Lyon has long 
been identified with Sonoma County and is well 
known throughout tlie Valley of Sonoma. He 
has for over thirty-three years been a member 
of Sonoma Lodge, Xo. 28, I. O. O. F. He is 
also a member of the Pueblo Lodge, No. 168, 
A. O. U. W. In political matters he is a strong 
Kepublican. An ardent believer in the public 
school system, he has for several years served as 
school trustee. In 1857 Mr. Lyon married 
Miss Harriett Akers, the daughter of Stephen 
and Lotha (Snead) Akers, of Sonoma Valley. To 
this marriage six children have been born, three 
of whom are now living: Nellie, who married 
Professor C. L. Ennis, living at Anaheim, Los 
Angeles County; Ada, wife of Albert F. Panli of 
Sonoma; and Grace. 



fUGENE H. LIGHT was born in Elkhart 
County, Indiana, June, 22, 1840. Hig 
-^ father, Emanuel Light, was a native of 
Virginia, and in early life located in Ohio, 
where he married Miss Harriet Prudent, a 
native of that State. In 1838 his parents moved 
to Indiana, and there his father engaged in 
farming, and also worked at his trade of a car- 
penter and builder. Mr. Light's mother died 
in 1842. His father then married Miss Emily 
Bentley, a native of New York. In 1853 his 
father and family crossed the plains with ox 
teams, to California, and located in Monterey 
County, where he engaged in farming and 
stock-raising until 1856. In that year he came 
to Sonoma County, and took up his residence in 



Santa Rosa. Here he purciiased twelve acres of 
land — wliat is now known as Kroucke's Park — 
which he planted with fruit trees, and, in 1859, 
he purchased 100 acres just east of the town of 
Santa Rosa. The subject of this sketch was a 
member of his father's family during these vari- 
ous moves. He was reared as a farmer and 
fruit grower, and, after his arrival in this 
county, received the advantages of schoolino- in 
the public schools, and also later was in attend- 
ance at Professor Scott's academy in Santa 
Rosa. His father sold off his 100 acre tract, 
forty acres to G. W. Davis, twenty acres to 
George Hood, and twelve acres to Mr. Brad- 
shaw. Mr. Light purchased the rest, which he 
sold in 1866 to G. W. Davis. In 1866 tie accom- 
panied his father (who had sold his twelve acre 
homestead to William Hinton), to Dry Creek, 
above Healdsburg, and for the next two years 
was engaged in farming upon the Bennett place, 
which he and his father had rented. His father 
then moved to Tulare County, and Mr. Light 
returned to Santa Rosa and rented 140 acres of 
G. W. Davis. After harvesting one crop of 
grain from this land he purchased, in 1869, 108 
acres from William Cooper, on the Petaluma 
road, five miles south of Santa Rosa. He there 
engaged in general farming until 1873, when 
hesold out to H. Moore, and, returning to Santa 
Rosa, he again rented and tilled the farm of Mr. 
Davis for about two years. He also purchased 
a town lot of one acre, upon which he took up 
his residence. After ceasing his farm occupa- 
tions he engaged in teaming and contracting in 
Santa Rosa until 1882. In that year he sold 
his town property and purchased eighteen acres 
of improved land one mile and a half east of 
Santa Rosa. Since that time Mr. Light has 
devoted his attention to the improvement and 
cultivation of this land. Mountain A^iew Farm 
— as he appropriately names it — under his 
energetic and intelligent labors, is destined to 
become one of the most beautiful and produc- 
tive orchards in his section. There are now six 
acres in orchard, producing French prunes, 
pears, apples, peaches, apricots, figs, walnuts. 



HTSTOnr OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



etc. There is also a small vineyard, yielding a 
large variety of the most approved table grapes. 
Bisidsi thd fruit already mentioned, a great 
variety of berries are also cultivated. These 
lands are well watered, there being several never- 
failing springs upon the place. Mr. Light has 
availed himself of this, and devoted a consider- 
able portion of his land to the cultivation of 
vegetables, which find a re idy and remuner- 
ativd market in Smta liosa. A neat and sub- 
stantial cottage and suitable out-buildings are 
among his improvements. Mr. Light has from 
early boyhood been identified with Sonoma 
County. He is a well known and respected 
citizen, progressive in his views, and ready to 
aid in any movement tending to advance tlie 
interests and welfare of the community in which 
he resides. He is a consistent memlier of the 
Christian church. In pjlitical inatters he is a 
strong Republican. In 1870 Mr. Light was 
united in marriage with Miss Nannie Robinson. 
No children have blessed this union. Mrs. 
Light is the d uighter of John W. and Sarah 
(Whitton) Robinson, who came to California iu 
1849, and resided in Napa County until 1865, 
when they t)ok up their residence in Sonoma 
County. Mr. Light's parents are n jw residents 
of Shasta County. 



^'T^ ^- SINK is president of the Cloverdale 
' i/V' Wine Company, which has an exten- 
l-=©/ri^* sive plant iu Cloverdale, near the 
depot of the San Francisco & North Pacific Rail- 
road. The winery was established in 1878 by 
I. DeTurk, whom the present owner succeeded. 
The building is of brick, 100 feet square, and is 
two stories in height. The possible storage 
capacity is 300,000 gallons, and about 70,000 
gallons of wine are made per annum, the most 
improved machinery being used. They usually 
keep over from 25,000 to 30,000 gallons. The 
officers of the Cloverdale Wine Company are as 
follows: W. D. Sink, president; J. G. Ileald, 
secretary; and William Caldwell, trea.«urer. 



Their wines have a high reputation, and com- 
mand a ready market. W. D. Sink, the presi- 
dent, is a native of Piiiladelphia, born May 2, 
1841, his parents being Daniel at)d Phelje 
(Hodges) Sink, the former a native of Massa- 
chusetts, and the latter of Philadelphia. When 
the subject of this sketch was two years old his 
parents removed to Rome, New York. In 1849, 
the father came out to California, via Cape 
Horn, on the ship George Washimjtoii, and was 
followed by his wife in 1851. In 1853 W. D. 
Sink came out, also via Panama, landing at 
San Francisco February 16, from the steamer 
Sierra Nevada, and at Stockton joined his 
father, who was in business there. A short 
time afterward they went to the mines at Em- 
pire Gulch, in Calaveras County, and were there 
and at Reynolds' P'erry until 1859, when they 
came to Cloverdale. Here the father started 
the first stage line out of Cloverdale, running to 
Ukiah, and W. D. Sink had charge of the stable 
at the [Jkiah end of the line. After two years 
he went to ranching near Cloverdale, and his 
father also has a ranch near by. Mr. Sink was 
married in this county, in 1865, to Miss Mary 
Etta Cooley, a native of Marietta, Ohio. They 
have five children, viz.: Carrie, Walter, Fred, 
Pert and Addie. Mr. Sink is a member of the 
order of Chosen Friends, 1. O. O. F., and of the 
A. O. U. W. Politically he is a Republican, a 
member of the county central committee, and 
and has been a delegate to the State and county 
conventions of his party. He is an active, 
enterprising man, and takes an interest in 
everything tending to the advancement of the 
interests of Cloverdale and Sonoma County. 
His ranch, containing 600 acres, is situated one 
raile north of Cloverdale, on the old Ukiah ro id. 
When he settled on it in 1861 it was all timber 
land, with no improvements, but has undergone 
a wonderful transformation since that time. 
He has now twent}' acres in fruit, ranging in age 
from five to twenty years, only about one acre 
of the latter age, but all in bearing. The trees 
are peaches, plums, pears, apricots, cherries, 
etc. He has fifty acres in vineyard, from three 



Ul-<Tony OF SuyoMA COCATY. 



to fifteen years old, about tive acres being of the 
older vines. They are Missions, Zinfandel, Feher 
Szacfos, Muscat and Black Hamburg. The re- 
mainder of the place is devoted to general 
fanning. 

^e^, ^^•'^^~ ■ , ^ 

tlI.\KLES KNUST is proprietor of the 
Sulphur Creek Vineyard and AVinery, 
,^ situated at the head of Cloverdale district 
Russian River Valley, one mile from Clover- 
dale. The ranch contains 215 acres of land, of 
which thirty-four acres are in vineyard, two in 
orchard, sixteen in grain, and sixty in bench 
land, partly cleared, wliich will be set out in 
prunes and olives, with probably some peaches. 
The vineyard ranges in age from five to fifteen 
years, the vines being principally Zinfandel, 
Burgundy, Chasselas, Tenturier, Kose of Peru, 
Black Hamburg, Black Malvoise, Black Prince, 
Tokay, Black Morocco, Muscat of Alexandria, 
Mission, and small amounts of many other 
choice varieties. The storage capacity of his 
winery is 10,000 gallons, and the entire cooper- 
age is 12,000 gallons. He makes up only his 
own grapes. He has been making San Francisco 
the market for his wines, and gets the very high- 
est prices. His orchard consists of prunes and 
peaches principally, also some figs, oranges, 
cherries, etc. Mi'. Knust is a native of Han- 
over, born January 31, 1837, his parents being 
Christopher and Dorothea (Wissel) Knust. He 
attended public school from the age of six to 
fourteen years. At the age of fifteen he went 
to Hamburg, where he attended private school 
and took English lessons. He traveled through 
various Rhenish provinces, where he had many 
relatives, and there became familiar with the 
wine business. In May, 1850, he sailed from 
Hamburg on the sailing vessel Horizon, and 
with only one stop, at Valparaiso, arrived at 
San Francisco in December, 1856. He re- 
naaiued there over two years, turning his atten- 
tion to anything he found to do. He went to 
the mines at Downieville, Sierra County, and 



engaged in mining there, but afterward was 
employed in the quartz mills of Mr. Reese at 
Sierra Buttes, where he was engaged for over 
three years. He then bought a ranch on the 
bank of Truckee River, at O'Neill Station, and 
named the place the '-Truckee House," and 
when the railroad passed through, he went to 
Reno, Nevada, and engaged in the mercantile 
business. P^rom 1870 to 1882 he was one of 
the largest merchants in Reno. He came to 
Sonoma Count}- in 1882, and located where he 
now resides. While a resident of Reno, he 
was married in Ukiah to Miss Sarah Bartlett, a 
native of Missouri. They have five children, 
viz.: Lillian, wife of Judge Hastings, one of 
the leading men of California; August E., who 
is in charge of the Hastings wine cellar in 
Lake County, where he has been very successful 
in wine-making; Edwin, who is with theClover- 
ilale Banking and Commercial Company; and 
James and William. Air. Knust is a member 
of the A. F. & A. M. at Cloverdale. He took 
his blue lodge and chapter degrees at Downie- 
ville. For five years he was master of the Reno 
Lodge, and high priest of the chapter at Reno 
three years. He was made a Knight Templar 
in De Witt Clinton Commandery, Virginia 
City, and now belongs to Santa Rosa Com- 
mandery. 



fOHN H. OVERTON was born in Lex- 
ington, La Fayette County, Missouri, March 
2, 1833. His parents, John W. and Mary 
(Tetherow) Overton, were natives of North 
Carolina, the latter of German descent. The 
Overton family were of Scotch descent, repre- 
sentatives of the family first coming to this 
country during the reign of Charles II., of 
England. The Overtons were in sympathy with 
the Cromwell movement, and when Charles was 
restored to the throne, they had to leave England, 
and emigrated to America, settling in Virginia. 
John Overton, grandfather of the subject of 
this sketch, was a soldier in the Revolutionary 



UISTOHY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



war. After he was discharged, in 1784, he 
moved from Virginia to North Carolina, a!id 
from tliere to Tennessee in 1807. Tliere were 
several members of the family who moved to 
Tennessee, and Overton County of that State 
was named for some of them. In 1829 the 
family moved to Illinois, near Vandalia, and in 
1831 to Missonri, where tho old gentleman 
died in 1833. In 1848 John W. Overton and 
his family moved to Dallas County, Texas, where 
he remained until April, 1853. At this time 
the family, consist! ngot Mr. Overton, his wife and 
si.x children — five sons and one daughter — 
crossed the plains to California, coming from 
San Diego by steamer to San Francisco. They 
went to Stockton, wh^re they resided five years, 
and then moved to Vallieita, Calaveras County. 
In the winter of 1863 he moved to Sonoma 
County, where he died in Auguct, 1875. His 
wife is still living in the county. John H. 
Overton spent ten years in the middle and 
southern mines of California and in the mines 
of Arizona and Mexico. In 1864 he came to 
this county and has since resided here. Octo- 
ber 14, 1865, he moved onto his present place 
in Vallejo Townsliip, consisting 290 acres, de- 
voted principally to dairying and stock-raising. 
Mr. Overton was married in 1876 to Sarah 
Beeson, a native of England. They have four 
children: Mary A., William R., Arthur E., 
and John A. 

§E HAY BROTHERS, vineyardists and 
proprietors of the Icaria winery, are 
•^r located soutli of Cloverdale. Living on 
separate places they have a winery on each 
ranch, the total storage capacity being 40,000 
gallons. Their land is well adapted to the 
culture of the grape, and the wine manufactured 
by them enjoys a high reputation and com- 
mands the most advanced prices. Their land 
is a portion of what was formerly the 
property of the Icarian Colony. A. De Hay, 
senior member of the firm, purchased the pro])- 



erty from the Bank of California for the colony 
in 1881, and in 1886 it was divided up. On his 
place he has 110 acres, of which twenty-five 
acres are planted to the following varieties of 
wine grapes: Gray Riesling, Sauvignon Vert, 
Carignane, Mataro, MalbecandZinfandel. These 
vines range in age from three to seven years. 
In the spring of 1889 he added ten acres more 
of vineyard, the varieties being Sauvignon Vret 
and Pinot Blanc. A. De Hay is a native of 
France, born June 16, 1842, his parents being 
Pierre Antoinne and Louise (Fagnez) De Hay. 
His paternal grandfather was a soldier of the 
great Napoleon. On his mother's side his re- 
mote ancestry is traced back to Spain. Mr. De 
Hay spent his early life at his native place, and 
there received his schooling. When in his 
fourteenth year he went to Aras, and there 
learned the trade of barber. Pie afterward 
traveled all through France and was four years 
in Paris. One summer he spent in the Pyre- 
nees Mountains, at a famous resort, and the fol- 
lowing winter he spent at Saragossa, Spain. He 
then returned home and entered the army for 
the short term, returning home subject to call 
after six months' drill. In 1864 he went to 
London, and two years later took passage on the 
ship Hudson for New York, where he landed 
August 3, 1866. A few days later he went to 
Philadelphia with a young English friend, and 
for three or four months following was engaged 
on a farm seven miles from Westchester, among 
the Quakers. About Christmas he went to 
Washington, and was engaged at his trade that 
winter at the National Hotel. Thence he went 
to Chicago, and a few months later to Atchison, 
Kansas, and from there to Topeka. He then 
went to a French settlement in the same State, 
and embarked in the general mercantile business. 
A year later he sold out and went to Wamego, 
where he conducted a barber shop for about two 
years. He next went to Adams County, and 
bought a barber shop in Corning. After three 
or four years there the colony of which he was 
a member dissolved, and he with relatives, came 
to California, locating for a short time at St. 



716 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



Helena. He boiiglit an interest in a barber 
shop, and then set about seeking a location for 
a colony of his friends, finally picking out the 
locality where he now resides. He was married 
in Kansas to Miss Maria Laroux.a native of the 
Island of Jersey.' Her father, a prominent man, 
having been a member of the Republican Con- 
gress of France, was exiled by Napoleon III. 
He died in Sonoma County, where he was pub- 
lishing a French paper, in 1885. His brother 
Pierre was a great philosopher. Mr. and Mrs. 
De Hay have t^ix children living, viz.: Paul, 
Emil, Alice, Henrietta, Louise and Armand. 
One child, Marie, is deceased. 



APvTLEY CAPtY was born in Crawford 
M County, Ohio, May 15, 1829. His parents 
"^^ were Quakers and were both natives of 
Pennsylvania. Able Cary, his father, was 
born under the shade of the Alleghany Moun- 
tains. By his lirst marriage there were seven 
children, and after the death of his wife he was 
married again to Susanna Quaintance, by whom 
he had fonr children. Mr. Cary was among the 
first settlers of Bucyrus, Ohio, where he lived 
until 1840. when he moved to Steuben County, 
Indiana, and died there in 1855 or 1856. Bart- 
ley Cary is a son by his father's last marriage. 
AVhen he was cpite young he was bound out to 
his cousin, Aaron Cary, for a period of seven 
years. He was to learn a trade and go to school 
three years of the time, but so far as the school- 
ing was concerned he received very little, and 
was put to work in a tannery, where the most 
of the time he was grinding bark. A.fter being 
thus employed for about four years, he became 
tired of his lot, and leaving his cousin, he went 
to Indiana, where his father was then residing. 
For a part of a year he worked in a tannery 
there. He then went into the pineries of Wis- 
consin, and engaged in logging on the Chippewa 
River, and in rafting on the Mississippi as far 
as St. Louis, making two trips to that place, 
one in 18-48 and the other the next year. He 



then returned to Angola, Indiana, and entered 
a cabinet shop, where he remained one 3'ear, 
after which he went over the State line to Hills- 
dale, Michigan, and hired out as a journeyman 
to a man named Peck, who carried on the 
cabinet business at that place. In 1852 Mr. 
Cary started overland for the Pacific coast, 
leaving Angola on the 9th of May, and on the 
27th of August following, landed in Gold Caii- 
on, Nevada, where the city of Dayton now 
stands. There he spent the winter with some 
forty miners and the next spring went to Placer- 
ville in this State. He engaged in the mines 
there until 1854, when he returned to Nevada 
and located in the Carson Valley. He, in con- 
nection with his nephew, Edwin Cary, bouglit 
and took up land, where they carried on busi- 
ness together for live years. They opened a 
store in the valley, within two miles of where 
Sheridan now stands, and right under the 
mountain Toncodilum, which towers upward a 
distance of 5,075 feet, and there conducted a 
business, trading with the emigrants on their way 
to California.. Their goods were packed over 
tlie mountains from Placerville. Some rough 
and exciting events took place, one in particular 
which stands as a jnatter of history in that 
locality, and that is the hanging of a man known 
as Lucky Bill. He was a noted and dangerous 
character, who at that time had a ranch about a 
mile from where Mr. Cary's was, and he was 
also engaged in trading and dealing in stock. 
For a crime in which he became implicated he 
was hanged by a vigilance party of about fifty 
men, on a flat near Clear Creek. At the time 
of leaving that neighborhood, Mr. Cary sold his 
interest to his nephew, went over on Carson 
River and touk up a piece of land where he re- 
mained until the fall of 1861. In that year he 
returned to the East, and on the 4th of February, 
1862, was married in Angola, Indiana, to Maria 
Bigler, a native of Richland County, Ohio. 
The following March he, with his wife, again 
crossed the plains, arriving in Carson Valley 
August 4. They remained on the I'anch, on 
Carson River, wliere Mr. Cary was engaged in 



IIISTOUY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



stock-raising until November, 1867, wlien he 
again went East, this time via the Nicaragua 
route. They then made their residence in Indi- 
ana for over three years, during which time the 
rancli in Nevada was rented, until sold for them 
by Mr. Gary's brother. In 1870 Mr. Gary 
returned to the coast and bought of his nephew 
the original place where he first settled in Gar- 
son Valley, and remained in that locality until 
1881. The last two years of his residence there 
lie rented the ranch and lived in Garson Gity. 
From there, after selling his ranch in October, 
he moved to Santa Glara Gounty, Galifornia, 
and for nearly a year kept a livery stable in San 
Jose, and on the 13th of July, 1882, came to 
this county' and bought his present place in 
\''allejo Township, two miles from Petaluina. 
The ranch contains fifty acres, and is devoted to 
general farming. It can be credited to Mr. 
Gary that he has made seven trips across the 
plains. He has been a Mason since 1868, and 
now belongs to Arcturus Lodge, No. 180, of 
Petaluma. Mr. and Mrs. Gary have had three 
chidren: Hattie Mabel, born in Angola, Indi- 
ana, May 5, 1864, and died January 25, 1867; 
Ed and Fred, as they are commonly called, are 
twins, and were born in AYaterloo, DeKalb 
Gounty, Indiana, May 25, 1868. 

^-^^--^^ 

«HARLES GEARING, of Mendocino Town- 
ship, is a native of Prussia, born Janiiary 
31, 1826, and a son of Ghrist and Eliza 
Gearing. His father was a dealer in stock, 
hides, tallow, etc. Gharles was reared in his 
native country, and between the ages of five and 
fourteen years he attended school, after that 
accompanying his father in his business. In 
1846 he went to Bremen, and there took pas- 
sage on the sailship Capdar (Gaptain Krndop), 
bound for Baltimore, which ])ort he reached 
after a voyage of forty-si.K days. He remained 
in the vicinity of Baltimore fur a time, then 
went successively to Philadelphia, New York, 
and Boston. At the latter city hi^ remained 



quite awhile, then went to Baltimore again. 
From there he'journeyedby stage to Gumberland, 
Maryland, and from there to Wheeling, West 
Virginia. He was for some time employed 
thei'e on the construction of the suspension 
bridge, and afterward in farming iti that vicinity. 
From there he went to St. Louis, where he re- 
mained until 1852. In that year he went to 
New Orleans, and in company with others, 
chartered a steamer for Ghagras. Instead, how- 
ever, they were landed at Aspinwall. From 
there he went afoot across the Isthmus. He 
remained in Panama about si.x weeks, campinc. 
A large party, including Mr. Gearing, took pas- 
sage in an old sailing vessel bound for San 
Francisco. The vessel was quite unmanaofeable, 
and the voyage became a tedious one. When 
1,500 miles from port they found the water was 
giving out, and all hands were placed on an 
allowance of one pint a day. They headed for 
land, and reaching a Mexican port, took in a 
fresh supply of water and started anew. They 
lost their bearings and put into the Sandwich 
Islands. By paying a large price, fifty of the 
passengers were enabled to take passage on a 
schooner for San Francisco. As Mr. Gearin* 
had but .$2.50 left he was compelled to stay by 
his ship. Finally they got a good start, and 
sailed through the Golden Gate twelve days be- 
fore the schooner arrived. The boat, which was 
the Sacramento, Captain Henry commanding, 
was condemned as soon as it reached San Fran- 
cisco. They had been at sea 143 days in a tide 
which was liable to have gone to the bottom at any 
time. After a time Mr. Gearing went to the 
mines of the North Fork of the American 
River, near Auburn. After remaining there 
five or six months and getting a splinter of 
rock in his eye, he was compelled to go to Sac- 
I'amento where he could be doctored. From 
there he went to a point below Thompson's 
Flat, near Ghico, wliere he again followed min- 
ing for one winter. He then engaged in farm- 
ing on a ranch fourteen miles from Sacramento, 
for another man, and after a couple of years 
was compelled to take the ])hu',o for his pav. 



■(18 



UIsrORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



He farmed there several years, and also burned 
charcoal. In 1857 he went to Oregon, and in 
the following year returned to California and 
located in the vicinity of Fort Ross, Sonoma 
County, where he dealt in cattle. In 1862 he 
sold his cattle, on account of the severe win- 
ter, and disposing also of a fruit store which 
he had in Petahuna, he went to Truckee, Ne- 
vada County, and there followed gardening. 
He then returned to Sonoma County, and re- 
mained with friends in Blucher Valley for a 
time. Mr. Gearing was married in San Fran- 
cisco to Miss Jessie McKay, a native of Nova 
Scotia, and soon after engaged in farming in 
Crane Valley, Sonoma County. One year later 
he opened a butcher shop in Sebastopol. In 
1872 he came to Healdsburg and opened a meat 
market here. Four years later Mr. Miller (of 
Miller ct De Lano) became his partner, this 
partnership continuing three years. His health 
would not allow him to continue in the business, 
and he has since resided at his present home, 
convenient to Markwell's slaughter-house, which 
he is conducting. Mr. and Mrs. Gearing are 
rearing a child, Maggie Powell, daughter of 
Mrs. Gearing's sisten Politically Mr. Gearing 
is a Republican. 



fULIUS ORT, one of the leading agricult- 
urists and stock-growers of Santa Rosa 
Township, has a beautiful home on his 
splendid ranch, two and one-half miles south of 
Santa Rosa, on the road leading to Petaluma. 
Mr. Orthas been identified with SonomaCounty 
since 1861, and a resident upon the property he 
now owns and occupies since 1866. His estate in- 
cludes about 250 acres of land in the foot-hills, a 
large portion of which is especially adapted to fruit 
and vine growing, and all or nearly all adapted 
to cultivation. One hundred and fifty acres of 
this property are of the choicest valley land. 
The whole was in a state of nature when Mr. 
Ort became the owner. The modest residence 
occupied as the family home up to 1883 was in 



that year abandoned, and the family now occupj' 
one of the finest rural homes in the Santa Rosa 
Valley, costing about 87,000. From the bills 
one-half mile away pure water for all purposes 
is brought. Nothing conducive to comfort and 
convenience seems to be overlooked in the con- 
struction of the home. The beautiful sur- 
roundings and other building improvements all 
combine to make the property noticeable and 
very attractive. A brief review of the former 
life of the subject of this sketch gives tlie 
following facts. Mr. Ort was born in the 
Electorate of Hesse Cassel, Germany, son of 
Herman and Martha Julia Ort, July 29, 1827. 
In his 3'outhful days he received a good German 
education, attending the high school at Ham- 
burg. Reaching his seventeenth 3'ear, and be- 
ing possessed of a spirit of adventure and anx- 
ious to commence life for himself, he resolved 
upon emigrating to America, a land giving 
more freedom to an ambitious youth. Anxious 
to make his way in the world, in September, 
1844, he landed in New Orleans, after a voyage 
of fifty days. In that city he found employ- 
ment and there learned the language of our 
country, remaining in that place until the dis- 
covery of gold in California. Almost with the 
first whirl of outward emigration he started for 
the new El Dorado. After a voyage of 250 
days around Cape Horn, he landed in San Fran- 
cisco in June, 1849. On the North Fork of the 
American River and at other points, with pan 
and rocker and crevice knife, etc., he spent 
eighteen months, industry and prudence en- 
abling him to save $4,000. He then became 
the owner of 640 acres of land in the Sacra- 
mento Valley in Colusa County. There he en- 
gaged in general farming and stock-raising, and 
there, April 2, 1855, he married Miss Virginia 
Josephine Rollias, a daughter of Lloyd Rollins, 
a pioneer of southern Iowa. She was bora in 
that State (then a Territory) June 14, 1834. 
"With her father she left her native State in 
1849, went to Oregon, and thence came to 
Colusa County in 1852. Her parents are now 
deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Ort have four children. 




&. W 'Ma/,, 



'^6^. 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



two sons and two daughters. Clara, the eldest, 
is aow the wife of Rufns A. Temple, of Santa 
Kosa; Kosa H. as yet remains at the home of 
her parents; Otto V. is a business man of Santa 
Cruz; and the youngest, Julius E., is with his 
parents. Mr. Ort is a member of the Santa 
Rosa Grange, No. 17, P. of U. Politically he 
is identified with the Democratic party. lie is 
one of the stock-holders and a director of the 
Santa Rosa Savings Bank. His sterling worth 
and strict integrity are the leading qualities 
which have won for him the respect and esteem 
of all who know him. 



f LIVER PERRY POULSO-N, of Russian 
River Township, is an old settler of Cali- 
fornia. He is a native of Loudoun County, 
'^'^irginia, born December 17, 1821, his parents 
being John and Hannah (Buflington) Poulson. 
When he was but four years of age his parents 
removed to Holmes County, Ohio, locating near 
Millersburg, in which vicinity they were early 
settlers. There Oliver Perry Poulson was reared 
to manhood. In 1841, in company with a 
brother-in-law, William Davenport, he removed 
by team to Henderson County, Illinois. There 
he resided until 1846, when, together with some 
acquaintances, he decided to try his fortunes on 
the Pacific coast, which was then attracting 
considerable attention among those seeking 
homes in tlie far AVest. When eight wagons 
were gathered together, the part}' set out on 
their long journey. They left home about the 
middle of April, and when they crossed the 
Missouri River at St. Joe the cavalcade had 
been augmented until there were over forty 
wagons. The year 1846 is a memorable one in 
the annals of travel across the plains, on account 
of the many perils that beset the path of the 
liardy people who attempted the journey. For 
a considerable time during the trip Mr. Poul- 
son was in the train commanded by Captain 
Donner, but luckily he was one of those who, 
chafing at the slow progress made, decided to 



increase the speed, and thus he became a mem- 
ber of one of those small parties which branched 
off from the main train, and crossed the moun- 
tains before winter set in, thus escaping their 
share of tlie terrible experiences of the ill-fated 
" Donner party," as it is known to history. It 
had been the intention of most of the emigrants 
to locate in Oregon, but after leaving Donner's 
train they were met by a man acquainted with 
the northern route, who told them of the almost 
certain danger that awaited them if they under- 
took to carry out their original intention, and 
all the wagons bound for Oregon were, there- 
fore, turned toward California. Mr. Poulson's 
party found their provisions running short to- 
ward the close of the journey, and the members 
were placed under the restraint of stipulated 
rations. His own wagon had been well sup- 
plied, but some of the others on account of 
prodigality in the use of their supplies, or 
owing to undue preparation, became destitute, 
and those well equijaped generously divided 
with their less fortunate neighbors. Money 
was not scarce, however, and it was supposed 
that when they reached Johnson's ranch they 
could obtain provisions, including flour, as it 
was known that a mill was among Johnson's 
possessions. In many respects they were 
doomed to disappointment, however, as scarcely 
anything eatable was to be had there, and the 
nearest approach to flour to be obtained was a 
little bran. An exchange of two horses for a 
cow was afl'ected, and when this was slaughtered, 
a pudding of the meat and some of the bran 
was made. This pudding did not turn out to 
be a success, and was, to say the least, unpalat- 
able. They were enabled, however, to push on 
to Sutter's Fort, where, for the first time in 
many days, they ate good, nourishing food. 
Though their experiences in this regard were 
alone suflicient to make their journey memora- 
ble to them during life, these liad not been their 
only troubles. Several times during their trip 
across the plains their stock had been stampeded 
by Indians, and in one attack they lost a man 
killed, while others were severely wounded. 



HItiToRY OF mNOMA COUNTY. 



From Slitter's Fort Mr. Poulson went witli Fre- 
mont's battalion on the expedition to southern 
California, bringing up at Los Angeles on IS'ew 
Year's day, 1847. He took part in all the ex- 
periences of that patriotic band, and in May 
started on the return trip in a small party, with 
Major Bidwell. He next went up on the Ameri- 
can River, onto what is now known as the Nor- 
ris (now Sinclair) ranch. He -was engaged by 
Captain Sutter to get out a lot of timber and 
sliingles, going into the mountains for that pur- 
pose. He and a man named James Anderson 
afterward broke forty-one mustangs to harness 
for Captain Sutter. In the spring of 1848 he 
came down to the town of Sonoma, and there 
engaged at the carpenter's trade, doing a good 
deal of work for Greneral Vallejo. In company 
with John Stark he operated a saw-mill at So- 
noma, turning out a great deal of hunber. 
When gold was discovered at Coloma, he de- 
cided to go there, and two months later was on 
the scene and at work. He remained there till 
fall, and then returned to Sonoma with nearly 
$2,600, his season's profits. In the following 
spring he went back to the mines. He worked 
there that season, then removed to Napa County, 
lucatiniT four miles above St. Helena. There 
his family resided until 1868, Mr. Poulson 
himself being in the meantime engaged in 
mining on Mokelumne River, about five miles 
from Mokelumne Hill, also in trading in stock, 
etc. In 1868 he removed to the lower part of 
Lake County, near Middletown, and there en- 
gaged in farming and stock-raising. He still 
retains 250 acres of the 1,250 acres which 
comprised his Lake County farm. In Novem- 
ber, 1887, he purchased twenty acres of land in 
Russian River Township, Sonoma County, near 
Healdsburg, and soon after moved to it. Nearly 
eleven acres are planted to fruit, mostly prunes, 
plums, peaches and pears, and all are in bear- 
ing. The place is a valuable one, and makes an 
attractive home. Mr. Poulson was married at 
Sonoma by Governor Boggs, February 28, 
1847, to Miss Harriet Ritchey, a native of Lit- 
tle York, Mercer County, Illinois, and daughter 



of M. D. and Caroline Ritchey. Her parents 
came to California in 1846. Both died at Napa 
City. Her father was a prominent man, and 
was known as Colmel Ritchey. Mr. and Mrs. 
Poulson have had twelve children, viz.: John, 
resides in Lincoln County, Washington Terri- 
tory; Caroline, wife of Samuel Shilling, resides 
in Santa Barbara County; Mary, wife of Horace 
Schwartz, lives at Santa Anna; Cj'nthia, wife of 
Robert Quigley, who resides in Lake County; 
Emily, died in Napa County, aged three years; 
Angeline, wife of John Nelson, resides in Lake 
County; Amanda, wife of Charles Armsti'ong, 
a druggist of Calistoga; Lizzie, wife of William 
Foster, agent of the Southern Pacitic Railroad 
at Los Angeles; Addie, at home; Nettie, wife 
of Nias Decker, of Healdsburg; Willie and 
Mattie, at home. Mr. Poulson is a Republican 
politically. He is a member of the Seventh 
Day Adventist church. He can justly lay 
claim to being a pioneer of California, having 
been one of those who preceded the Argonauts 
of '49, and made the way for them compara- 
tively easy. He was a resident of Sonoma 
County when most of it was an almost unknown 
and unbroken wilderness, while his contempo- 
raries in the county at that time, who are still 
here, can be counted on the lingers of one hand. 



T^TILLIAM AMESBERRY, of Mendocino 
ill/.'All Township, has a ranch of over thirty 

i-^jifci acres, convenient to Healdsburg, which 
he purchased in 1884. Nearly twenty-eight 
acres of the place is in fruit, only a small por- 
tion of which had been planted 'before the pre- 
sent owner took possession. Most of the trees, 
which are in splendid condition, were set out in 
1885. The trees are principally French prunes, 
with some plums, peaches and apples. Large 
quantities of pumpkins, potatoes, etc., are 
raised on the place. Mr. William Amesberry, 
the proprietor, is a native of England, born in 
Somersetshire in 1840. When but a child he 
accompanied his parents to America, and was 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNT r. 



reared to manhood in Onondaga County, New 
York. In 1858 he started for Washington Ter- 
ritory, and, in company with two ccunpanions, 
made that perilous trip by way of Britisli 
America. Those wlio have made that journey 
in winter by the Canadian Pacific Kailroad can 
possibly' appreciate the hardships of tliose men 
who traveled all winter over that route thirty 
years ago. They were nearly eleven months on 
the journey, and at one time were nearly nine 
days without food, and their hunger was only 
allayed by linding a few red haws. Almost by 
a miracle they reached their destination on 
Frazer River, over the mines of which location 
there was then great excitement. There Mr. 
Amesberry followed mining for some time, and 
was thus employed in Idaho and Washington 
Territory until 1867, when he removed to Lake 
County, California. Since that time he has been 
engaged in blacksmithing, saw milling and 
mining until coming to Sonoma County in 1882. 
Two years later he located where he now re- 
sides. He was married in this State to Miss 
Mary Hanna, a native of the East, who came to 
California when a child. They have six chil- 
dren, viz.: Milton, Annie, George, William, 
Ehhel and Karel. Mr. Amesl)erry is a Demo- 
crat, and takes an active part in politics. He is 
a member of Healdsburg Lodge, K. of P. 



im p. PASSALAQUx\, of Healdsburg, is a 
I pi native of Italy, born about twelve miles 
*^* from Genoa, March 12, 1845, his parents 
being Lorenzo and Rose (Roccatelliata) Passa- 
laqiia, the father a farmer. The subject of this 
sketch was reared to the age of nineteen years 
at Iiis native place, assisting his father on the 
farm. February 2, 1865, he sailed from Genoa 
for New York, which port he reached April 
23. Twenty-two days later he sailed for Cali- 
fornia via Panama, arriving in San Francisco 
June 5. F(jr two months he followed fishing 
and then went into the mines in Calaveras 
County. One year later he returned to San 



Francisco and engaged in gardening. One year 
in this pursuit was followed by a similar period 
devoted to fishing. He then followed garden- 
ing for four years at Sacramento, after which he 
went to Stockton. A year and a half later he 
sold out and went to the vicinity of Vallejo, 
where he conducted a vegetable garden for six 
years. Lie then sold out and for the next six 
months was in business in San Francisco. He 
then came to Healdsburg, and has resided he>.e 
since that time with the exception of six years 
spent at Cloverdale. In 1882 he purchased 
about sixty acres of the best land in Sonoma 
County immediately adjoining Healdsburg, but 
he has sold off portions of it until now he has 
only nine acres, it being wonderfully productive. 
He raises all kinds of vegetables for which there 
is a demand in this market, and has a crop of 
something at every season of the year. From 
three-fourths of an acre of strawberries he picks 
1,000 to 1,200 baskets a week. He has a vari- 
ety of fruits, including apricots, blackberries and 
currants. He has an engine of six horse power 
for irrigating purposes, the water being drawn 
from a ten-inch bored well, 125 feet in depth. 
The pump has a capacity of drawing 20,000 gal- 
lons per hour. - Mr. Passalaqua also has a hand- 
some piece of residence property on one of the 
desirable streets of Healdsburg. He made his 
start since coming to California, and by indus- 
try and perseverance has placed himself on a 
solid financial footing. He has purchased a 
handsome properly in Italy, twelve miles from 
Genoa, where all kinds of tropical fruits are 
raised. Mr. Passalaqua was married at A''allejo 
to Miss Laura Lodjevello, a native of Italy. 
They have two children, viz. : Edward and Sylvia. 



--^€ 



ii^g*-^ 



fR. WILLIAMSON, one of the pioneers of 
California, was i)orn in Bedford (!ouiity, 
^ Virginia, April 8, 1830, being a descend- 
ant of an old Virginia family. His father, 
Jesse Williamson, early in life married Miss 
Frances Richardson, and when the subject of 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



this sketch was quite young they moved to Boone 
Connty, ilissourl, and later to Lawrence County, 
in the same State, where both himself and wife, 
after useful and honorable lives, died at an ad- 
vanced age. J. R. Williamson led tbe quiet 
life of a boy reared to farm life principally, 
until, seized by the gold fever, he joined an 
overland train fitted out with ox teams, and left 
the old home April 22, 1849, reaching Bidwell's 
Bar on Feather River, October 22. With fair 
success he engaged in mining, continuing in 
that occupation for eighteen months. He then 
went to Butte Mountains, near Marj'sville, and 
there engaged in genei'al farming and stock- 
raising until he came to this county in Septem- 
tember, 1853. Here, after farming one year, 
he entered into the livery business at Santa 
Rosa, which business he conducted until 1865, 
after which he was engaged in agricultural 
pursuits at Dry Creek, near Healdsburg, for 
four years. A few years after this he resumed 
a trade he had partly learned in his youth, that 
of blacksmithing, and worked at it in Healds- 
burg. In 1878 Mr. Williams established iiis 
present residence upon the well-known David- 
son Ranch, a little west of Santa Rosa. He 
recalls with vivid recollection and peculiar in- 
terest the excitement attendant upon the re- 
moving of the county's official records from the 
old town of Sonoma to Santa Rosa, when the 
county seat was changed to the latter place. 
Owing to the belief on the part of the Sonoma 
people that they had been unfairly treated, they 
were determined to at least exhaust all lecral 
process to prevent the carrying away of the 
records. Mr. Williamson, with his speediest 
team was employed, and to his individual effort 
much of the success of the removal, attended by 
no delay or opportunity to serve legal process, 
is due. May 22, 1856, Mr. Williaiuson married 
Miss Mary L. Davidson, daughter of J. E. 
Davidson, one of the pioneer agriculturists of 
Sonoma County, a biographical notice of whom 
appears in this work. Mrs. Williamson was 
born May 30, 1834. Mr. and Mrs. Williamson 
have had three children, onlv one of whom. 



Jesse C, is living. He is yet a school-boy. 
One daughter, Fannie A., died at the age of 
three years and nine months; and one, Laura 
B., died at the age of two years and two months. 
In politics, Mr. Williamson is identified with 
the Republican party. 



F. KILLAM. — The subject of this sketch 
was born in the western part of Canada, 
in the town of Chatham, April 16, 1851. 
Ilis parents, Jacob and Ruth (Corning) Killam, 
were both natives of Nova Scotia, from which 
place they moved into Canada where they made 
their home, with the exception of a short res- 
idence in Cleveland, Ohio, until the time of 
their death, the former in 1870 and the latter in 
1869. They reared a family of eight sons and 
three daughters. A. F. Killam spent his boy- 
hood days in Canada, where a part of his educa- 
tion was received. When he was thirteen years 
of age he began life for himself and has made 
his own wa}' in the world from that time on. 
While living in Canada he was apprenticed at 
the shoemaker's trade, at which he labored one 
year, when he came to Cleveland. In 1867 he 
entered the employ of W. P. Southward »fe Com- 
pany, which to-day is the largest wholesale and 
retail grocery house in that city. After remain- 
ing in his employ about a year Mr. Killam en- 
gaged with J. A. Barstow ct Company, cigar 
and tobacco dealers, with whom he remained 
four years, buying and selling for the house, and 
a part of the time traveling on the road. In 
1873 he came to California and settled in Peta- 
luma, engaging in the dairy business and start- 
ing a cheese factory just below the city at what 
was called Newton, it being the first cheese fac- 
tory put in operation on the Pacific coast. 
About a year later the factory was moved on the 
San Antonia Creek in Marin County. Mr. 
Killam associated other gentlemen with him in 
the business, which was carried on under the 
firm name of Payne, Killam & Co. The busi- 
ness was run on a large scale, manufacturing 



lllaTOHY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



725 



during the milking season about a ion of cheese 
a day from the milk of two thousand cows. After 
being thus engaged for about three years, Mr. 
Kiilain sold his interest in tlie business and 
started a city express in Petaluma, also receiv- 
ing tlie contract from the Government to carry 
the mail between the depot and pustoffice, wliich 
business he ran for two years. He then took 
the management of a grocery house lor Mitchell 
& Gleason, a Petaluma iirni, who started a 
branch business in San Francisco. Afti r serv- 
ing in this capacity for fourteen months, Mr. 
Killam not being able to endure the climate of 
San Francisco was compelled on account of his 
health to relinquish this position and return to 
Petaluma. In June, 1882, he entered into the 
grocery and fruit business in the Lodge building 
on Western avenue, where he remained for 
about three years, during which time betook in 
as a partner James Patterson under the firm 
name of Killam et Co., and moved the business 
into the Case building on the same street. This 
firm continued about a year and the location 
was again changed to the Mutual Relief build- 
ing. In April, 1886, Mr. Patterson's interest 
was sold to Daniel R. Stewart and the firm 
became Killam k, Stewart, which partnership 
continued until October 12, 1887, when Mr. 
Killam sold his interest to Mr. Stewart and 
on the 12th of November of the same year 
opened his present business in the Case Building 
on the corner of Kentucky Street and Webster 
avenue. lie carries a full assortment of gro- 
ceries and provisions and also handles a choice 
line of fruits and vegetables. Mr. Killam is a 
courteous gentleman of sterling business quali- 
ties and conducts his affairs on a basis that has 
placed him among the better class of business 
men. lie was married in Petaluma, April 22, 
1878, to Parmelia L., daughter of Ilu-rh Col- 
quhon, of Boston, Massachusetts, a veteran of 
the Union army, who enlisted in 1801, and fell 
in the first battle of Bull Rum. Mr. and Mrs. 
Killam have one son, Waiter, born January 31, 
1883. Mr. Killam became a member of the 
Washington Lodge, K. P., of Cleveland, Ohio, 



and was transferred from that lodge to the 
Petaluma Lodge, No. 100. He has been master 
of finance of this lodge for the last four years. 

l^^flLLIAM BRAUNERN, of Russian 
\ \\' liiver Township, is a native of Nassa- 
;=l,-~j oii-the-Rhine, Iwrn October 16, 1828, 
h'.s parents being Christian and Elizabeth 
(Zapa) Braunern, the father a shueniaker by 
trade. The subject of this sketch attended 
school from the age of si.\ to fourteen years, 
and in 1844 sailed from Hanover for America, 
landing at New Orleans, where he grew to 
manhood. He learned the shoemaker's trade in 
the Crescent City, and followed it there until 
1852, when he came to California via Panama, 
landing in San Francisco in May. He pro- 
ceeded to Yuba County, and after a time went 
to the Territories. He remained in Montana, 
Idaho and Nevada until 1878, when he returned 
to California, and located where he now resides, 
opposite Healdsburg, on Bailhache avenue. 
Mr. Braunern's ranch consists of nine and 
three fourths acres, of which five are devoted to 
hops, the yard having been planted in 1881. 
In this undertaking he has been very success- 
ful, harvesting on an average three and one-half 
tons. He has about four and one-half acres in 
fruit, the trees being mostly Coe's Golden Drop, 
Yellow Egg and Prince of Wales plums, and 
Gross prunes, with a few cherries and apples. 
This place is in excellent condition, and reflects 
credit on the proprietor. Mr. Braunern was 
married in this State, to Miss Kate Recher. 
They have one child — William. Politically Mr. 
Braunern is a Democrat. 



^I^ERHARD DIETZ, of Guernevillc, is a 
native of Frankfort-on-the-Main, born 
April 26, 1846. his parents being John 
George and Maria (Kirshten) Dietz. His father 
was in the government employ, a cashier in the 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



revenue service. Gerhard Dletz, the subject of 
this sketch, was reared and educated in his 
native city. The civil war in America had 
great interest for him, and lie decided to take 
lip arms in the Union cause. Being unable to 
gain the consent of his parents, he ran away 
from home in 1863, and came to America. He 
enlisted in the service of the United -States at 
Bridgeport, Connecticut, November 15, 1862, 
and proceeded to the front near Richmond, 
where he joined Company D of the Sixth Con- 
necticut Infantry, which was a part of the 
Second Brigade, First Division, Tenth Army 
Corps. After spending three months in front 
of Richmond, his command went with Sher- 
man's army. They marched with Sherman 
through North and South Carolina, and partici- 
pated at Morris Island, Fort "Wagner, Chester 
Station, Bermuda Hundred, Deep Run (Va.), 
and Fort Fisher. At the latter place Mr. Dietz 
was taken sick with ty[)hoid fever, and was sent 
to Hampton hospital, near Fortress Monroe. 
After two months he rejoined the command at 
Wijmington, North Carolina, and served until 
August, 1865, when he was discharged at New 
Haven, Connecticut. He- soon went to New 
1 ork, and two or three weeks later to Balti- 
more, where lie was engaged until 1869 at 
watch-making, the business he had commenced 
in Germany. In 1869 he went back to his 
native country, but after one year he returned 
to Baltimore. He remained there a little over 
a year, then went to Humboldt, Allen County, 
Kansas, where he was in business until 1875. 
In that year he came to California, and resided 
at Lakeport until May, 1879, when he came to 
Guerneville. In May, 1880, he became agent 
for Wells, Fargo & Co., and in June, 1880, he 
was appointed postmaster, holding the office 
until 1886. He is yet agent for the express 
company, and does an extensive business in I 
watch-making and jewelry. Mr. Dietz was 
married in Kansas, to Miss Bessie Bacon, a I 
native of Wisconsin. They have three children, [ 
viz.: Daisy, Edith and Warner. Mr. Dietz 
was one of the charter members of the Guerne- I 



ville Post, G. A. R., and has been adjutant 
since the organization. He also belongs to the 
A. F. & A. M., I. O. O. F., and K. of P. He 

has been treasurer of the Odd Fellows lodge for 
eight years. Politically he is a staunch Repub- 
lican. 



fRANK STEELE was born in Amherst, 
Lorain County, Ohio, August 11, 1848. 
His father, John B. Steele, was a native of 
Delaware, and a farmer by occupation. When 
ten years of age the death of his father left him 
an orphan (his mother having died when he was 
but two years old), and shortly after he became 
an inmate of the family of his uncle, Smith 
Steele. He was reared to farm life, receiving a 
fair schooling until sixteen years of age, when 
he commenced work in a blacksmith shop. Not 
suited with this occupation, after a six months' 
trial, he returned to farming and was employed 
by Mrs. Mary Ernst to take charge of her farm. 
He conducted that farm until 1868. In that 
year he came by steamer route to California, 
arriving in San Francisco in November. Soun 
after his arrival in the Golden State, Mr. Steele 
went to San Mateo County, where he was era- 
ployed upon the dairy farm of I. C. Steele until 
1870. The next two years he spent in San Luis 
Obispo County, and in 1872 returned to San 
Mateo County and rented the dairy farm of R. 
E. Steele. This large farm of 2,000 acres, with 
a daily of 200 cows, was conducted by him for 
many years. His energetic and intelligent 
management secured his success, and in 1878 
he purchased 1,370 acres of land in San Mateo 
County, and commenced stocking it. He en- 
gaged in the daily business and stock-raising 
tmtil 1884, when he took up his present resi- 
dence in Sonoma County. He is the owner of 
ninety-four acres of choice land in the Lewis 
school district, one and a half miles north of 
Santa Rosa, upon which he resides. With the 
exception of a family orchard and vineyard, his 
land is devoted to hay and grain. He has made 



HIHTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



many improvements upon this farm, among the 
most prominent of which is a beautiful and 
well ordered two-stury residence, which is sur- 
rounded by fine lawns and shade trees, making 
one uf the most pleasant homes in the district. 
Mr. Steele still owns his ranch in San Mateo 
County, which he is devoting to stock-growing. 
Mr. Steele is an enterprising and progressive 
citizen, and a desirable acquisition to tiie com- 
munity in which he has taken up his residence. 
He is an earnest supporter of the public schools, 
and is a school trustee of his district. He is a 
liberal and conservative Democrat in politics. 
In 1874 Mr. Steele was united in marriage with 
Miss Catherine Ernst, the daughter of John 
and Mary (Younglove) Ernst. Her father was 
a native of Germany, and her mother was born 
in Massachusetts. Mrs. Steele was born in 
Ohio. To this marriage have been born four 
children, viz.: John E., Henry B., Jay and 
Benjamin L. 

^.|^,..^3 



ETER SCHMIDT, of Russian River Town- 
jtvi^ ship, was born in Gernnin}', near the 
^ Rhine, October 23, 1824, and is a son of 
Anton and Catherine (Issala) Schmidt, the father 
having been a land-owning farmer. Peter 
Schmidt was reared at the home place, and re- 
ceived the advantages of a common-school edu- 
cation. In 1850, going to Liverpool, he took 
passage tliere on a vessel bound for America, 
and landed at New York after a voyage of six 
weeks. He soon went as far west as Illinois, 
and located at Galena, where he went to work 
in the lead mines. In 1854 he came' to Cali- 
fornia, making the journey across the plains, 
with a party made up in the vicinity of Galena. 
Tiiey crossed the Missouri River at (Jouncil 
Bluifs, and Mr. Schmidt arrived in Rinmas 
County, California, August 8, his trip having 
lasted to that time from April 20. He was 
engaged in^mining until 1859. After that he 
spent some time in traveling over California, 
and finally located in Lake County, coming 



from there to his present location in 1873. He 
has a place of five acres on Bailhache avenue, 
across the river from Ilealdsburg. He set out 
this place to hops in 1885, and though his land 
is not large in extent, he has made it remunera- 
tive by his careful attention and his knowledge 
of the hop business, his yard yielding an aver- 
age of 1,500 pounds per acre. Mr. Schmidt 
has traveled extensively over the Pacific coast, 
and has resided in Arizona, Utah and Nevada, 
in the latter State two years. He was njarried 
to Mrs. Mai'garet Sheridan, a widow, whose 
maiden name was Kane. By her first marriage 
she has two cliildren — Thomas and .\braham. 
Politically Mr. Schmidt is a Lenioerat. He is 
a member of the I. O. O. F. and F. ct A.M. 
lodges. 



•g?{^ J. PARKERSON, roadmaster of Mendo- 
ftfc- cino district in 1888, has a ranchof forty 
^1® acres on the west side of Dry Creek, 
twelve miles from Ilealdsburg. He has eight 
acres in vines, which average three years in age, 
the leading varieties being Zinfandel and Golden 
Chasselas. He also has an orchard of one acre, 
planted to a variety of fruit. Mr. Parkerson is 
a native of Winnebago County, Illinois, born 
nine miles from Rockford, July 27, 1856, his 
parents being J. C. and Maud (Killington) 
Parkerson, both of whom were born and reared 
in England. In 1862 the family went back to 
England, but a few months later started for 
New Zealand. There they lived three years and 
three months, and, at the expiration of that 
time, came to California, landing at San Fran- 
cisco June 10, 1866. For a year and a half 
they resided at Oakland, and tlien removed to 
Contra Costa County, where they lived on a 
ranch until 1870, in which year the}' removed 
to Sonomji (]i)unty, finally settling on a ranch in 
Russian iiiver Township. C.J. Parkei'son was 
but ten years of age wlien the family came to 
California. He received his education mostly 
in Contra Costa County, and at Petaluma. In 



UISrOHY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



tlie latter place he was in the livery business 
four years, and was engaged in V^allejo Town- 
ship before couiing to his present location. He 
was married in this county to Miss Annie East- 
lake, a native of Illinois, born in Bureau 
County, near Princeton. Her parents, Mr. and 
Mrs. Edward Eastlake, now reside in Cloverdale 
Township. Mr. and Mrs. Parkerson have three 
children, Eva, Herbert and Pearl. Politically, 
Mr. Parkerson is a Democrat, and takes an 
active interest in public aiFairs. He is a mem- 
ber of Healdsburg Lodge, K. of P., and is an 
enterprising young man, who commands the 
respect and confidence of all who know him. 

'^-^■^ 



fPETITDIDIER has a ranch of seventy 
acres on the west side of Dry Creek, six 
" miles from Healdsburg. He lias about 
fourteen acres in vinevard, averacrincr about five 
years in age, the vines being Zinfandel and 
Mission. Two aci-es are in orchard, thirty-five 
years old, the fruit mostly apples. The rest 
of the place is devoted to general farming pur- 
poses. Mr. Petitdidier is a native of Depart- 
ment of Vosges, France, born July 22, 1834, 
his parents being Joseph and Marie Ann 
(Lambli) Petitdidier, the father a farmer. The 
subject of this sketch was reared in his native 
country, and in 1856, going to Havre, took 
passage on a vessel bound for America. He 
landed at New York July 4 from &\\\\) Mercury, 
and at once went to Illinois. He located at 
Ottawa, and engaged in the manufacture of 
plows for Drew & Meyerhofier. Having learned 
the wheelwright trade in France, his mechan- 
ical knowledge now stood him in good stead. 
After being employed at Ottawa three years he 
came to California, via New Orleans and Te- 
hauntepec, arriving in San Francisco December 
1, 1858. He went to the mines in Nevada, and 
was engaged in mining there and in Siskiyou 
County for some time. From there he went 
back to France, but one year later he returned 
to San Francisco. He had a route of the San 



Francisco Guide for nearly three years. Since 
that time he has been farming. Mr. Petitdi- 
dier was married while on his trip to France, to 
Justinia Cherrer. They have two children — 
Julian and Victor. Mr. Petitdidier is a mem- 
ber of Franco-American Lodge, No. 207, 
L O. O. F. 



1|^ENDERS0N P. HOLMES, one of the 
r \ repi-esentative farmers of Santa Rosa 
~^i Valley, and a California pioneer, is a 
native of Tennessee, and dates his birth in Bed- 
ford County, November 21, 1821. His parents 
were Phinchas and Rachel (Stewart) Holmes, 
the former a native of North Carolina, and the 
latter of Georgia. When he was about two 
years old his parents moved to Carroll County, 
Tennessee, and in 1836 emigrated to Arkansas, 
settling in Benton County. Mr. Holmes was 
reared to a farm life, receiving in his youth but 
a limited education. Early in 1849 he joined 
an emigrant party from Arkansas and the Cher- 
okee Nation, and started across the plains for 
the Golden State. This party was under the 
command of Captain Evans, who brought them 
to their destination after a journey of five 
months duration. Immediately after his 
arrival Mr. Holmes commenced mining in 
Yuba County, and continued this occupation 
until the fall of 1850, when he located near 
Marysville, and engaged in farming and stock- 
raising. He also engaged in the business of 
supplj'iug the miners with beef In the fall of 
1851 he returned, via the Isthmus of Panama 
and New Orleans, to Arkansas. While there 
he purchased 300 head of fine milch cows, and 
in the spring of 1852 he started upon his second 
trip across the plains, bringing his stock with 
him. Upon his arrival he located in Sonoma 
County, on lands which be still occupies. Mr. 
Holmes was successful in his enterprise, and 
was among the first to introduce* American 
cattle stock into Sonoma County. In 1853 he 
visited Texas, and returned with a large drove 



BISTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



729 



of cattle from that State, lie continued his 
stock-growing enterprise for a nnmher of years, 
visiting Texas and Arkansas several times for 
the purpose of procuring American cattle. In 
185'l, while on a visit to Ai'kansas, he married 
J\liss Mary E. Smith, a native of Tennessee, and 
daughter of J'ressley R. and Mary (Woodruff) 
Smith. Her fathei- was a prominent citizen of 
Washington County, Arkansas. Returning to 
}iis liome in Sonoma Cvounty Mr. Holmes con- 
tinned his stock enterprises, and also engaged 
extensively in general farming. In 1860 his 
l)i-other, Calvin H. Holmes, who had heen asso- 
ciated witli liim in business, removed to Knight's 
A'alley. Mrs. Holmes died July 13, 1806. In 
1869, in Collin County, Texas, Mr. Holmes 
married Mrs. Rebecca Oldham, widow of Leigh 
Oldham, a native of Carroll County, Tennessee. 
Her parents were John and Susan (Anient) 
Ilutfman, natives of Kentucky. During his 
long residence here IVIr. Holmes has taken a 
prominent part in developing the varied re- 
sources of Sonoma County, and is also associated 
with its civic and political history. Politically, 
he is a Democrat, being a leader in his party, 
and having represented it many times in county 
and State conventions. In 18()2 and "63 he was 
the county treasurer of Sonoma County, and in 
1878-''79 he was a member of the constitu- 
tional convention that gave to California its 
present constitution. He has always been a 
liberal supporter of schools and churches. He 
is a member of Santa Rosa Lodge, No. 52, F. 
A: A. M., and also of Santa Rosa Chapter. 
The magnificent farm owned by Mr. Holmes 
contains 394 acres of hill and valley land, loca- 
ted about two and one-half miles north of Santa 
Rosa, on the Santa Rosa and Healdsbnrg road. 
He has a vineyard of 200 acres, producing wine 
grapes of the Zinfandel, I'urger, Riesling and 
Mission varieties. Ten acres are in orchard, 
yielding a large variety of the choicest fruits 
grown in the county. The rest of his land is 
devoted to grain, hay and stock. Mr. Holmes 
has for many years spent much time and 
expense in the improvement of the stock of 



Sonoma County. '\'\w first of the famous 
"Argyle" horses ever brought to this county 
was brought by Mr. Holmes, from Arkansas. 
He has some fine horses of the " Anteo" stock, 
and also some tine Jersey cattle. His farm is 
thoroughly cultivated and improved. From 
the iirst marriage of Mr. Holmes thei'e are now 
living two children: Ilachael and Frank II. 
The former is a teacher in Miss Chase's sem- 
inai-y at Santa Rosa, and the latter is in the 
United States postal service, having been the 
agent who had charge of the first United States 
mails going by the all-rail route from Portland, 
Oregon, to San Francisco. From the second mar- 
riage there is one child, Ella Elizabeth. Mrs. 
Holmes is the mother of two children from liei- 
former marriage, viz.: William Oldham and 
Leigh (JIdham. 



fUDGE AMOS M. RAKEIi, of Mendocino 
Township, is a native of Ontario, Canada, 
born twenty-two miles west of Toronto, 
August 3, 1836, his parents being George and 
Harriet (Grace) liaker. The former was a na- 
tive of Ireland and the latter of Maine. .\. AL 
Baker was reared in Canada, and in Michigan 
fifteen miles west of Detroit. In iMiO he cuine 
out to California via New ^'orlc and Panama, 
leaving home about the Iirst ot Octohcr and 
arriving in San Francisco one month later, his 
vessel having a race with the Mofie Taijlor. 
Three or four months after arriving in San 
Francisco he went into the i-edwood region 
tributary to Redwood City, and made shingles 
for a man named Purdy Ferris. He then started 
for lioise mining camp in Idaho. (letting to 
the slide of the Ilundioldt, his horse died and 
he joui-neyed on afoot, liehind him, and going 
in the same direction, was a band of cattle, and 
from the drovers he tried to buy a horse. I'aiU 
ing in this he hired to them and afterward en- 
tered into partnei-ship with them, buying cattle 
in Santa ('lara (.ounty and driving them to 
Boise, to the John Day country, etc. In 1866 



730 



niSTOHY OF SONOMA COUNTT. 



lie came to Sonoma County and bought a place 
above where he now resides. He was also en- 
gaged for two 3'ears in stock-raising on a ranch 
he had Iwnglit in the hills. He was married in 
this county, iXovember 8, 1873, to Miss Julia 
Rebecca Derrick, a native of this county and 
dan crhter of Joseph A. and Elizabeth (Thompson) 
Derrick. Her father was born in Tennessee, 
but roared in Missouri. Her mother was born 
ill Portacre County, Ohio, fourteen miles from 
llavenna. Her father who was a soldier in the 
Mexican war, came here in an early day, and 
died in this county August 4, 1880, and his 
widow died in May, 1887. The Judge and 
Mrs. Baker have seven children, viz.: Joel 
Franklin, Harriet, Lydia, ]\[illie, Grace, Chris- 
tobel and Lewi.-;. Politicalij, Judge Baker is a 
staunch Jlepulilican, and takes an active interest 
in public affairs. He was elected justice of the 
peace in 1884, and was the Republican candidate 
in 1888. He is a member of Healdsburg Lodge, 
A. (). U. W. His tine ranch contains 160 
acres and is situated on the west side of Dry 
Creek, seven miles from Healdsburg. About 
fourteen acres are in grapes, of which ten acres 
are Mission and tlie rest mostly Zinfandel with 
a few other varieties. The remainder of the 
place is devoted to general farming purposes, 
with tlie exception of four acres in peaches, and 
one in ajiphs, pears and ]ilums. 

-^.3^MC'^°"S&k.^^==S,- 



tEVI Til KENS, of "Washington Townshi]i, 
is a native of, Fayette County, West V^ir- 
ginia, born October 19, 1824, his parents 
lieing James and Susan (Skaggs) Likens. At 
the outbreak of the troubles with Mexico, Mr. 
Likens went to St. Louis, and there enlisted in 
the service of the United States. His command 
proceeded to Fort Leavenworth, but was there 
discharged, as it was decided that no further 
additions to the army were needed. Three 
weeks later Mr. Likens went to Platte County, 
Missouri, and there resided until the fall of 
1S49, when be took charge of a train to take 



supplies to Santa Fe, for the commission laying 
out the boundary line between the United States 
and Mexico. It was the intention of Mi-. 
Likens to proceed to CJalifornia, but he had to 
lay idle at Santa Fe for three months, waiting 
for a party from Missouri bound for the Pacific 
slope. Out of the original train of 300 peo- 
ple, Mr. Likens came through with a party of 
thirty, and their route took them through Mex- 
ico and Arizona to California. They proceeded 
to San Diego, where they took steamer for San 
Francisco, arriving there January 5, 1850. He 
went to Sacramento on a little sloop, being tliree 
days on the trip, the rain descending all the 
time. From there he went to Weaver Creek 
with his party, they packing provisions, blankets, 
etc., on their backs. On reaching the mines 
they went to work at once, and the first day J\lr. 
Likens took out $10 in gold. That was the 
smallest day's work he did, while the highest 
netted him S75. P.efore a year had passed, he 
was taken sick and was compelled to leave the 
camp. He went to San Jose and was one of the 
first to sow wheat there. He was the first mill- 
wright to work on the mill of James Lick, who 
offered him $9 a day for five years to run it 
after it was finished. He made his home in a 
cabin with Mr. Lick. He, however, declined to 
accept Mr. Lick's offer, as he had decided to go 
back to Missouri, which he did b}' the way of 
Panama and New Orleans. Everything was 
flourishing at his old home and he went into 
the stock business, so remaining until his health 
broke down. He lost $40,000 by fire and the 
ravages of war. He was very extensively en- 
gaged in business, some of his interests being a 
grist mill, saw-mill, cotton factory, besides hav- 
ing steamboats plying on the Missouri River. 
He decided to again come to California, and in 
1873 he located at Georgetown and engaged in 
quartz mining. Afterward he went to Colusa 
County, and from there to Mendocino County, 
where he was engaged in sheep raising. His 
next location was a ranch one mile south of 
Cloverdale, where he resided four years. After 
living in Oaklaml one year he bought the ranch 



HISTORY OF SOiiOMA COUNTY. 



731 



now owned by Hon. Robert Briggs, wliich he 
sold since moving to tlie place where he now 
resides. Mr. Likens was married in Missouri, 
to Miss Eliza N. Hunt, a native of Clay County, 
Missouri, reared in Platte County. Tiiey have 
had tliree children, of whom one is living — 
James L. — who resides at Ilopland. Those who 
died were Zilf'a Susan, aged three, and a boy 
two years of age. Mr. Likens is a Democrat 
politically, and takes an active interest is public 
attairs, though he has never been an office seeker. 
After he was burned out in Missouri his friends 
wanted him to run for sherifl', but he declined. 
He prefers a retired life and devotes his time to 
his ranch, which consists of 130 acres, four 
miles from Plealdsburg, on the road between 
that place and Cloverdale. He has about five 
acres in apples, pears, plums, prunes, peaches 
and cherries, the trees having been planted in 
1882. All are bearing and yielding good crops. 
He also has about an acre in table grapes. 
Eighty acres of the ranch are devoted to wheat, 
of which an average crop is twenty-five bushels 
per acre. He usually has twenty acres of 
alfalfa, which is cut three times a year and from 
which he gets an average of six tons per acre 



(l)WARI) L. HATHAWAY. — Among 
the attractive residence properties in the 
beautiful Green Valley, in Analy Town- 
ship, is that of Edward L. Hathaway. It is 
located in the Oak Grove school district, about 
two and a half miles northwest t)f Sebastopol. 
A fine two-story residence, substantial out- 
buildings and hop dry house, surrounded hy 
well laid out grounds arrest the passer-by, all 
denoting the thrift and success that must attend 
the owner's operations in agricultural and horti- 
cultural pursuits. Mr. Hathaway "s landed pos- 
sessions, while not extensive are very productive. 
He has forty-three acres of land, of which twenty- 
seven acres surround his residence. Seven 
acres are devoted to fruit culture, producing 
splendid specimens of apples, peaches, pears, 



plums, cherries, figs, and also small fruits, such 
as strawberries, currants and gooseberries. Of 
vineyard he has nine acres producing the Zin- 
fandel wine grape. J^ive acres in pasture fur- 
nish sufficient feed for his stock, which is only 
such as are needed for farm purposes. Tlic rest 
of this land is producing hay and grain. Sixteen 
acres of his land is situated on the Green Valley 
Creek, about one and one-half miles west of 
his liome farm and is all devoted tn hoji cultiva- 
tion. 



1^ G. LEE, one of tlie leading fruit growers 
l( of the Geyserville district, has a vahia- 
^^■^^ ble I'anch of thirty acres, on which lie 
has resided since 1878. He did not engage in 
fruit culture, however, until ten years later. In 
1883 he planted eighteen acres of fruit, and the 
following year added seven acres more. Among 
them are 1,400 peach trees, mostly orange cling 
and Crawford, equally divided, with a few other 
varieties. There are also 200 Bartlett pears and 
300 French prune trees, with some apples. He 
has found a market for most of his fruit with 
the Santa Rosa Packing Company. The orchard 
is in splendid condition, and its appearance re- 
flects credit upon the owner. Albert (i. Lee 
is a native of Holt County, Missoui'i, born .Jan- 
uary 7, 1852. His father, Pai'ton Lee, was a 
native of Tennessee, but an early settler in Holt 
C(iunty, Missouri. His mother, whose maiden 
name was Mary Harris, was born in Virginia. 
In May, 1SG2, the family started for California, 
and after a journey across the plains of five 
months and sixteen days' duration, they arrived 
at Healdsburg. There they lived nuc year, 
then bought a place a mile and a half south of 
Santa Rosa, which now belongs to Mr. liuuyon. 
In 1873 the family removed to (Jeyserville, and 
here the father died in ISSl. His wi<li>\v is 
now a resident of Santa Rosa. Albert G. l^ee 
A\as married in this county to Miss Ellen Jacobs, 
a native of Maine, and daughter of Mr. and 
Mrs. James B. Jacobs, who came to California 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



ill 1848. They residotl in Sacramento County, 
afterward in ^larin County, and from tliere 
)no\ed to Sonoma County wliere Mrs. Jacobs 
now lives, iier laisliand liaving died in tlie 
county in 1SS5. Mr. and Mrs. Lee liave four 
children, viz.: Jennie, Addie, Fred and Llojd. 
Politically, Mr. Lee is a Democrat. He lias 
taken an active part in ilevelopino- the fruit in- 
terest ill his iieighiiorhood, and now has an 
orchard second in appearance to none in tlie 
couiitv. 



f ON RAD WAGELE, of Mendocino Town- 
ship, is a native of Germany, horn in 
Baden, >.'ovcinl)er lo, 1841, his parents 
heing John and Louisa (^Oshwald) Wagele. 
There the father was a large randier, having 
240 acres of land. Conrad "Wagele w'as reared 
at his native ])lace, attending day school from 
the age of six to fourteen years, and Sunday- 
scliool till twenty years old, and in the mean- 
time assisting his father on the farm. In 1863 
lie sailed from Havre to New York, and hav- 
ing arrived at tlie last named port, set out for 
Chicago. He was employed on a farm twenty- 
two miles from Chicago for about two montlis, 
tlien spent about three months in the city. 
l'"roni there he went to Oconto, Wisconsin, 
where he worked in saw-mills and timber for 
a ye: r and a half, and in the fall of 18G4 came 
to California via New York and Panama, land- 
ing at San Francisco from the steamer Sacra- 
'inento, on the T^h of September. After making 
an effort to obtain employment in the city and 
failing, he went to the country, getting work at 
Fort lloss. Two years later he went to the 
mines of British Columbia, during the time of 
the Big P)end excitement. Four inontlis later 
he went to Washington Territor}', where he 
worked in a saw-mill on J>lue Mountains, ad- 
joining the Oregon line. He worked eight or 
ten months, making shingles, etc., for the Walla 
Walla market, thence went to the mines of 
Montana, and was about tVnir years in Washino-- 



ton Gulch, ten or twelve miles from Beartown, 
engaged in mining, with fair success. He tiien 
went back to the old country, visited his father 
and relatives and then returned to California, via 
Hamburg, Boston and the Pacific llailroad. He 
located at St. Helena, bought a place, set out a 
vineyard, erected a winery and commenced the 
manufacture of wine. From tliere he moved 
to his present location in August, 1881. He 
was married in Napa County to Miss Doris 
Lohmann, a native of Germany. They have 
one child, Charley. Mr. Wagele's ranch, con- 
sisting of seventy-seven acres, is located on Dry 
Creek, and is distant from Geyserville three and 
one-fourth miles. He put up his present hand- 
some residence in 1881, and in the spring of 
1882 set out twenty-one acres of grapes, to which 
he lias since added until he now has twenty- 
eight acres. The vines are as follows, with num- 
bers of each stated: Chasselas, 0,500; Riesling, 
G,000; Zinfandel, 4,000; Black Malvoise, 1,200; 
Mataro (Upright Burgundy), 2,500; Biirgen, 
1,000. The vineyard is kept in splendid con- 
dition, and nearly all vines are in bearing. Mr. 
Wagele has one acre in orchard, all old trees. 
He raises about one acre of alfalfa, and in four 
cuttings gets three tons. Li 1887 four acres of 
wheat hay turned out fifteen tons. In 1881^ he 
built his winery which is two stories in height, 
with ground area of 46 x 22 feet, exclusive of 
porches, which are two in number and ten feet 
wide. His crushing is done on the second floor, 
and throughout tlie winery only im])ro\ed ma- 
chinery is used. He has storage capacity for 
20,000 gallons of wine, the product having a 
high reputation and commanding a ready sale. 



^HISEPPE LAFRANCHL— Among the 
nfe successful dairymen of Sonoma County, 
^W^ is the self-made gentleman whose name 
heads this sketch. He stands as an example of 
what energy, industry and straightforward manly 
dealing will do in any calling. A brief sketch 
of his life is of interest and is as follows: Mr. 



Iir STORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



733 



Laf'rarichi is a native oF Switzoriiuid iiiul was 
born in Tessin Canton of tl'iat Republic in 1843. 
lie was tlie son of Joseph and Catlieriiie l^a- 
franclii, liotli natives of the district of his hirth. 
When lie was hut eight years of age he had the 
misfortune to lose his father, who went to Austra- 
lia, dying there after a few months residence. Mr 
Lafranchi was educated in the schools of his na- 
tive home until fifteen years of age. At this 
youthful age, in 185S, he started in life for 
himself, following the focjtsteps of his father, 
going to Australia. Landing in Melbourne, he 
sought such work as could l)a had and engaged as 
a waifei' in a hotel. After some mnnllis of this 
labor he went to the mines, a!id there engaged 
in various occupation. He was also employed 
as a ranch hand. In 1862 he went to New 
Zealand and engaged as a wood chopper and a 
miner until 18()7. In that year he returned to 
his native home in Switzerland, where he en- 
gaged in the dairy business. There he married 
Miss Eugenia Ileghetti in 186'J. She was the 
daughter of John Antone Ileghetti, a native of 
Switzerland. Mr. Lafranchi, desirous of im- 
proving his condition, left Switzerland in 1871, 
and emigrated to the United States. Upon his 
arrival in IS'ew York, he immediately sought 
the golden west, and came to Sonoma County, 
locating at I'etaluma, where he worked in the 
dairy business. After some months thus spent 
he went to Nevada and engaged at labor as a 
charcoal burner. This work not being suited 
to his tastes, he returned to Petaluma, and was 
employed at hi.-, old i.iccupatio?i as a dairy hand 
for ;i few month^. He then went to work at 
farm labor near i'rescott, Marin County. Al- 
ways industrious and econotnical, he saved 
some mimey and then started in business on his 
own account by taking up a quarter section of 
government land, and establishing a small dairy. 
This he increased gradually until he became 
desirous of eidarging his business beyond the 
capacity of his 16U acres, lie cons"<piently 
returned to Sonoma ('ounty and rented land from 
John Walker in Santa Kosa Township. This 
he stocked, and conducted his business there 



until 1882. In that year he purchased 310 
acres of rich bottom land on the Santa Rosa 
and Sebastopol road, five miles west of Santa 
llosa, and there took up his residence. Mr. La- 
franchi has a fine dairy of fifty cows, all of good 
graded stock. He is a thorough master of his 
calling and his products — always of the best — 
command the highest market ])rices. His farm 
is mostly devoted to hay, grain, and stock pur- 
poses. He has but five acres of orchard, but 
the varied products, such as apples, peaches, 
prunes, plums, etc., all yielding well, show that 
his lands are well adapted to horticidtural jiiir- 
poses. Mr. Lafranchi although not ;t long 
resident of Santa Kosa Township, has by his 
honest dealing, and manly course, made many 
friends. He is a pul)lic spirite<l and progressive 
citizen. In political matters he is a strong 
Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Lafranchi have five 
children, Adela, Oliinpia, Clara, Eldorado and 
Marino. 



tDAM IJARTH resides on the Santa Rosa 
and Healdsburg road, one mile south of 
Windsor, in the ^VMndsor school district. 
He is the owner of 152 acres of rich and pi-o- 
ductive land, well adapted for the cultivation of 
the varied productions of Sonoma County. 
Thirty acres of this land arc ])roduciiig wine 
graj)es of the Zinfandel and Goodell varieties. 
He also has a large variety of table grapes for 
family use, and two and a half acres of orchard 
gi\e him a large variety of the most apjiroved 
fruit, such as apples, peaches, pears, French 
prunes, plums, cherries and figs. The balance 
of his farm is devoted to liay, grain anil stock. 
Among the latter are forty head of Spanish 
merino sheep, and twenty head of cattle, im- 
proved by Durhairi stock; also some fine speci- 
mens of draft horses. This farm is under a 
high state of cultivation and the improvements 
are noticeable, particularly his beautiful two- 
story residence, in which he has comliincd the 
comforts and conveniences that characterize the 



734 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



well ordereil inodcni lioiiie. Mr. Earth was 
born January -i. 1811t. lie is a native of Prus- 
sia and his parents, Jacob and Christina (Fox) 
Barth, were also natives and residents of tiic 
])!ace of his l)irtii. Ilis father was a well-to-do 
fanner and liis early life was spent on his 
father's farm. Afterward he eni^aged in mechan- 
ical and cheiuical pursuits, and was schooled in 
tlie practical details of the manufactureof paints, 
oil. etc. In 1842 Mr. Barth came to the United 
States and soon after his arrival in New Vork. 
secured employment in the large paint works at 
Poughkeepsie, New York. He was the efficient 
foreman of those extensive works for many 
years, or until 1854, when he entered into Iiusi- 
ness upon his own account, establishing large 
paint and oil works in Poughkeepsie. He con- 
ducted this business until 1856. In that year 
a fire destroyed his works, sweeping away all 
his property and destroying the accumulations 
of years of toil. He had no means with which 
to rel)uild his mannfactorj'. Nothino; daunted 
he started for California with the determination 
of retrieving his fortunes. He came in- the 
steamer route, and upon his arrival in San Fran- 
cisco, proceeded to Sacramento County, where 
he engaged in mining until 1857. He then went 
to Nevada and located at Austin, where he es- 
tablished a wholesale liquor store, and also en- 
gaged in the manufacture of vinegar. He 
remained there until the great excitement 
sprung up over the White Pine mining dis- 
trict. He was one of the first arrivals at that 
place. The second building ever erected at 
White Pine was built by Mr. Barth, the lum- 
ber costing him $300 per thousand feet. He 
early saw that more money was to be made in 
some legitimate Imsiness than mining, and he 
l)uilt and established the first brewery in that 
district — the Philadelphia Brewery, lie also 
engaged in the li«|Uor trade and vinegar manu- 
facturing. These enterprises were successfully 
conducted by him until he saw the collapse that 
was to follow. He then sold out his business 
interests at a good round j)rice and came to So- 
noma County in 188(5. Upon his arrival he 



purchased a farm about one and a half miles 
north of Windsor, where he engaged in farming 
and stock-raising until 1880, when he sold out 
and purchased his present residence. Mr. Barth, 
during his residence in Sonoma County, has 
gained the respect and esteem of the commun- 
ity. His success in life lias been the result of 
straightforward, honest dealing, and sound busi- 
ness principles. In politics he is a strong Re- 
publican, but is conservative and liberal in all 
local matters. In 1845 he married Miss Cath- 
erine Lahr, daughter of Henry Lahr, a nativ* 
of Hesse-Darmstadt, (rermany. Her father 
was a soldier under Napoleon I. ,Vfter t!ie war 
he emigrated to the United States, and located 
in Orange County, New York. From this 
marriao-e three children are living, viz.: Adam 
H., Louise and Mary E. Adam H. is unmarried 
and is living upon iiis father's farm, which he 
manages and in wiiich he has an interest. He 
is an enterprising, industrious and practical 
farmer, and the successful results produced 
upon his farm are due to his efficient manage- 
ment. He is a member of Osceola Lodge, No. 
215, I. O. O. F., of Windsor. Louise married 
Frank E. Curtis, of Sonoma County. He died 
in 1883, leaving one child, Edwin Barth Curtis. 
Mrs. Curtis and son are members of her father's 
familv. Marv E. is also residing at home. 



-<s-^-4^ 



r'S: JINEIl II. KNAPP.—For thirty years the 
(' \ subject of this sketch has been Identified 
'^'"^- with the business interests of Bloomfield, 
and he has done much toward developing the 
resources of that section of the country. A brief 
sketch of his life, herewith given, is of interest. 
Mr. Knapp is a descendant of one of the old 
families of New England. His father, AViilia:n 
Knapp, was a native of Connecticut, who located 
in ^ew York in 1808; and his mother, Saraii 
(Seeley) Knapp, was also born in (^Connecticut. 
Mr. Knapp was born in Sullivan County, New 
York. January 7, 1824. His father was a mill- 
writdit and lumber dealer, and in early life the 



in.sroHY OF SONOMA COUNT y. 



subject of this sketch was scliooled in inechiuii- 
cal pursuits, first us a wood- turner aiul then as 
a carriage-maker. At tlic age of twenty years, 
in 1844, he went to Delaware County, wlierc lie 
engaged in farm labor for about a year, and then 
established a turning shop. After that he 
located in Shandaken. Ulster County, where he 
worked at hi> trade as a tiiiMier, as well as car- 
riage-making and other occupations. In the 
fall of 1847 he i-ctiinied t(.i Fallsburg, and en- 
gaged in the mercantile bnsiness until March, 
1^51, when he moved to Ituckland and engaged 
in farming, and also built a saw-mill on the 
Willemack, whi(di he ojicrated, rafting his lum- 
ber to Philadelphia. In 1855 he returned to 
Fallsburg and ran a market line to Newburg 
until December, 1857, when lie left New 
York for California, via the Isthmus route, and 
arrived in San Francisco January 14, 1858. 
After a short stay in that city he came to Sonoma 
County and located at llealdsburg, where he 
worked at his trade until the fall of that year, 
when he came to JJlooiiilield. Upon his arrival 
here he worked at his trade as a carriage-maker 
for some months, ainl then established a shop 
for the manufacture and rejiair ot' wagons, 
agricultural implements, etc. Mr. Kuapp has 
successfully conducted this business since that 
date. In 1873 he established a general 
merchandise store, which business he is still 
conducting, lie has made many improvements, 
has purchased a large brick store, livery stable, 
dwelling-houses, etc., and is the owner of some 
of the finest projtcrty in liloomfield. In 1873 
he was a])pointed postmaster, a position he has 
lield since that date. He is also notary public. 
Mr. Kiiap|) is one of tlie representative men of 
his section. Progressive and pui)lic-sj)irited, he 
has done much in advancing the interests of his 
section of the county. Politically, he is a Ke- 
juiblican, but is liberal and conservative in his 
views. He is a i^rominent member of Ploom- 
field Lodge, No. I'Jl, I. O. O. F. Mr. K'napp 
went to New York for his family in the fall of 
1860, returning to Bloomfieid in the fall of 1861, 
and had some trouble when passing through 



JS'ew Y'ork City on account of the draft incident 
to the outbreak of Southern hostilities. Janu- 
ary 1, 1848, Mr. Knapp married Miss Harriet 
Hare, a native of New York. She died August 

4, 1872, leaving the following named children: 
(Miarles H., (iciieral W., Denman L. and Sophia 

5. Tlie latter was the wifeof W. J. Mills, both of 
whom are deceased. They left three children — 
Ilattie. AVilliam and Allie Mills. Charles H. 
married Miss Mattie McAllister, of Sonoma 
Comity, and they are now (1888) living in 
IloUisteii, San lienito County. (Tcneral AV. 
married Miss Alice Hamilton. Thev make 
their home in Bloomfieid. Mr. Ivnajij) was 
married again to Miss Ella J. Eastman, of Uls- 
ter County, New York. They have one child-— 
(Miarles A. Mr. Denman L. Knaj)p is a resident 
of nioomfield, and is engaged with his father in 

■conducting his mercantile enterprise. 



^^JIAllLESAVlLPUltSAVA(,E.— Thesub 
illlvi ■l^'^'- *^^' '■'^'''^ sketch was born in AVindsor, 
%?^' Kennebec County, Maine, on the 17th of 
January, 1854. He moved with his father in 
1857 to Lee County, Illinois, where the family 
remained three years, and then remo\cd to 
Auburn, Sangamon County. At the age of 
eighteen .Mr. Savage commenced the study of 
dentistry at Edwardsville, Illinois, but at the 
end of a year he conchuled t<.i stu(iy I'oi' the 
practice of medicine. To <io this he taught 
school during the winter months to pro\ide 
the wherewith to jirosecute his studies. .\t 
the age of twenty-two years he graduated at 
the Homeopathic Medical College of Missouri, 
at St. Louis. This was in 1876, and he 
stai-ted immediately for California, and for a 
time located at Marysville, where he devoted 
a portion of his time to [irofessional work, 
remaining in and about Marysville for a year 
and a half In the fall of 1877 he came to 
Sonoma Coiinly, locating at Santa Kosa. Deem- 
ing the field a better one for <lentistry than 
medicine, he opene 1 up well-arranged dental 



736 



HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



rooms iinil has built up a good business. But 
outside of his j)rotession Dr. Savage liiids time 
to perform well his part as an active, enterpris- 
itipr citizen. He is one of the trustees of the 
Santa Rosa Library Association; an<l as an 
Odd Fellow, has passed every chair belonging 
to the subordinate lodges of that order, and ha- 
l)ecn a delegate to all Grand Lodges and En- 
campments of the order in tlie State, and also 
held offices in the same. Dr. Savage is a typi- 
cal American wlio has fought his way up in 
life liy dint of energy and pluck, lie is a gen- 
tleman who stands high in the community in 
which he resides, respected and esteemed by all 
wliii know him. During hisresidence in Marys- 
ville he was united in marriage with Miss Julia 
(4. Hempstead, daughter of Dr. W. C. F. Hemp- 
stead. This marriage has been blessed with 
three children, all daughters: Tessie L., born 
Deceml)er 1, 1877; Florence W.. March 30, 
1882 (now deceased), and Helen Gertrude, 
July 4. 1885. 

^^TKFHEX AKERS.— No personal or local 
"l^t history of Sonoma County or tiie bcauti- 
""^ ful Sonoma Valley would be considered 
complete without a more than passing mention 
of the pioneer and representative man whose 
name heads this sketch. The facts, in brief, in 
i-egard to his life and advent into Sonoma County 
are of interest. Mr. Akers is a native of 
Patrick County, Virginia, and be dates his birth 
J uly 8, 1815. He is a descendant of one of the 
old families of the Old Dominion. Nathaniel 
Akers, his father, was a native of Franklin 
County, his motiier, Elizabeth Akers, was also 
a native of Virginia. Mr. Aker's early life was 
spent upon his father's farm, receiving such an 
education as the common schools of that date 
afforded. Being of an ambitious and self-reliant 
disposition, he started early in life to seek his 
fortunes in the newer States of the AVest, and 
in 1831, at the age of si.vteen years, he located 
in Saline County, Missouri, where he was en- 



gaged in fanning and stock-raising. In 1832 
Mr. Akers joined a party of traders atid with 
tliein made a trip through the southwestern 
Territories, this expedition e.\tending into New 
Mexico. A comj)any of United States soldiers 
accompanied and convoyed the trains, and estab- 
lished some of the frontier ])osts. In 1834 Mr. 
Akers wa^ united in marriage with Miss J^etlia 
Snead, a native of \'irginia. Mrs. Akers 
parents, Thomas and Cynthia (Penn) Snead, 
were descendants of the Penn colonists. Her 
mother was a direct descendant of the historic 
William Penn. the founder of the colony. In 
1850 the subject of this sketch started overland 
for California. This long and toilsome journey 
was accomplished by the typical ox teams of the 
period, ami aside from the usual luirdshijis en- 
countered upon plains, mountains, etc., was 
devoid of any startling incidents. October 11. 
1850, he arrived in Sonoma County and located 
in Sonoma Valley, antl engaged in teaming, etc., 
until the next year. He then purchased a tract 
of laud about four miles south of the town of 
Sonoma and commenced his career as a fanner 
and stock-grower. The rich and fertile soil was 
then in its wild and uncultivated state, but the 
energetic and well directed efforts of Mr. Akers 
soon produced good results and ere long he had 
one of the representative farms of the section. 
Although devoting his time principally to iarni- 
ing occupations he also engaged in other 
business enterprises, and in 1853, he, in part- 
nership w'ith AVillis C. Goodman, established a 
general merchandise store at San Luis, better 
known as the Embarcadero, which business was 
successfully conducted for two or three years. 
Mr. Akers is now (1888) the. owner of 114 
acres located on his original tract, at what is 
now Shellville, on the Santa liosa and Cai- 
(|uinez Railroad, in the San Luis school district. 
The most of the land is devoted to general 
farming, producing hay, grain and stock. His 
land is well adapted to the varied products of 
Sonoma Valley, as attested by the fine fruits 
grown in his family orchard, and eight acres of 
vineyard which, in addition to producing wine 



IIISTORT OF SONOMA COUNTY. 



grapes of the Zinfandel variety, also produces a 
large variety of table grapes. For nearly forty 
years the subject of tiiis sketch has been ideiiti- 
iied with the growth and progress of Sonoma 
Yalley. Ills long residence, consistent mode 
of life, and sterling (pialities have gained him 
the respect and esteem of the coinmunity in 
which he resides. In the earlier days he was 
called upon to take a pi-ominent part in the 
atl'airs of the county, and in 185G and 1857 was 
the supervisor of his district. In 1858 he was 
elected justice of tlie peace of Sonoma Town- 
sliip, a position wiiich he held until 18(54. He 
was a strong supporter of the ]iul)lic schools, 
and was one of tlie drst school trustees of So- 
noma, and for many succeeding years held tiiat 
office, lie is a prominent member of the Ma- 
sonic fraternity, was one of the charter members 
of Temple Lodge, JS'o. 11, F. A: A. .A[., which 
was organized in 1851. In p )litici[ matters, 



Mr. Akers is a consistent Democrat of the -^ci'- 
fersonian stamp. From the marriage of Mr. 
and Mrs. Akers there are five children living, 
viz.: Harriet, (!ynthia, Montgomery, Ellen, 
and Martlia. Harriet married K. 15. Lyon, and 
resides in Sonoma. Cynthia is the wife of Willis 
C. Goodman, living in Sonoma County. Flleu 
married William Cassebohin (deceased]. Slie is 
now (1888) living under the parental roof. 
Martlia married Charles Dillon, residinjj; in 
Petaluma. Montgomery married Miss Mary Hen- 
derson, a native of Jackson County, Missouri. 
From this marriage there are two children, 
Willie May and Stephen. Mr. Montgomery 
Akers and family are residing ui)on the oM 
home-tead, where he is associated with lii:^ 
father in CDuducting the fanning operations. 
He is also the postmaster of Shell ville, being 
the first postmaster ever appointed at this ofK.'e. 
whicli was estaljlished in 1888. 



LRpf' 



j78 



